Do you need to update your computer applications curriculum for Microsoft Office 2019? You’re not alone!
With dozens of Microsoft Office 2019 textbooks out there, how can you decide which one is right for your classes?
While working with computer teachers across the country, we’ve heard about a few common choices.
The four most popular Microsoft Office 2019 textbooks are:
- Microsoft Office 365 & Office 2019 Introductory
- Illustrated Microsoft Office 365 & Office 2019 Introductory
- Building a Foundation with Microsoft Office 2019 & 365
- Microsoft Office 2019 Inside Out
In this blog, you’ll learn the details of each textbook to help you decide which one is right for you and your students.
1. Microsoft Office 365 & Office 2019 Introductory
- Authors: Sandra Cable, Steven M. Freund, Ellen Monk, Susan L. Sebok, Joy L. Starks, and Misty E. Vermaat
- Retail Price: $179.95
Microsoft Office 365 & Office 2019 Introductory uses a step-by-step instructional approach to teach students how to use four Microsoft Office applications -- Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access.
The book organizes these instructions into 12 chapters:
- Word 1: Creating and Modifying a Flyer
- Word 2: Creating a Research Paper
- Word 3: Creating a Business Letter
- PowerPoint 1: Creating and Editing Presentations with Pictures
- PowerPoint 2: Enhancing Presentations with Shapes and SmartArt
- PowerPoint 3: Inserting WordArt, Charts, and Tables
- Excel 1: Creating a Worksheet and a Chart
- Excel 2: Formulas, Functions, and Formatting
- Excel 3: Working with Large Worksheets, Charting, and What-If Analysis
- Access 1: Databases and Database Objects: An Introduction
- Access 2: Querying a Database
- Access 3: Maintaining a Database
Each chapter introduces concepts and skills in relation to completing a specific project, such as a flyer or budget.
If you’re interested in a project-based approach to teaching Microsoft Office, this textbook could be a great choice for your classroom.
However, it’s important to note that this book encompasses both Microsoft Office 2019 and 365.
While these versions of Office are similar, there are detailed differences in some features and screens within the applications.
This could potentially cause confusion for your students if they refer to the incorrect instructions or graphics!
2. Illustrated Microsoft Office 365 & Office 2019 Introductory
- Authors: David Beskeen, Carol M. Cram, Jennifer Duffy, Lisa Friedrichsen, and Lynn Wermers
- Retail Price: $179.95
Illustrated Microsoft Office 365 & Office 2019 Introductory is designed to teach the basics of four common Microsoft Office applications.
The textbook has 17 chapters related to tasks that can be completed by using each application:
- Word 1: Creating Documents with Word
- Word 2: Editing and Formatting Documents
- Word 3: Formatting Text and Graphics
- Excel 1: Getting Started with Excel
- Excel 2: Formatting a Worksheet
- Excel 3: Analyzing Data Using Formulas
- Excel 4: Working with Charts
- Integration 1: Integrating Word and Excel
- Access 1: Getting Started with Access
- Access 2: Building Tables and Relationships
- Access 3: Creating Queries
- Access 4: Working with Forms and Reports
- Integration 2: Integrating Word, Excel, and Access
- PowerPoint 1: Creating a Presentation in PowerPoint
- PowerPoint 2: Modifying a Presentation
- PowerPoint 3: Inserting Objects into a Presentation
- Integration 3: Integrating Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint
Each chapter is focused on a single learning outcome, as described in the chapter title.
These learning outcomes are broken down into detailed tasks, which are explained using both text and images.
Overall, the chapters are meant to teach these skills in relation to real-world scenarios to help students better understand their importance.
Additionally, this book includes specific chapters that teach students how to use multiple applications together to create more detailed projects.
Any teacher who wants to incorporate real-world examples that use multiple applications would find this text useful.
However, similarly to the previous book on the list, this one includes both Office 2019 and 365. That means it’s best for you to review each chapter in detail prior to letting your students get to work.
3. Building a Foundation with Microsoft Office 2019 & 365
- Authors: Alec Fehl, Alex Scott, Ben Linford, and Ian Ewell
- Retail Price: $155
The book includes 20 chapters organized into six units:
- The Big Picture
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Access
- Multitasking with Office Apps
The first unit introduces the basics of Microsoft Office, including common features found across the applications. This is extremely helpful for students who have never used Microsoft Office before!
The subsequent units are made up of chapters that dive into the uses of each application, such as using Word to create business documents.
Each chapter includes learning objectives, images, and step-by-step instructions to help students complete tasks as part of an overarching project.
Overall, Building a Foundation with Microsoft Office 2019 & 365 is a great choice for an introductory computer applications class.
Though, just like the first two textbooks we’ve shared, this one includes two versions of Office.
If you choose this book for your classroom, keep an eye out for any section that could trip your students up!
4. Microsoft Office 2019 Inside Out
- Author: Joe Habraken
- Retail Price: $49.99
Microsoft Office 2019 Inside Out teaches students how to use five Microsoft Office applications more effectively by highlighting lesser-known tips and shortcuts.
In total, you’ll find 29 chapters across six main sections:
- Getting Started with the Office Applications
- Word
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- Outlook
- Publisher
Each individual chapter focuses on one aspect of the related application, such as working with tables in Word or formatting worksheets in Excel.
Within a chapter, you’ll find step-by-step instructions with images that walk students through each concept and skill they will learn.
Along with the standard instructions, this textbook has “Inside OUT” sections highlight related shortcuts and advanced options for some features.
Best of all, Microsoft Office 2019 Inside Out includes sections on Microsoft Outlook and Publisher.
That means if your standards include objectives for either of those applications, this book could be just what you’re looking for!
Which Microsoft Office 2019 Textbook Is Right for You?
Now that you’ve learned about four common Microsoft Office 2019 textbooks, you should have a better idea of what you want (and don’t want) in a new textbook.
As you research further, it’s important to consider that there are other instructional material options than just textbooks!
Some teachers choose test prep materials while others create their own curriculum from free resources found on the Internet.
In our experience, we’ve found that teachers have the most success teaching Microsoft Office when using a digital curriculum system.
One of the biggest reasons teachers have made the switch from textbooks to digital curriculum is that a digital system keeps up with changes to applications without you needing to purchase an entirely new resource!
Want to find out if digital curriculum is the right option for you?
Click below to read a detailed comparison between textbooks and digital curriculum!
