Week Two EDOL533

Provide a URL of one Web site that discusses spreadsheet and/or database use in the classroom.
http://teachers.net/lessons/posts/2582.html
Describe something you found that surprised you about how databases or spreadsheets can be utilized in the classroom.
The most obvious ways to use databases and spreadsheets in the classroom are for scientific experiments or skill sets, and mathematics. It is probably also common to use spreadsheets for assignments and grading. What was surprising to me was the idea of using spreadsheets in conjunction with a geography or social studies lesson. This website provides a lesson plan for studying Africa. The students present information they learned about (population, economy, resources, geology, and points of interest). Many elementary school students do a social studies report on a country of their choice and using a spreadsheet or data base for this assignment is a surprising, creative, and technologically strong way to present this project. The students work and subsequent spreadsheet / data base can also be presented via a power point presentation or even on a more traditional board with print outs to share with the class.
I also found it surprising that spreadsheets can be used for the student’s calendars and grade tracking. I think if the student’s keep their own grades and calendars they will be more responsible and accountable for their work. I want students to feel good about the work they’re doing, and to try their best. If they know how they are doing they will take more pride in the good job they did. Using databases and calendars helps a lot with student organization!
Discuss how you have used spreadsheets and databases in the past. Include ways you have used them with your students or ways you have used them as an educator.
I am not yet a teacher but after this week I am confident that I will implement the technology of databases and spreadsheets into my classroom. I see now that almost any subject area as well as class schedules, student agendas, grade tracking, and parent communication can be completed in this technological medium. I will also use spreadsheets to track student grades for my own records. I would really like to post these data tables online so that parents can follow the student’s progress and see any feedback that I gave.