Computer-aided learning and assessment with a spreadsheet – an approach to coping with large student numbers

Computer-aided learning and assessment spreadsheets have been used for five consecutive years to teach critical path analysis to first year students in a British university business school. During this time, the design of the spreadsheets has evolved whilst the number of students studying the module has increased to nearly 400. The approach has been well-received by the students and it has been very successful at teaching them the basics of critical path analysis. The major burden of marking their work, year after year, has been greatly reduced, easily justifying the development time. The approach also has potential for use with distance learning.