EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES

Spreadsheets
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Overview
Spreadsheet software is used for storing and analyzing large amounts of information, usually numeric information such as finacial information or grades.  Spreadsheet software originated as an electronic form of ledger books used in financial accounting.  The use of spreadsheet software has since expanded to be of use when analyzing any type of information.  All spreadsheet software allows you to arrange and sort information and then also perform basic or advanced calculations by creating formulas for performing these calculations.  Most common calcuations, such as calculating a SUM, or AVERAGE, etc. are built into te spreadsheet software allowing for quick and easy functions that automatically update when new data is entered.

Spreadsheet programs are another key example of productivity software. Such programs greatly simplify the accomplishment of educational tasks. A spreadsheet should be used to organize numeric information, providing the user with useful summary information such as, averages, totals, etc.

Spreadsheet software has become a standard tool in organizing and working with data of various sorts. The idea of spreadsheet software came from the concept of "ledger" books used for accounting purposes where financial transactions would be entered into columns and rows of a paper spreadsheet and then total sales, expenses, etc. would be calculated by hand on the spreadsheet. A good example of a simple spreadsheet is a checkbook log, where the name of who the check is written to is recorded in one column, the amount of the check in another, and any deposits to a checking account in yet another column. to balance a checkbook, then, all that is necessary is to calculate the total deposits, and subtract the total expenditures.

This basic example, however, is only a small fraction of what spreadsheet software is capable of. The first difference between spreadsheet software and ledger books is the ability to have to software calculate mathematical formulas, like column totals, automatically. Spreadsheet software can also calculate much more complex mathematical formulas, such as standard deviation, as easily as it can calculate something as simple as a sum.

Spreadsheets are sometimes confused with databases; however there are basic differences. While in general it is only possible to work with numbers and text, spreadsheets provide numerous possibilities for problem solving, numerical analysis and statistical calculations. Most spreadsheet programs also offer features which allow you to view your data in the form of charts and graphs.

There are many ways teachers can implement the use of spreadsheets into the classroom environment. Unfortunately, even though spreadsheets are used by students and teachers to some extent, their maximum potential in education is perhaps under-utilized. Using a spreadsheet to keep track of data during a research project ensures that students keep good records and enables them to analyze their data to develop results. Calculating averages and sums can be an effective way to share findings with others; in addition, manipulating data is an essential skill for all students to learn. Teachers may also find spreadsheets useful for developing instructional materials. For example, keeping track of scores and determining grades becomes highly simplified. Once created, a spreadsheet will automatically update calculations as more data is added.

Many different spreadsheet programs are available, including Microsoft Excel, Corel Quattro Pro, FoxPro and ClarisWorks. This module will focus on the Microsoft Excel and AppleWorks (formerly ClarisWorks) programs for PC's and Macs. Once you understand how to use these programs, using other spreadsheet programs will be fairly straightforward. If you are using ClarisWorks or AppleWorks, the instructions provided here for AppleWorks can be used for either application.

Tutorials

Practice Activities

• MS Excel Activity #1
• MS Excel Activity #2
• AppleWorks/ClarisWorks Activity #1
• AppleWorks/ClarisWorks Activity #2

Microsoft Excel

• http://www.fgcu.edu/support/office2000/excel/
• http://www.bcschools.net/staff/ExcelHelp.htm
• http://www.baycongroup.com/el0.htm
• http://www.barnard.edu/at/training/excel/index.html

Microsoft Works

• http://its.guilford.k12.nc.us/resource/techinstruct/ssdir/ssdirtc.htm