Authentic Learning with Google Sheets

Overview: When students learn to use Google Sheets and input their own data, powerful authentic learning can take place, and since students can use Google Sheets in a variety of subjects, they can use it for many cross-curricular assignments. Come and learn how to include Google Sheets into lessons from our examples and resources that have helped our students take ownership when inputting their own data to create graphs and charts. Students become invested in their own education when they begin to take ownership of their work, so we use Google Sheets as a way for our students to record their weekly grades. They set goals using conditional formatting, write averaging equations, and create graphs to track trends. Students also record and track district-wide formative assessment scores and attendance, and could include much more. We also have had students use Google Sheets to create and interpret charts and graphs to identify meaningful data, and use it as supportive evidence in a written response. By having students create charts and graphs of material of their choosing, they are able to add more descriptive writing to their analysis, and embed their graphs within their writing. Time permitting, we would also like to share some “outside of the box” uses of Google Sheets, like inserting data directly from a webpage, how to protect cells within collaborative work, and use of pivot tables to make decisions.