This week for our class assignment, I was given the opportunity to work with Microsoft Excel on a stimulated grade book. Excel is a spreadsheet software application. “With spreadsheet software you can create worksheets that contain numeric data arranged in rows and columns” (Gunter, 2010).
This was an extremely engaging hands-on activity. Working with Excel is an efficient tool that many educators use on a daily basis. Excel can be used as a grade book, attendance book, lunch book, and much more. I have had a lot of experience working with Excel. When I was completing my undergraduate degree I took a computer class where I worked a lot with Excel and its many capabilities so this assignment was more of a refresher than a challenge.
The objective of this assignment was to show the importance of the use of Excel to keep track of student’s grades. While working with the grade book I created and edited information. We were also asked to complete a variety of different tasks. The first task was to make each column a different color. This wasn’t too hard of a task to complete. I then had to create columns and come up with formulas to average the students test, homework, and over all grades. Even though I am familiar with Excel and its functions I had a little trouble creating the test and homework averages. It didn’t take me long to figure out how to complete this task, but it took longer than the others. Something that I learned from this assignment was how to make the students name dynamically appear on the other three worksheets which means automatically appear. This is something that is very useful. I can see myself using this feature in the future in my classroom.
All and all I enjoyed this activity. It gave me the opportunity to work with Excel. It also provided a hands-on refresher of the important features of this tool. I look forward to applying what I learned during this lesson in my classroom.
Gunter, G. A., Gunter, R.E., & Shelly, G.B. (2010). Integrating technology and digital media in the classroom(6th ed.). United States: Course Technology, Cengage Learning.
I do agree with you that our hands-on activity was very engaging. Indeed, Excel, as productivity software, is a popular and powerful spreadsheet software program. And, as you have rightfully declared, “is an efficient tool that many educators use on a daily basis…[to generate] grade book, attendance book, lunch book, and much more” (para. 1).
ReplyDeleteI have a limited experience with Excel, and so, several steps in this exercise were challenging for me which forced me to have online tutoring lessons. Like you, I had “trouble creating the test and homework averages” (para. 2)—especially applying the corresponding syntax. I did especially have difficulty making “the students name dynamically appear on the other three worksheets” (para. 2)—which like you, I believe it is a very useful feature.
I must admit that this exercise raised my awareness of how powerful Excel is, and to the extent in which it is useful for teachers. Indeed, this exercise increased my interest in learning the program, and so I plan to allocate the time for a proper training.