Use programming spreadsheet functions as an introduction to programming to give students a simple but powerful mechanism for writing basic programs.

  • Contrary to popular belief, there is programming involved in mastering the use of spreadsheets. When creating equations and dependencies in spreadsheets, one must use formulas, a domain-specific language, to program these relationships.
    • Spreadsheets are great for intro programming because they are capable of performing powerful analyses, yet simple enough to be used by novice students.
    • Check out Felienne Hermans’ Excel Turing machine implementation to see how using spreadsheets really is computer programming.
  • For slides and lectures on data analysis with Excel and Python, visit Felienne Hermans’ edX course "Data Analysis: Take It to the MAX( )".

More about this tip

External Source
Interview with Felienne Hermans