As starter ideas that can be molded into unique and exciting projects, the HyperStudio Connections provide teachers with concrete products for student performance assessment. In the tutorials section, six examples teach topics starting with basic spreadsheet operations and progressing to the use of more advanced spreadsheet features. This demonstrates the basics of spreadsheets in a friendly and non-intimidating way. The Cruncher 2.0 offers 20 all-new Learning Projects that provide examples of how spreadsheets can be useful in every classroom, as well as in everyday life. In addition, they require students to gather data independently by reading the local newspaper, charting their television viewing habits or visiting the community recycling center.
Students create pie charts to display and compare their findings.
Notebook - Attached to each spreadsheet, this includes a simple word processor where students can keep notes about their spreadsheets, explain formulas or write a detailed report. Sticker Picker - A library of over 300 new stickers and sounds can be included anywhere in spreadsheets, charts, graphs or the notebook. Students can also personalize presentations by importing sound and graphics from the Internet and other programs. By clicking on any spreadsheet cell with a formula, then using the Show feature, students can see the breakdown of each step in an equation. This helps them understand how results are derived and is a useful tool to math teachers.