The computerized spreadsheet revolutionized how we deal with numbers. Modern versions not only do the numbers, they can quickly and easily make charts and graphs from those numbers as well. Perfect for students getting projects ready for the science fair!
Older Kids learned the basics of using spreadsheets: rows, columns, and formulas. Then we practiced entering scientific data into tables and converting those tables to charts and graphs. Those graphs help visualize the data and make it easier to check out hypothesis: did the data show what we thought it was going to?
Middle and Younger Kids practiced their search skills. Not only does this involve figuring out the key words to search for, it uses typing and reading comprehension skills.
By the new year, all the computer skills we’ve been working on in computer class start to come together as we get real-world applications.