Students like this. If your class is too large do this by groups. U se the spread sheet program you know and have students do a project with that. Then collect the diskettes and review them at your convenience. Be careful of viruses.
Students can handle the spreadsheet projects well.
W eb resources are so rich I would be hesitant to have you do this first. I guess I would need to know what course you are planning to use the web in. Her students are doing well with this project. You know she is developing a laptop course where students will be using the computer, special simulations, and the web in class. That may be too advance for you to start with.