Learning to Use Spreadsheets : An Empirical Study of two User Training Courses

Abstract

Abstract

The research in this thesis focuses on the users of spreadsheet (Excel) and those who teach it. Several investigations have shown that user teaching and follow-up of users are important factors to achieve reasonable and effective use of the technology. Other research also show that extensive use of a program such as Excel is necessary if one is to be an expert-user. How can training strategies facilitate end-users to become effective users of computer programs? This thesis presents how computer training is conducted at Rikshospitalet and Oslo Katedralskole. Observation of two spreadsheet courses at Rikshospitalet was conducted and a questionnaire was administered to the participants after the course.

Results in this thesis indicate that the participants had difficulties understanding that a cell is dynamic and that it can retrieve information from the other cells. A factor that may play an important role in the use of spreadsheets is lack of basic background knowledge of mathematics and/or statistics. After returning to their work, a large quantity of the participants encountered problems in Excel that they would like to have explained by an instructor, and therefore would like to have a follow up session after the course. My observations and findings therefore show that a follow up session after the course would substantially increase the quality of the spreadsheet training.