Mark:

I actually have them build the spreadsheet out. In one class, they have to do it as part of certain assignments - they can't do any sensitivity analysis without a spreadsheet model. In the other, I assign the various models as "extra credit". The ones who build out the models learn a great deal about Excel, but also find that they understand the calculations much more deeply.
Unknownprofessor | Homepage | 11.11.09 - 10:54 am | #

Any thoughts on the value of having the students struggle through creating the spreadsheet modeling?

Time may be an issue, and you're certainly not teaching a class in Excel; but I found that building the formulas out in Excel helped me remember and understand how the inputs worked together.

--Mark.
Mark | 11.11.09 - 9:53 am | #

VBA will come - probably next semester
Unknownprofessor | Homepage | 11.10.09 - 2:52 pm | #

I totally share your point of view. Students must make their hands dirty to better understand.
But why not using VBA?
Anyway, that's a detail.
Maybe.
Franck | Homepage | 11.10.09 - 8:00 am | #