This week's assignment has been around spreadsheets and how they might be used in an educational setting. I have been using spreadsheets for many years. Although I can't claim to have used VisiCalc, the first PC spreadsheet, I did use the early versions of Lotus 123. Lotus was the IBM PC version of VisiCalc, and as the PC took off Lotus 123 replaced VisiCalc as the most common spreadsheet.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_123
Since then I have continued to use spreadsheets for all parts of my job. Although we don't often think about it in this manner, a well crafted spreadsheet can actually be a very insightful tool. It can help you organize your thoughts, compare pieces of data that might otherwise not be viewed together, and can help you reach conclusions. Spreadsheets are a very common tool in scientific work, and the most interesting times are the ones where the numbers on the spreadsheet lead you to a totally different conclusion that what you were expecting.
The Google Docs spreadsheet also brings another aspect to this traditional data tool, namely collaboration. Suddenly you can share your spreadsheet in real time with many other people, and compare the data together. This would be a great tool for classroom discussions about what the data from a particular science experiment might mean, or how a family might be able to trim their budget to fit into their available income. It also has the added functionality of Forms. This allows you to create a survey, distribute it via email or a webpage, and then collect the results automatically in a spreadsheet. I can think of many uses for this, including providing foundational information for a class discussion, or to compare information from classrooms around the country.
Spreadsheets can be a very powerful tool, and one that all educators should keep in mind as they develop their lesson plans.
Hi John-
ReplyDeleteJust wondering if you, as a network coordinator, use spreadsheets in your line of work to share information with the employees. I would imagine that you use them to compare/contrast different materials, but have you been able to get that to the employees via something like Google Docs spreadsheets. Also, have they been trained to use something like Google Docs spreadsheets?
I can see teachers using GD spreadsheets to share information, but something that I hadn't thought of before is the privacy issue. Could we get into trouble if we shared student scores/percentages, etc. online even if only certain people would have access? Didn't think of that before - oops. Not sure if you have the answers even, it just popped into my head.
John,
ReplyDeleteFrom our group chat last week I know that you are very well versed in using spreadsheets. Was your ability to use them something you picked up throughout you working experiences or through classes???