I enjoyed my recent teaching with technology class at UNLV. As an avid user of technology I was excited about taking this class. My expectations of the class were exceeded by the level of technology use required and promoted by the instructor. I highly recommend this class and believe it should be required for all new teachers.

One project that I feel any new teacher can accomplish is the use of excel spreadsheets. This lesson is well suited to an introduction lesson on making spreadsheets and collecting data.  Each student could be assigned a different topic than survey the class, compile the data, and make a simple spreadsheet showing the results. This task meets all of the following Nevada third grade CEFs:

5.1-collect, organize, display and describe simple data from surveys and experiments
5.2- read and interpret displays of data, draw conclusions from charts, tables and graphs to solve problems.
6.7- use technology to understand quantitative relationships
7.2- use inquiry techniques to solve mathematical problems.
2.20- utilize a pre-designed spreadsheet
3.6- use technology to organize data

Spreadsheet example

Excel lesson evaluation

Lesson plans can be found at:

http://www.microsoft.com/education/LessonPlans.mspx

http://math.about.com/od/excel/

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/on-line_excel.htm

http://208.183.128.8/mather/