When I first read the syllabus and when I first came across the mindtool of spreadsheets in both our class discussions and the text, I was curious as to how teachers can use spreadsheets and Microsoft Excel in an elementary classroom? To me, spreadsheets have always been used by accountants and people sitting in cubicles just plugging in data. In fact, the only time I ever even opened Microsoft Excel was in college when my friend (who was going for accounting) claimed he developed a spreadsheet/formula/program that would predict NBA basketball winners (for the record it didn't work that well and my full proofed plan of becoming rich over night was shattered). So with my little knowledge on spreadsheets and an empty bank account because of spreadsheets and poor decisions, I was very interested in how we could use Excel as elementary teachers.
I think the coolest and greatest activities we can use with Excel is graphing data. With organizing, plotting, and interpreting data as one of Pennsylvania State Standards, that is a question the students will undoubtedly see on the WONDERFUL PSSA Test in March. With most children out there as visual learners, a couple activities using excel and graphs and collecting the data could be a great way for that standard to be reinforced with the students. I used the template that we created on Thursday night and did a mini lesson using smarties and gathering that information and getting the totals of each color. Like I said, it was a mini lesson mainly because I only had about 10 minutes to plan for it and really I just wanted to experiment with such a lesson. All in all it was a success. The students responded well to the program and I literally heard a "Wooooow" from one student when I plugged in all the numbers and the sum of that column automatically changed. So that was proof that a spreadsheet can be an effective tool inside an elementary classroom, and just imagine how effective my next lesson will be when I actually have more time to plan and prepare!
My "bad" side of my brain, the side with all my doubts, insecurities, and questioning, is racing right now though. I can't help but wonder, is this technology making it too easy for the students. This same lesson when I was a kid would consist of me with a blank piece of paper and literally drawing in the lines, the graphs, and calculating the sums. That might have been more time consuming but it forced me to do a couple things like organize my thoughts, organize my paper so it wasn't messy or else the lady dressed in black with the thing on her head would yell at me, and it made me understand what I was creating. Now I know that the 2009 students are creating this graph too, but it's with less chance of error, and I am a believer that students learn from mistakes. Is it so wrong to ask our children to learn to calculate the sums on their own and then plug in the numbers on the computer; that way they know how to get a sum in an event that there is no computer or calculator around.
Those are just some thoughts about my initial experiences with spreadsheets. The following website is one that I stumbled upon and it is great for elementary teachers looking to use spreadsheets in their classroom. Even though I am new to spreadsheets, I feel that they could be valuable tools in a classroom of any ages.
Great point, Phil! There has to be a balance. The students do need to learn how to do it themselves. Although, if they're plugging in the wrong number and calculation, it will graph incorrectly.....they'll have to go back, check their work and fix the mistake!
ReplyDeleteI think the same thing sometimes when you asked "are we making it too easy for these Students?" I think some students take advantage and just rely on the technology and don't get much out of the activity. These are the same students who cheat on tests and would be copying someone else’s homework. They don't care about what they are learning they just want to complete the assignment.
ReplyDeleteI think there are also a lot of students who use the technology wisely and are better students because of the technology. These students understand the concepts and use the technology better than I can to make work a lot easier for them.
I Don't have an answer to your question," are we making it to easy for these students?" but I do have a suggestion. What if you have the students do the active by hand the first time and show them the long process that goes into creating a table by hand and then do it in excel and show them how great the technology is. You could do this for a couple of assignments and once they understand the concepts and see how wonderful the technology is have them only do their projects in Excel. This is only a suggestion, but I think you bring up a good question. A question that definitely needs some thought.