Spreadsheet Mania

In your Weblog - create an entry describing the spreadsheet activities we did in class. Include any observations you have regarding the activity and how spreadsheet programs can be used in your teaching.

We used google docs spreadsheet to create a college budget and a magic squares. The magic squares I use as a fun introduction to spread sheet formulas. It gives the kids a puzzle to figure out to see how flexible spreadsheets are. It is an enjoyable activity that allows them to work at their pace. I am able to get around the room and help those that need it while the ones who get it have fun solving the problem. The budget exercise shows many of the functions that a spreadsheet can do. It demonstrates the variety of information that can be calculated in a spreadsheet.

I use spreadsheets for a wide range of subjects. Having the students create grading spreadsheets, budgets, tally weather stats, calculate averages, keep track of inventory, and monitor prices on a wish list. The list is endless as for the learning objectives spreadsheets can be used for.

This class gave me many useful sites to explore for spreadsheet lesson ideas. Lessonplanpage. Com, nettrecker and nara.gov all came in very handy. There were so many great ideas on these sites and through the nettrecker search engine that I am set for this year. Also the information on the web site evaluation will come in very handy with my students. The kids need to be skilled at finding reliable information especially with the vast amounts on the Internet.