using spreadsheets to enhance teaching and learning history, advantages, disadvantages, student...

Using Spreadsheets to

Enhance Teaching and Learning

History, Advantages, Disadvantages, Student Misconceptions, Classroom Uses,

and Activities Involving Spreadsheets

Electronic Spreadsheets

An electronic spreadsheet is analogous to an accountant’s ledger sheet. It contains rows and columns for entering character or numeric data.

Rows are arranged horizontally, while columns are arranged vertically. The intersection of both produces a cell. A collection of cells is known as a range.


Data is organized into columns and rows in a meaningful way to convey relationships and display information used for both simple and complex “number crunching.”

The electronic spreadsheet is a calculating tool.


One of its tremendous advantages is its ability to allow changes in data to affect the entire spreadsheet. Changes in one place are automatically applied to every cell dependent upon the cell changed.

Using the manual accountant’s ledger, changes in one place had to be erased and often, this produced errors of omission.


View the resources for information to see more on the definition of a spreadsheet and its organization.

Another extremely helpful feature of a spreadsheet is its ability to allow users to create charts or graphs. Many packages allow users to select from many different styles of graphs and use these to provide a visual representation of data and the relationships between data.


To numerical applications. To problems of description. To problems involving relationships. To problems involving analysis. To problems where large volumes of data

to be manipulated, saved, and compiled. To statistical applications.

Spreadsheets are calculating tools that can be applied:


Spreadsheets can be used across the curriculum in education.

They need not be confined to only one or two areas (i. e., math or science).

History of Spreadsheets

The electronic spreadsheet was created by two Harvard Business School Graduate Students in 1979: Daniel Bricklin and Robert Frankston.

With Bricklin’s idea and Frankston programming, they created an electronic accountant’s ledger to perform repetitive calculations associated with case studies, eliminate duplication, and use the computer’s rapid computational abilities to increase performance.


This initial spreadsheet application, VisiCalc, made its debut in 1979. It became the prototype of many other programs that were the first wave of electronic “number crunchers.”

VisiCalc was the forerunner for the second generation of electronic spreadsheets. The second generation came in 1982 with the introduction of Lotus 1-2-3, which was the first integrated software program.


Lotus 1-2-3 blended three programs together: graphics, spreadsheet, and database to extend the usability, functionality, and application of the electronic spreadsheet.

Lotus 1-2-3 was created for the IBM and IBM compatible. Mitch Kapor founded Lotus Development with Jonathan Sachs in 1982. They created a more powerful, user friendly, and integrated business based spreadsheet tool.


Third generation spreadsheet tools were integrated with extended capabilities (i.e., word processing, communications) to make them even more useful. For example, Symphony in 5 Movements developed by Lotus Development, Inc. .

Finally, the fourth generation of spreadsheet tools increases the capacity or size in terms of the number of rows and columns available for use. **This is now only limited by the user’s RAM.

Common Spreadsheet Packages

ClarisWorks Microsoft Works

for Windows

Microsoft Excel 1-2-3 for Windows SuperCalc

Spreadsheet Software in Teaching & Learning

Spreadsheet are also called worksheets. In Excel, many worksheets can exist within the same workbook.

Spreadsheets were the earliest application software available for microcomputers.

Spreadsheet Software in Teaching & Learning

An integrated software package includes a spreadsheet application, used to help students manipulate data, form conclusions, analyze, express relationships, document findings, and prepare material for distribution.

Teachers use spreadsheets most commonly for grade computation, the development of instructional materials, and lesson planning.

Spreadsheet Advantages

Calculations and comparisons Modeling What-if-analysis Range estimation Projection Automatic

recalculation

Spreadsheet Advantages

Time savings Creating charts Problem-solving Decision making Fill options Macros Real-world applicability

Disadvantages of Spreadsheets

Need for specialized software and hardware.

Time for planning and practicing Development of meaningful and useful

applications takes energy and effort. Data can be incorrect, and must be

reviewed and verified for accuracy.

Complexity surrounding formulas and their arguments.

Lack of detail in error messages often causes user’s frustration and wastes time.

Aspects of the spreadsheet can be applied incorrectly, due to incorrect assumptions, missing or inaccurate data.

Disadvantages of Spreadsheets

Student Misconceptions Using Spreadsheets

Understanding rounding versus formatting.

Creating formulas and supplying arguments.

Omitting parenthesis.

Correcting Student Misconceptions

Understanding rounding versus formatting.

Rounding changes the value in memory, while formatting is merely a change in the value’s appearance.

Creating formulas and supplying arguments.

Be very specific. Provide at least three examples of commonly used functions and their associated parameters. Use the system’s help facility as needed.


Omitting parenthesis. Follow the rule insisting that an even number of parenthesis is always used.

Student Misconceptions Using a Spreadsheet

Conversions between text and numeric data.

Placing data on one page.

Printing formulas.


Conversions between text and numeric data. Apply the appropriate functions and distinguish between those used for text and numeric data. Provide examples and show consequences of using inappropriate values.

Placing data on one page. Alter fonts, font sizes, margins, and

column/row designations.


Printing Formulas.Review formatting and tool options and provide examples.


Absolute versus relative referencing. Creating lookup tables. Plotting non-consecutive series of data.


Absolute versus relative referencing.

Show many examples of instances where data is copied or moved. Explain fixed data or having the move or copy reference an exact cell and its contents versus allowing the spreadsheet to apply values based on its position.

Creating lookup tables.

Break this into three or more steps. Explain the table, its position, referencing its contents, and replicating the formula.


Plotting non-consecutive series of data. Show students how this is done, and indicate where they should enter the ranges of different series.

Student Misconceptions Using Spreadsheets

Creating a formula. Understanding the

difference between a formula and a function.


Creating a formula.Make sure students know what symbol is needed to begin to create a formula.

Understanding the difference between a formula and a function.Explain to students that a function is a pre-programmed set of instructions invoked by name to perform a given task. A formula is a user-derived set of operations used in computation. A formula may or may not include a function.


Manipulating and using DATE functions.

Applying percentages. Displaying values (###)

column widths.


Manipulating and Using DATE functions.Thoroughly explain how DATE functions work and provide examples of correct usage. Explain how a date is represented, and whether or not it must be formatted by the student.

Applying percentages.Explain the concept, supply manual examples, and then, use the spreadsheet package to simplify, aid retention, and shorten procedures.


Displaying values (###) column widths. Change the size of the column, so that more data can be displayed.

Classroom Uses of Spreadsheets

Discrimination. Attendance charts. Simulations. Comparisons. Performance

assessment checklist. Exploring mathematical

constructs. Class inventory.

Teaching and Learning Activities for Spreadsheets

Demonstrations. Student products. Problem solving

activities. Storing and

analyzing data. Projecting grades.

Teaching and Learning Activities for Spreadsheets

Modified from p. 169 of Integrating Computer Technology into the Classroom by Morrison, Lowther, & DeMeulle.

Learning Objectives Spreadsheet ApplicationCalculate, Multiply, Subtract,

Divide, Add, SumCalculate temperature.

Change, Alter, Vary Determine the effect of profit if fixed prices increase.

Graph, Chart, Interpret, Analyze Determine where the greatest rainfall was within a state.

Explore, Compare, Discriminate, Relate

Compare the voting record for young and mature adults.

Estimate, Infer, Predict, Formulate

If wind speeds increase by 15-30mph, how much force will be

exerted on a billboard ?

SpreadsheetReference Material

Gary Bitter & Melissa Pierson Using Technology in the Classroom, 5th ed. 2002, Allyn

and Bacon; Boston

Priscilla Norton & Karin M. Wiburg

Teaching with Technology, 1998, Harcourt Brace College Publishers; Fort Worth

Gary R. Morrison, Deborah L. Lowther, & Lisa DeMeulle

Integrating Computer Technology into the Classroom, Merrill; New

Jersey

M.D. Roblyer, Jack Edwards, & Mary Anne Havriluk

Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching,

Merrill; New Jersey

Summary

Spreadsheets are calculating tools that can be used to solve problems involving data analysis, numerical computation, projection, estimation, interpretation, comparisons, and predication.

One of the biggest advantages of a spreadsheet is its ability to create graphs or charts that give users a fast and easy way to quickly interpret and observe relationships.

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