Wiki Wednesday: Integrating Spreadsheets

by John Spencer

The first time I used the word "spreadsheet" in class, a group of girls giggled. When I asked what they were referring to, one girl confessed. "It sounds wrong. Like, 'Hey, I'm going to spreadsheet about you, even if it's not true.' You know what I mean?" Over time, she learned a new meaning of spreadsheet, in the form of a valuable mindtool that she could use to analyze data.

The following is the beginning of a wiki about using spreadsheets for learning. You can access it at Spreadsheets for Learning. To add to it, simply type the access key: commons.

Spreadsheets for Learning

Sample Programs / Sites
Google Spreadsheets - enable multiple users to work simultaneously
EditGrid - like Google Spreadsheet, but more like Excel in its approach
Microsoft Excel - an offline traditional spreadsheet program
Open Office Spreadsheet - a freeware alternative to Excel

Category: Mindtool
Spreadsheets fall into the basic category of mindtools, because they fundamentally transform the way that students use computers for learning. Unlike passive technology or basic word processing, a mindtool is a type of technology tool that helps the students analyze, synethesize and construct learning.

Classroom Uses
Math

• Statistical analysis
• Learning about which types of graphs to use
• Advanced math
• Budgets

Reading

• Analyzying elements of literature among various books - seeing trends
• Keeping a reading log
• Creating visuals for analytical writing

Science

• Collecting and analyzing data
• Lab write-ups
• Comparing / analyzing trends among different experiments
• Charts for astronomy
• Physics labs
• Science Fair projects - part of the analysis

Social Studies

• Budgets (see math) for Economics
• Community Needs Assessments for service learning
• Political polls and survey analysis
• Statistical analysis for war casualties
• Using it in a Problem-Based Learning activity

Writing

• Organizing pre-writing (for students who prefer something linear yet flexible)
• A log for research papers - allowing students to create categories and sub-categories
• Adding visuals to the creation of analytical and functional text