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Spreadsheet

Screen CaptureSpreadsheets 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, solve problems, and even develop new questions about a topic. This assignment is designed to provide an opportunity to use spreadsheets first as a teacher productivity tool then as a learning tool integrated into your planned thematic unit of instruction.

Explore these links to discover ways that teachers are using spreadsheets as a tool to support student learning.

Assignment
 Use Microsoft Excel to create a spreadsheet that tracks student performance. First, construct a spreadsheet for calculating student grades. Next, create a column chart to visually illustrate part of your gradebook data (we will construct this gradebook during lab).

Construct a second worksheet (another tab in the same Excel workbook) demonstrating how you can use a spreadsheet as a learning tool within your planned thematic unit to support student learning with regard to one of your unit's learning objectives. Align this idea for using spreadsheets as a learning tool with INTASC Standards 4 & 11. You must follow the Reflection Guidelines to successfully complete this aspect of the assignment.

Examples (as PDF files—nonfunctional)

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NOTE— While there are a variety of spreadsheet applications for all grade levels, you are required to use Microsoft Excel to complete this project.

Step 1: Create a gradebook for calculating student performance.

  • This worksheet should track grades for six class assignments (header row):
    • project 1
    • project 2
    • quiz 1
    • quiz 2
    • paper
    • test
  • Record the scores for these six assignments for 15 students (rows 2-16). Record these scores as points.
  • Below all the student scores (row 18), include the points possible for each assignment (you can decide how many points are possible for each assignment).
  • Using a formula, calculate an average score for each assignment (row 19).
  • Using a formula, calculate the total points earned by each student and the total points possible (column H).
  • Using a formula, calculate a percent score (Column I) for each student based on the student's total points and the total points possible.

Step 2: Create a chart to visually illustrate student performance

  • Insert a column chart that compares the average score for each assignment and the points possible for each assignment.
  • Position your chart so that it does not overlap your gradebook data.
  • Label the X and Y axis accordingly and include a chart title to identify what data is being represented. Your chart should also include a legend, clearly identifying what data the columns represent.

Step 3: Create a learning tool worksheet

  • Using your thematic unit description as a reference, design an activity that integrates the use of a spreadsheet to help students learn with regard to one of your stated objectives from the thematic unit description.
  • In Excel, construct a separate worksheet (in the same workbook) as the spreadsheet learning tool for this activity.
  • Incorporate at least two different formulas OR a chart or graph (labeled descriptively) that is based on live data in the spreadsheet. Of course, you may choose to use both formulas and a chart if you desire.
  • At the top of the learning tool worksheet, explain (to your students) what they will learn by completing the activity, how it relates to the overall thematic unit, and specifically what they are to do to proceed (directions for the activity below).
  • Respond to the four reflection prompts, aligning this activity with INTASC Standards 4 and 11. Follow the Reflection Guidelines to successfully complete this aspect of the assignment.

Step 4: Submit your assignment

  • Upload your spreadsheet file (a single MS Excel file), named "yourlastname_SS.xls", to the Assignments area of eLearning. You can submit the assignment as an Excel 2007-2008 file (.xlsx) or the older 97-2004 format (.xls).
  • Copy and paste your written reflection into the Submission box before submitting the assignment.

Points: 80

INTASC Standard 4 and 11

Point Structure

Gradebook (26pts)
At least 15 students are represented 2
All students' scores are entered 2

All formulas exist (2pts each) and function correctly (2pts each)

12

Column chart inserted as directed above

  • Chart does not overlap spreadsheet data (1 pt)
  • Single chart illustrates average score and points possible for each assignment (4 pts)
  • Chart includes labels, including title, points and assignments (4 pts)
 9
Data presented on chart and columns is legible 2

Learning Tool (44pts)

Top section of the worksheet: Brief explanation for your students describing what students will learn, how it ties to the thematic unit, and directions for how to use the learning tool.

  • What students will learn (2pts)
  • How the activity relates to the overall thematic unit (2 pts)
  • Directions for how to use the learning tool (4 pts)
8

Lower section of the worksheet: Actual learning tool example.

  • At least two different formulas are used to calculate data OR at least one chart or graph is used to represent data on the worksheet (8 pts)
  • Formulas function correctly OR chart/graph accurately represents the data on the worksheet and is descriptively labeled (12 pts)
  • Learning tool demonstrates how one can support student learning with regard to INTASC Standards 4 and 11 (7 pts)
 27

Reflection: Copy and paste into the Submission box of eLearning Assignments

 8

File Management & Spelling/Grammar (10pts)

File management:

  • A single Microsoft Excel file named "yourlastname_SS.xls" (or .xlsx) is uploaded to the Assignments area of eLearning (2 pts)
  • Reflection submitted in the Submission box of eLearning Assignments. (2 pts)
  • Both worksheet tabs in the workbook are labeled descriptively (i.e. Gradebook & Learning Tool). (1 pt)
  • Images (if used) are cited according to fair use guidelines (1 pt)
 6

Accurate spelling and grammar

 4

Special Notes:

  • Submit your project by attaching a single Microsoft Excel file (.xls or .xlsx) in the Assignments area of eLearning. Copy and paste your written reflection into the Submission box before submitting the assignment.
  • You should only submit one Excel file (workbook), but that single workbook will include two separate worksheets. Do not submit more than one Excel file.
  • You must use Microsoft Excel to complete this spreadsheet project. Assignments completed with other software will not be graded.
  • Check to ensure that any charts you've included in the assignment are labeled accurately and descriptively.
  • Be sure to include all three required elements in the top section of your learning tool.


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UNIPage updated: September 29, 2009
Ed Tech & Design Instructors, Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction, University of Northern Iowa