We Still Use Spreadsheets

I know that this isn't a scientific survey, by an means. However, I've been asking people what program or app people use most often, both at work and at home. I expected to hear something about social media or modeling software or something connected to programming. However, the number one answer I got was spreadsheets. I know, I know. Kids are supposed to be making and programming and learning the latest and greatest tools. Spreadsheets were new and innovative back in 1983. I keep hearing people say that computer classes need to move past teaching the "old school tools." However, when I talk to everyone from accountants to doctors to computer programmers, I keep hearing spreadsheets. When I stop and think about it, I use spreadsheets all the time. I use spreadsheets for managing money, keeping track of project progress, managing contact information and doing data analysis. The truth is that spreadsheets are powerful for the ability to add formulas, sort, analyze and create graphs. I realize that there are great programs that do just about everything a spreadsheet does. There are project managing programs, modeling programs, financial management programs, etc. Still, the ability to create a formula and organize information is a powerful concept for students. Whether it's sequencing a story or analyzing data, spreadsheets are actually pretty amazing in what they manage to accomplish. So, even though it's not innovative or flashy or cool, we use spreadsheets in my class.