Carrying Out the Game Plan

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My research first revealed that spreadsheets were usually a component of an Office Suite as opposed to a standalone application. I organized this information into a hierarchy. Next I began by classifying the different types of spreadsheets that students could use and made the following Concept Map.



To test each spreadsheet, I generated 5 sets of data to import into each one to test the 5 types of Trend line regressions I usually ask my students to do: Linear, Quadratic, Polynomial, Exponential with an integer base and Exponential with e (2.718) base. In class we usually use Excel or a Texas Instruments (TI) calculator (which does not have a print feature). I made a list of what features students would need if they were working from home: make and print a graph, print data chart and export to Excel. I organized this information into a matrix to compare to our classroom based options. There will be an additional column for each site I locate. Currently the list is: Google Docs, Open Office – Calc, Zoho, EditGrid, Microsoft Cloud, KOffice, ZCubes and Google Wave.



I have already eliminated Gnome as an option as it was open source and geared more toward developers. I have two more sites to research that could add to the list I have found so far

http://www.editgrid.com/user/siulung/Web-based_Spreadsheets_Comparison_Matrix

and

http://mashable.com/2008/02/06/forget-excel-14-online-spreadsheet-applications/

By now I realized my research was going in 3 directions

1) Classifying spreadsheets: web based, downloadable or cost which I also want to further subcategorize by real time/collaborative. (1st Concept Map)

2) Site Research sites, make accounts at each and test 5 data sets by trendline. (I am concerned I am getting too many)

3) If a spreadsheet did not have trendline feature, researching if there were built-in functions to build the trendline by graph quality or if you had to manually enter each formula:



I was starting to get overwhelmed, so I started a journal to organize my progress each day and prioritize my time. Although I would like to know 100% of everything, I think I need to limit my direction in two areas.

If I continue to add new sites, like the ones from the above 2 web sites, I would have 24 sites to test. I guess I only need to research until I find the one that meets my students’ needs. My students at this point only need to know if the Trendline option if available, so although it is useful for me to know about built in functions and manual calculations, I will limit my time in this area, possible organizing it into a different comparative matrix.

My goals for this week are to finish compiling my list of spreadsheets, classifying them on the 1st concept map as I go in and make an account for each. Then begin testing my data sets.

Accessing Trendline Option:


Trendline Choices: