Keep Your Stats in the Cloud! Evaluating the Use of Google Sheets to Teach Quantitative Methods

• Main Authors: Zachary J. Kunicki, Nicholas S. Zambrotta, Marie C. Tate, Angela R. Surrusco, Megan M. Risi, Lisa L. Harlow
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2019-09-01
• Series: Journal of Statistics Education
• Subjects: education; google sheets; online learning
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10691898.2019.1665485

Teaching quantitative methods at the undergraduate level is a difficult yet rewarding endeavor due to the challenges instructors face in presenting the material. One way to bolster student learning is through the use of statistical software packages. Google Sheets is a cloud-based spreadsheet program capable of many basic statistical procedures, which has yet to be evaluated for use in quantitative methods courses. This article contains pros and cons to using Google Sheets in the classroom and provides an evaluation of student attitudes toward using Google Sheets in an introductory quantitative methods class. The results suggest favorable student attitudes toward Google Sheets and which attitudes toward Google Sheets show a positive relationship with quantitative self-efficacy. Thus, based on the positive student attitudes and the unique features of Google Sheets, it is a viable program to use in introductory methods classes. However, due to limited functionality, Google Sheets may not be useful for more advanced courses. Future research may want to evaluate the use of third-party Google Sheets applications, which can increase functionality, and the use of Google Sheets in online classes.