Department of Mathematics Education
EMAT 6700, J. Wilson
Spreadsheet
J. Matt Tumlin
Students will
be asked to set up a spreadsheet, enter data into it, and use the spreadsheet’s
functions to analyze the data. They also
will see how the spreadsheet can be used to make a graph of the data. Then they will compare the spreadsheets.
To get the
students’ attention, explain that each cell in a spreadsheet has an address, or
name. Provide students with a blank table
that has 3 columns and 3 rows. Have them
label the columns with the letters A, B, and C and label the rows 1, 2, and
3. Have them work in pairs to devise a
way to use the letters and numbers to name each cell in the table. Ask each pair to share their ideas with the
class.
For a Microsoft Word copy, CLICK HERE.
Directions
Have the students work individually to
answer all question on the lab sheet.
Once the activity has been completed, students can compare answers to
see if there are any discrepancies.
To bring the class back together, have
them suggest real-world situations in which spreadsheet tables might be
useful. Have each student choose one
situation, research appropriate data, and create a spreadsheet.
This problem has many
aspects you can go into, data entry, functions, and use of technology. It also has many entry and exit points.