Suppl_eMINTS

Five Things: Working with Authentic Data

Tonight we focus on working with authentic data. The software we’ll focus on is Microsoft Excel. This might be one of the scariest pieces of software to use. However, I’m confident you will find excellent applications for this great tool.

Anyway, here are my five things concerning authentic data and spreadsheets:

1. Authenticity is the key. – Like much of what we do in our trainings, the authenticity of our content and teaching methods is maybe the most important factor in getting through to our students. They want to know how they can use this in the real world or why it’s important to know at all. By using authentic data, students are better able to connect data collection and analysis to their lives outside of school.
2. Excel (and other spreadsheet software) is your friend. – Spreadsheets are there to help you make sense of data. They help organize data so that it’s easier to analyze. Luckily, software like Excel does most of the organization for us. Remember when no one knew how to use Word or PowerPoint? Give it time. Excel will make your life easier.
3. Use online templates. – Sometimes software like Excel can frustrate us by not doing exactly what we want it to do. Don’t worry. Find a template that already contains the formatting for which you’re looking. Microsoft even provides a few templates here or you can always do a Google search for “Excel templates“.
4. Use the Help. – When in doubt, always use the help menu for Excel. Also, I have had a lot of luck searching for tricks and tips on using Exel by simply doing Internet searches.
5. There are alternatives to Excel. – We are using a Google spreadsheet in order to keep records on classroom visits and training sessions. A Google spreadsheet makes collaboration possible and I can embed the sheet directly into the Moodle. Another collaborative spreadsheet can be found at Zoho. The best part of these spreadsheets is that you can work on them collaboratively and transfer the data directly onto an Excel spreadsheet either through download or by simply copying and pasting. Here’s a list of almost all the spreadsheet programs out there.

Hopefully, after we spend an evening with Excel, you will find applications for you and your students.

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