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Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are powerful tools in the classroom. As a productivity tool, teachers use them to manage information about their students, assessment data, and classroom materials. However, spreadsheets can also be very effective learning tools to model ideas and encourage students to analyze data, be inquisitive and develop critical thinking skills. Students can use data displayed in charts to identify patterns or trends and answer complex questions.
The following are some general examples of learning tools. Explore these to discover a variety of ways that teachers use spreadsheets to support student learning.
- Handout from spreadsheet introduction in lab
- Graphing in Spreadsheets (scroll down to 3rd in the list, click Pie Charts, then Start Lesson)
- Spreadsheet Tools from 2Learn.ca education society
- Spreadsheet Activity Ideas
- Dr. Christie's Using Spreadsheets in K-12 Classrooms
- School Spreadsheet Safari
- Spreadsheet Activities for the Classroom
- Tony Vincent's Blog - Tiny Spreadsheets
Examples These are nonfunctional image files intended only to illustrate how spreadsheets can generally support learning. These were not designed specifically to support collaboration as you are required to do with your webquest project.
Assignment
Create a tool to help students calculate, analyze, or otherwise apply information gathered within their individual roles of the WebQuest activity. This should be a tool specifically designed to support group collaboration. It should help students work together to synthesize and apply the information they have each gathered individually and advance their group's progress towards completing the culminating task of the webquest.There are a variety of spreadsheet applications for all grade levels, but you are required to use Microsoft Excel to complete this project. The collaboration tool you create should be referenced within the Process section of your webquest and available to download as an attachment at the bottom of the Introduction page.
Note—Microsoft Excel is available in all campus computer labs. UNI students can also purchase Microsoft Office at a reduced price from ITS User Services.
Requirements
If you choose to use a spreadsheet to support collaboraiton within the WebQuest project, at least one of the following must be incorporated to enrich the activity:
- at least two different formulas or functions to calculate relevant data in the same worksheet
- one or more charts based on relevant data in the spreadsheet and labeled descriptively
Of course, you may use both formulas and charts when designing the collaboration tool. For example, the data you want represented in a chart might first need to be calculated elsewhere in the spreadsheet through the use of formulas or functions.
Include a set of directions at the top of the collaboration tool. Write these directions to your students explaining:
- the purpose for using the tool
- how the tool should be used as a group to collaboration using information related to the culminating webquest task
- directions for using the tool including what data to enter or manipulate and what to observe
The use of formatting such as color, text size, borders, shapes, etc., should be used consistently to make the tool inviting and usable for learners and to reinforce the organization of information.
Spelling and grammar are included in the assessment of this project (up to 10%). Inspiration has a spelling checker utility in the Text menu.
Submitting
Attach this tool as a MS Excel file (.xls or .xlsx) to the bottom of the Introduction page of your webquest. If you don't see the Attachments area at the bottom of that page, go to More Options > Page Settings to enable it. The collaboration tool should also be referenced within the Process section of your webquest.
You are not expected to submit this collaboration tool directly in eLearning. We will assess it within your WebQuest project.
Reflection
You are not asked to submit a separate reflection for this collaboration tool until you create your digital portfolio when you will align it with INTASC Standards 4, 6 and 11 following the Reflection Guidelines.
Spreadsheet Point Structure
Directions are provided at the top of the collaboration tool and describe to students:
- the purpose for using the tool (2)
- how the tool should be used as a group to collaborate using information related to the culminating webquest task (2)
- directions for using the tool including what data to enter or manipulate and what to observe (4)
8
At least two different formulas are used to calculate data OR at least one chart is used to represent data on the worksheet 8 Formulas function correctly and/or charts accurately represent data on the worksheet and are labeled descriptively 6 The use of formulas or chart enriches the activity 4 Tool demonstrates how to effectively support collaboration 8 The activity is a logical extension of the WebQuest 4 Formatting such as color, text size, borders, shape, etc. are used consistently to be inviting, usable and to reinforce the organization of information
2 Spelling & grammar (-1 per error) (up to 10%) File is attached at the bottom of the Introduction page of the webquest (10%) Special Notes:
- You must use Microsoft Excel to complete this spreadsheet project. Other formats will not be accepted.
- You are not expected to submit this project directly in eLearning. We will assess it within your WebQuest project. It should be attached at the bottom of the Introduction page.
- Be careful not to attach a shortcut file (.lnk) in your webquest. After attaching your Excel file, confirm that the name ends with ".xls" or ".xlsx"
- Save your project on your USB Flash drive as a backup and for future reference. You will need a copy when developing your digital portfolio.
Page updated: February 9, 2010
Ed Tech & Design Instructors, Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction, University of Northern Iowa
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