Have fun with spreadsheets?
Many adults have trouble with the notion of having fun when they use spreadsheet programs. (Maybe they think of spreadsheets only as programs to use for boring things in their workplaces.) This is a bit like knowing Superman only in his Clark Kent disguise!
Young kids, bless them, do not feel this way about spreadsheets, especially if they are introduced to them the right way. The main secret I have found in this regard is to redefine spreadsheets from the learner's point of view -
Spreadsheets are software that can be used in basically three different ways:
(a) Like a piece of grid paper
(b) Like a hand-held calculator, and
(c) Like a simple programming language
Even students in Year Four can enjoy using spreadsheets like a piece of grid paper. Teach them how to create a table to record some facts and figures if you like. Better still, show them how to narrow the column widths on a work sheet. Then you get them making pentimo shapes or creating crosswords and wordsearches. They will also enjoy games locating cells using A1, B2 style references as well.
Many teachers avoid showing their students that they can do calculations in spreadsheet cells by typing something like = 25+36*4 . Their own teachers, particularly if they too first met spreadsheets as adults, probably wanted to push ahead and get them using cell references in formulae. I have found there are real benefits in getting young students to set out their typical maths problems neatly using a spreadsheet rather than a piece of paper and a hand-held calculator.
Using cell references in formulae to link cell contents together and make chains of calculations is a form of programming. This is no big deal for students when they understand the problems they are dealing with and can see immediate benefits from using cell references such as saving time and effort. Using spreadsheets in that sort of situation reinforces their "paper and pencil" learnings.
Nowadays, writing formulae is also much easier than in the past. Forms are available when you want to insert functions. For simple formulae, once you have typed = , you can, for example, just point to and click on the cell contents you want to use. In addition, using Autofill saves a lot of thinking about repetitive code.
Building on what students already know (Constructive learning) makes more sense than teaching Spreadsheeting as an isolated set of skills for doing unfamilar and complicated things. It is a pity more teachers or curriculum planners do not realise this.
Still not convinced that spreadsheets can be fun, even for adults? Thousands of people have shaken off the "Spreadsheets are business tools." mindset typically pushed by textbooks, mainstream computer magazines and, of course, spreadsheet teachers
Try doing a Google search pairing "spreadsheets" with the name of practically any "non-business" human activity that interests you. You may be surprised by what you find. .
Just for fun, for instance, I did a search pairing "spreadsheets" with"Rock and Roll". Amongst others, I found a site produced by a guy calling himself "Mr.Excel". He claims to have used a spreadsheet program ( not Microsoft Excel) to help a lady who wanted to belt out rock'n'roll tunes on her player piano.
As a teacher by trade ( I still do substitute teaching.) I am particularly interested in using spreadsheets as mindtools in all parts of the curriculum.
Anyone care to comment?
