Books Or Videos For Teaching 9th Grade Daughter Excel

[Spencer]

About two years ago my daughter was exposed to Excel, Word, and PowerPoint in a computer class in school. The class was just for one semester and I was hoping on keeping here engaged in Excel, so I got her the Plain & Simple Excel 2010 book for her Kindle and paid her for each 30 minutes that she read the book and practiced Excel.

She would only read and practice upon prompting from me and she just didn't seem that interested in learning and didn't seem excited about anything she did learn. We just got a new all-in-one computer for the kitchen and I would like to try again to get her to learn more about Excel.

Please recommend some books and/or videos that I can use as well as any tips on how you got your children interested in learning Excel.

Thanks, Spence

[alansidman]

At her age, unless she has a motivational reason to learn Excel, then I believe that you are beating a dead horse. Since $ were not motivation enough, I think you can only wait until there is a need on her part. Not everyone needs to learn Excel. My 2 cents.

[kbryant414]

If you want to create interest, showing her some of the more unusual things that can be done with Excel may be a start. Another possibility is showing her how she can use it for herself, to help with schoolwork or personal projects.

If the interest is there, there are plenty of places to find the knowledge (including this site).

[FDibbins]

I agree with Alan, you need to be careful that you dont "scare her away" from excel, or be percieved as forcing her to use it.

Try and ID her WIIFM (what's in it for me). Show her how it will make her homework easier, or keeping track of her audio tracks/videos/facebook friends/recipes/stamp collections... you get my drift lol

Ask her questions about what would make things easier/nicer etc for her, and see how excel might fit into that

[MrShorty]

Another possibility is showing her how she can use it for herself, to help with schoolwork or personal projects.

My initial introduction to spreadsheets was in math and science classes in school. I don't expect that current secondary math classes (algebra, geometry, trigonometry, etc.) are too keen on letting a kid learn math using a spreadsheet. I think if their teachers were more enthusiastic, I would use a spreadsheet to help my children understand the math (and science) concepts they are studying. When you reach the point in your algebra class about learning to graph equations (lines, parabolas, etc.), I would show them how to do it in a spreadsheet (in addition to or in lieu of learning how to do it on a graphing calculator). Learning how to solve systems of equations. Just about anything you can do on a graphing calculator can also be illustrated in a spreadsheet.

[Crooza]

Agree with the above sentiments. I think she needs to see the benefits for herself.

Then again maybe you just need to pay her MORE