Microsoft Excel has always been a frustration for me, in particular using graphs and tables. I have had many assignments where I was to create specific types of graphs and was offered no guidance or instructions, so I would struggle for hours trying to figure it out for myself, following different tutorials that don't make sense, downloading different tool bars, and becoming more and more frustrated as time goes on. I think Excel is a great tool to use in the classroom, but ONLY with structure and assistance provided by the teacher. Excel is one of those programs that is easy to get overwhelmed with. I think if it is going to be used in a classroom, the teacher needs to have a deep knowledge and understanding of the program, so that he or she can provide step-by-step instructions for the students.
There are a lot of ways that Excel can be used in the classroom that I had never realized before. One of the most interesting new ways I learned to use it was in creating timelines. I never knew before that Excel could be used to make a timeline, and I think that is a creative way to engage students in history like never before. Excel can also be beneficial for teachers, in ways such as creating a gradebook that calculates averages and creating seating charts. If used properly, Excel can have tremendous benefits for the classroom. However, teachers must find a way to structure the use of Excel, as it is a very confusing program and students can easily become frustrated or overwhelmed.
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