Spreadsheets making Data into something Tangable

Integration of using Spreadsheets in the classroom is a must. I remember life before speadsheets and having to collect data, calculate data, and then trying to show others research using graphs, charts, and accounting using ledgers and books. Spreadsheets make data manipulation and calculation much easier. It may take some work initially learning to use tools like Microsoft Excel but in the end it's worth it. I understand students get frustrated at just making spreadsheets on information they only use once. I've had to create spreadsheets using tons of information that took hours just to post the document and then start all over again for the next project. My statistics class was the worst! A simple page of 5 questions you had to answer could take days to finish. Looking back I don't think this was the best way to be introduced to how to use Spreadsheets.

Spreadsheets should be an on going assignment using the same spreadsheet but adding to it. I loved my Physics class were we used speadsheets to collect data then manipulated the data into multiple graphs representing different senarios and probabilities. Spreadsheets should be taught more in school since in the business world they are used daily. At work we use a spreadsheet template everyday then compile the data on those templates into a montly report showing productivity. In my classroom I will ensure students learn to create spreadsheet templates and compile data and utilize that data all through the year. Spreadsheets can be a great teaching tool since they can be used to compile vasts amount of data and turn it into something everyone can understand.