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Section 6: Embedding spreadsheets into assignments

The aim of this final section is to introduce the idea of including spreadsheets as an integrated part of assignments and projects. It could be argued that at present many educators (including the author) still tend to assess if the learning objectives have been achieved by asking students to submit essays or reports. This approach is often used as it mirrors the requirements in the final assessment. However, many educators find that an essay based assessment is not necessarily a very efficient means of measuring if the student has achieved the learning objective.

The inclusion of a spreadsheet simulation as the basis for the assignment offers a creative solution to support students in demonstrating that they have acquired the necessary knowledge and skills. The following example illustrates the principle.

Example: A requirement of Economics is that students acquire the knowledge and skills for explaining the impact on a market of changes in other markets (see Section 4.1).

This learning objective has tended to be assessed via an essay or a data response/stimulus question. For example:

What are the consequences on the price of good A if the supply of good B increases?

The reliance on the essay response may not clearly identify if the learning objective has been achieved as the student may find it difficult to contextualise the question and build the answer. Therefore, the supporting scaffold can be developed around a spreadsheet simulation. For instance, the teacher could create a spreadsheet model of a hypothetical market where the simulation output is in graphical and text formats. The student is then given the essay title and a set of tasks that they need to complete. These tasks involve the student changing input conditions, reading of the results and interpreting the outcome. These individual tasks are clearly mapped to the original essay question and additional support is offered through references to topical examples.

VLE Tip: Developing the scaffold as an online activity
You could restyle the activity to be purely online using the features of a typical VLE. For instance, the student response could be directed through the discussion board, the tasks could be part of an online assessment, and there could be the inclusion of external links for further support.

The primary aim of this resource was to illustrate how a spreadsheet simulation can be effectively deployed to help teaching economics and business studies. This included giving a pedagogical underpinning for the use of spreadsheet simulation in the classroom, and then through the use of examples, demonstrate their potential use. Central to achieving this aim was to raise people's awareness of how to design and develop a spreadsheet simulation to account for good practice in usability.

The challenge is now yours - the developer - to apply these ideas to your specific needs and develop a spreadsheet simulation that will engage and stimulate a student of economics and/or business studies.

Good luck

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