Spreadsheets

Spreadsheets are great for organizing and analyzing data. Some teachers use a spread sheet to keep track of their grades. Our EIL department uses a spreadsheet in making a class schedule for all department classes. We also use a spreadsheet to help us analyze test data. Some even use a spreadsheet to keep track of vocabulary words. Using Microsoft Excel to make Spreadsheet can- Make a formula to sum the Total Points ( S ) - Make a formula to calculate the percent (student total / total possible). - Make a formula to show a letter grade (see below). Formula for Lookup =LOOKUP(A2,{0,60,63,67,70,73,77,80,83,87,90,93,97},{"F","D-","D","D+","C","C","C+","B-","B","B+","A-","A","A+"}) Formula for If Statement Formula =IF(logical_test,value_if_true,value_if_false) =IF(A2>89,"A",IF(A2>79,"B", IF(A2>69,"C",IF(A2>59,"D","F")))) Think how useful a spreadsheet formula would be if you had a large number of students to place into various levels and classes based on several test scores. You could write a formula that said: If this student is in this class and got at least this score on this test, and at least this score on that test, then he should go to this class, if not he should repeat or go to that class. Now suppose a student had four classes and you had to decide this information for each class and you had 150 students. That would take a lot of human effort. However, once a formula is written and proofed, then it can be copied and applied to many students. That way a teacher or administrator wont have to spend a lot of time figuring out the correct placement for each individual student. The computer could do it for him/her.

Charts and graphs are excellent ways to give visual depictions of data. This chart below shows the scores of students homework assignments 1-4.

Spreadsheets for Sorting 1. Sort according to Instructor (Data, Sort). Make sure you sort the whole spreadsheet and not just the column. 2. Delete all the canceled classes or classes without an instructor. 3. Format the cells for the classes Bro. Christensen teaches and change them to a light blue background. 4. Increase the font size by 4 points for those classes associated with Bro. Christensen 5. Delete the # column 6. Put a yellow background behind Sis. Mapus classes. 7. Make the row height twice as big for Sis. Mapus classes. 8. Sort all the cells according to Class and Section (at the same time). 9. Sort all according to Time, Class, and Section (at the same time).

Turn on the Filter (Data, Filter, Auto Filter) Under Instructor, filter for Peeni.

Turn the filter off (Data, Filter, Show All). Now use the custom filter to find only Writing and Grammar classes.

I think I will probably use spreadsheets in my teaching because it is very helpful and useful. If I am doing some grading or class schedule, it is easier to find the information and manage the data. Spreadsheets can also be used with Word documents. Suppose you keep an individualized list of vocabulary words for each student on a spreadsheet. You can use the Mailings tab in word to create a form which will make individualized vocabulary quizzes for each student. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes fast and easy to do.