Microsoft Excel

One of a teacher’s main objectives in the classroom is to find effective ways to engage their students. Technology, a tool which is very effective for the current generation of students, should be used to keep students interested in their school work. A Microsoft tool which can incorporate technology into the classroom and engage students is Microsoft Excel. Excel offers many creative applications and can be adopted and incorporated in any curriculum.

Here are five examples of how Microsoft Excel can be used effectively in the classroom:

1. Journal - Students can keep a journal throughout the year in one file! Encourage creative writing, keeping a log of activities, thoughts, etc.

Here is a template for the journal: Journal Excel file

This lesson matches the NETS-S Standard of Communication and Collaboration. Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.

2. Social Studies or Science Activity – This is a fun and creative way to use Excel. Import digital photos or other image files into a workbook and use the comments feature to add labels to the pictures. This is a wonderful way to learn or review vocabulary terms, places, etc. (US States and capitals, parts of plant, muscles of body, planets of the solar system) Advanced students can create their own images to label! Taken from: Pics4Learning

This lesson matches the NETS-S Standard of Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making. Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.

3. Combination of Literature and Math – Students and teacher read together the book "Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday" by Judith Viorst. Discuss why he is no longer rich. Re-read the book with students, stopping to enter data in an Excel spreadsheet as Alexander looses or spends his money. By the end of the story your spreadsheet should reflect the total amount he started with last Sunday and how it disappeared!
   Here is a spreadsheet example and template: Alexander

This lesson matches the NETS-S Standard of Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making. Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.

4. Practice Money Math – With students, discover how many different ways there are to make change for a dollar? The answer is 294! One is a silver dollar. See how many of the other 293 your students can identify. Use Excel to record your combinations of coins.

Technology activity adapted from H.I.P. Pocket Exchange Math Lesson

This lesson matches the NETS-S Standard of Research and Information Fluency.Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information

5. Use Excel for a Quiz – Looking for a way to quiz your students? Look no further, excel can provide the perfect format to assemble a quiz to evaluate your students knowledge of your topic

Here is an example of a math quiz: Excel Quiz

This idea matches the NETS-S Standard of Technology Operations and Concepts. Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.

Some materials were borrowed from:

http://www.lexington1.net/technology/?page=instruct/examples.htm

Standards can be found at:

http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-students/nets-student-standards-2007.aspx