Spreadsheets as Mindtools

1
Spreadsheets as Mindtools

• ITT 522
• By
• George Herrman

2
Computer Based Instruction

• CBI is used because
• Can be a teaching assistant
• Students are self paced
• Computers are now cost effective

3
Microsoft Excel

• Is categorized as a mindtool because
• It motivates the students to think
• It creates the environment of what if
• It enables students to experiment with facts and
  figures

4
Excel As a What-if Tool

• This spreadsheet allows students in a business
  discipline to experiment with figures.
• It will allow students to explore the principle
  of cost vs. profit.

5
My Excel Setup

• Three sheets
• 1. GUI graphical user interface
• 2. CHART - real time graph of the students
  input
• 3. DATA this sheet contains all the necessary
  formulas to perform the graph

6
Instructional Plan

• Target Audience
• 10th grade High School business class

7
Instructional Plan

• Instructional Objective
• At the end of this module the student will be
  able to demonstrate the principle differences
  between cost and profit. The student will write
  a one-page paper describing cost vs. profit.
  This paper will define both cost and profit and
  will explain how they are relatively similar and
  different. This paper will be due next class
  period

8
Instructional Plan

• Procedure of Instruction
• 1. State the objective
• 2. Form groups
• 3. Instruction on how to use the Spreadsheet
  program
• 4. Group discussion on cost vs. profit
• 5. Students will use Excel to experiment with
  model
• 6. Students will record their findings
• 7. Class altogether will discuss recorded data
  and principals
• 8. Writing assignment will be given and
  questions answered

9
DISCRIPTION OF MATERIAL

• This spreadsheet was designed to supplement the
  teaching of cost vs. profit. The instructor
  would begin to use this spreadsheet by giving a
  class on how cost and profit are similar and
  different. Then the instructor would show
  examples out of the textbook. Next, the
  instructor would let the students use the
  spreadsheet

10
DISCRIPTION OF MATERIAL

• to experiment with and see, real time, how cost
  and profit directly influence each other.

11
DISCRIPTION OF MATERIAL

• To use the spreadsheet the student will choose
  the GUI sheet and put in the following numbers
• Number of Months
• Projected Sales
• Variable Expenses
• Fixed Expenses

12
DISCRIPTION OF MATERIAL

• As the students enter the numbers, the chart on
  the right side moves in proportion to the amounts
  they enter. If they enter large expense amounts
  then they can see how the profit bar shrinks.
  This spreadsheet allows the students to visual
  see how their data directly impacts the final
  profit, providing a solid learning experience.