“Can we use a spreadsheet?”

When I first heard this in my mathematics education class, I know my facial expression showed my extreme confusion. I had never heard of using a spreadsheet in mathematics until then. I know that sounds crazy, but it’s true.

Thankfully, it was not long before I became familiar with spreadsheets through the Numbers app on the iPad, which we used for numerous mathematical computations. I now realize what I have been missing. I cannot imagine my life without spreadsheets, and I find new ways to use them each day.

The great thing about spreadsheets is their many practical uses. Mathematics and business majors are not the only people who can use a spreadsheet. They can be used for lists, budgeting, organization, decision making, and planning.

Spreadsheets are also practical in the classroom.

There are a variety of ways you can implement them. Students can make lists of books they want to read, jobs they want to apply for, or colleges they want to apply to. Students can use spreadsheets when learning how to budget and keep track of their money. When the new semester is shortly approaching, students can plan their new semester schedules.

The program I have become most familiar with is the Numbers app. It is downloaded onto my iPad, so I can easily access it when it is needed.

Simply, download the app. This is what the icon looks like:

To create a new spreadsheet, tap on the green “+” in the right-hand corner. (Circled)

There are various templates you can choose from. For example, there is basic, personal finance, personal, business, and education. (Highlighted)

At first, the various options can be overwhelming. However, after you have explored and experimented with each one, the app will become more familiar.

Here is a link to Apple’s Numbers help page: Numbers Help

 Spreadsheets were once foreign to me. However, now that I have been introduced to this time saving instrument, I will implement it into not only my everyday life, but my classroom as well. I am confident anyone can find a way to use spreadsheets to simplify and organize aspects of their everyday life.

 

 

 

 

 

References: 

GECAWICH, M. (2017, September 6). The Top 5 Real World Applications for Spreadsheets. Retrieved from iAcademy: https://blog.iacademy.com/computer-apps/spreadsheets/

Apple. (2018). Numbers Help. Retrieved from Numbers Help for iPad: https://help.apple.com/numbers/ipad/4.1/#/tan72790d40