Spreadsheets and Databases in the Classroom

Spreadsheets and databases can be excellent technological tools in the classroom.  They are especially beneficial to teachers as organizational tools as they are handy for keeping track of grades and other student information.  However, these tools can be valuable for students, also, if teachers make use of them properly.

The web link, http://www.amphi.com/~psteffen/excel.html, offers many further links to various sites concerning the integration of spreadsheets in the classroom.  These websites can be very helpful in offering teachers the knowledge of making use of spreadsheets and databases with their students.  Teachers, with the use of these technological tools, can not only provide a more effective and efficient learning experience, they can present a much more motivating learning environment for their students, thereby allowing them the increased ability to reach their full potentials.

Another link, http://juliannbetker.efoliomn.com/spreadsheets, also provides several examples of the uses of spreadsheets and databases in the classroom.  In fact, there are some rather interesting methods of spreadsheet use on this site that I had not thought of.  Of course, I realized the various applications spreadsheets may have in the mathematics, science, and social studies classrooms with graphing, surveying, timelines, etc. and that graphing could also be used in art.  However, I had not recognized the uses these tools could have in language arts other than for creative writing concerning the information input and obtained from spreadsheets and databases.  The aforementioned site refers to several uses of spreadsheets in the language arts classroom, though, that were surprising to me including the creation of vocabulary lists with study guides and crossword puzzles.  This would be an excellent technique for not only using spreadsheets, but also helping students to more effectively learn their vocabulary words while also providing more fun and interesting motivation for learning them.  This site also mentioned the learning of parts of speech using a mad-lib activity or grammar scrambler developed on a spreadsheet.  This, too, would be a more fun and interesting way of learning a language art concept, thereby providing the necessary enthusiasm for learning.

All classrooms, no matter the content area, can find some use of spreadsheets and databases.  These are excellent tools for integrating other content areas into a particular subject.  I believe it is important to do this, to relate subjects to one another and also to relate them to the real world.  As a teacher, I would certainly use these tools in relation to real-world issues.  After having students survey others about a specific issue, I would have them graph their findings both manually and using spreadsheets.  This would be a very efficient method for integrating various content areas and relating them to the real world. 

Since all teachers should wish nothing less for their students than their best, they should make every effort to help their students accomplish this.  Technology, including the use of spreadsheets and databases can be excellent tools for doing so.  Therefore, every teacher should strive to provide this opportunity for their students.

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