1 - Introduction ~5 mins
Today closes Module 1
Finish your table document, export the PDF, and bank KA2. That is today's job.
If your first table still feels rough, that is normal. Today is about making it clear enough to hand to a real reader, not making it fancy. Your teacher will show the full SM1 KA2 wording on the board; you focus on a clear table document with real gathered information.
This is evidence a teacher can submit for SEC credit, and a polished table document you can reuse for Work Experience, a small enterprise pitch, a community proposal, or another LCA Student Task.
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Gather project-relevant information and present it in one or more clear tables
- Edit and format a table-centred document to best-practice standard
- Bank Specialism Module 1 Key Assignment 2 and complete Module 1 reflection
Warm-up
Think of one set of real numbers or facts from your Something Real project that would be clearer in a table than in a long paragraph. You might use one of these stems:
- Prices: "I have researched costs for …"
- Work Experience shifts: "My dates and hours are …"
- Contacts: "People or places I need listed are …"
If your list is short, that is fine: pick the thin-data minimum you will use in Portfolio Build (for example five real prices, five shift rows, or five contacts). Who needs to read that table?
2 - Key Concepts ~5 mins
KA2 is not "any document with a grid in it". The table carries the information, short text explains it, and the page looks finished enough to hand to a real reader.
| Concept | Why it matters | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Information gathered — real project facts, not invented filler | Empty or fake rows will not bank as KA2 evidence | Real prices, Work Experience shift rows, or placement contacts |
| Table-centred document — table does the main job; short purpose above, brief read-out below | A long essay with a tiny buried table is the wrong shape | One-page cost summary with bold headers and right-aligned amounts |
| Bankable KA evidence — working file plus PDF in the evidence folder | Teachers need files they can open and verify for SEC credit | {{code:sm1_ka2_table_document.docx}} and matching PDF in {{code:04_evidence}} |
Worked example skeleton
Your teacher will project this shape (phone-accessory stall). Your content will differ; KA2 needs this structure, not this exact row count.
- Title (Heading 1): Phone accessory cost and stock summary
- Purpose (2–3 sentences): who it is for and what decision the table supports
- Main table: Item | Supplier | Net (€) | VAT (€) | Gross (€) — bold header row, a few real data rows, currency columns right-aligned
- Read-out: one short note (dearest item, cheapest item, one decision)
- Header: your name and a short document label (e.g. project title or KA2)
3 - Step-by-step Task ~14 mins
Follow the steps to build a short worked-example table document. Use the sample phone-accessory data. This is practice for structure, alignment and PDF export — your Key Assignment document next will use your Something Real information.
Save the practice file in {{code:Project_Portfolio/09_specialism/sm1/01_drafts/}} as {{code:sm1_ka2_practice_table}}.
4 - Common Issues ~3 mins
Common Issues
Folder reminder: Practice PDF stays in {{code:01_drafts}}. KA2 working file + PDF must both be in {{code:04_evidence}}.
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| My table looks cramped or columns are uneven | Drag column borders so labels and numbers fit on one line. Prefer fewer wide columns over many skinny ones that wrap every word. |
| My euro amounts do not line up | Select only the number cells in Net, VAT and Gross, then use Align right (Home alignment in Word Online; toolbar align-right in Google Docs). |
| I am not sure what information counts as "gathered" | Use real project facts: prices you researched, a schedule you keep, contacts for a placement, stock you actually track. If a cell is guesswork, replace it before you ask the teacher to bank KA2. |
| My PDF export is missing or the file is in the wrong folder | Practice: keep working file + PDF in {{code:01_drafts}}. KA2: put both in {{code:Project_Portfolio/09_specialism/sm1/04_evidence/}}. Word Online: {{menu:File -> Save as -> Download as PDF}} (or Export). Google Docs: {{menu:File -> Download -> PDF document (.pdf)}}. The PDF lands on this device first — upload or move it into the matching cloud folder so it sits beside the working file. |
5 - Portfolio Build ~23 mins
Portfolio Build: KA2 banking
Must-have order: (1) table data → (2) PDF in {{code:04_evidence}} → (3) reflection draft. Your teacher will circulate for KA sign-off. Call them when your table data is in (mid-point check), then again when the PDF sits beside the working file. Reflection can be short bullets under the three headings; catch-up is allowed if you do not finish every sentence today.
- Open {{code:Project_Portfolio/09_specialism/sm1/04_evidence/}} (create {{code:04_evidence}} inside {{code:sm1}} if it is missing).
- Create {{code:sm1_ka2_table_document.docx}} there, or open an earlier table document from this module, upgrade it to KA2 quality, and save it under that KA2 name in {{code:04_evidence}}. Do not leave the only copy as {{code:sm1_ka2_practice_table}} in {{code:01_drafts}} — KA2 evidence must be {{code:sm1_ka2_table_document.docx}} in {{code:04_evidence}}.
- Build or upgrade the content: short purpose line, one or more clear tables of real gathered project information (bold headers, numbers right-aligned where they are amounts), brief read-out underneath, your name in the header. Right-align and PDF use the same paths as practice (Word Online: Home Align Right; {{menu:File -> Save as -> Download as PDF}} or Export. Docs: toolbar Align right; {{menu:File -> Download -> PDF document (.pdf)}}).
- Export a PDF copy. The PDF downloads to this device first — upload or move it into the same {{code:04_evidence}} folder so both the working file and PDF sit side by side in Project_Portfolio.
- In the same {{code:04_evidence}} folder, create {{code:sm1_module1_reflection}}. Use the three Module 1 prompts below as short headings and write at least one honest sentence under each (bullets are fine).
- Show your teacher for KA2 verification (and KA1 if that file is already banked).
- {{code:sm1_ka2_table_document.docx}} is saved in {{code:Project_Portfolio/09_specialism/sm1/04_evidence/}} with a matching PDF export beside it in the same cloud folder
- The document is table-centred: at least one well-structured table of real gathered project information, clear headers, short purpose statement, brief read-out
- Layout is easy to scan (consistent formatting, readable right-aligned numbers where relevant)
- {{code:sm1_module1_reflection}} draft started in the same {{code:04_evidence}} folder: three prompt headings plus at least one sentence under each (full polish can sit on the catch-up list)
- Must-have today: KA2 pack ready to show. KA1 (coursework document + skills explanation) is already filed or noted on the catch-up list — not invented in this block
Module 1 reflection prompts (use as headings in {{code:sm1_module1_reflection}}):
- Which Module 1 technique most improved how your documents look or work?
- How will you use one Module 1 skill in Work Experience, another LCA course, or your Something Real project next?
- What is still hardest in word processing, and what will you practise first in later modules when documents support presentations or research?
Unlock the full learning experience
You're previewing this lesson. Get full access to this lesson and hundreds more — each one ready to teach, with interactive activities, printable resources and pupil progress tracking built in.
This lesson is copyright of Coding Ireland 2017 - 2025. Unauthorised use, copying or distribution is not allowed.