David Young

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David Young SBAC Technology Integration
Institute June 12, 2006
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Outline 1. What is an Interactive Excel
Worksheet? 2. Example Worksheets 3. Pros of
Uses 4. Cons of Uses 5. Suggestions for Classroom
Use 6. Extra Resources
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• 1. What is an Interactive Excel Worksheet?
• An Excel worksheet that allows the user to
  interact with the content.
• Sometimes referred to as Excelets

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• 2. Example Worksheets
• Box Whiskers Plot 1
• Fractions 1
• Linear Equations 2
• Quadratic Equations 2
• Rectangular Solids 2
• Each of these also linked to on Virtual Handout

1. Sinex, S. (2006). Developers Guide to
Excelets. Retrieved June 9 2006 from
http//academic.pgcc.edu/ssinex/excelets/ . 2.
Young, D. (2006). Interactive Excel Worksheets.
Retrieved June 9 2006 from http//plaza.ufl.edu/y
oungdj/excel
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• 3. Pros of Use
• Allows for experiential learning
• Focuses thought on general concepts
• Multiple representations of the same concept
• Excel is a readily available resource
• Small learning curve for using them

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• 4. Cons of Use
• Sometimes difficult to get past security issues
• Can be broken fairly easily
• Students may not have access at home

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• 5. Suggestions for Use
• Requires thoughtful direction of teacher
• Class activity in a computer lab
• Class demonstration with projector
• Student project to create interactive tools
• Enrichment or remediation tool
• Homework Activity (if possible)

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• 6. Resources for Finding and Using
• See Resources section of Virtual Handout
• Includes links for finding and using interactive
  Excel worksheets
• Includes links for learning how to make your own
  interactive Excel Spreadsheets

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• Conclusions
• Excel provides an easy way to begin using
  interactive graphing features in the classroom.
• Some of the shortcomings of excel can be made up
  for by using Virtual Manipulatives...