Improving the learning experience of business subjects in engineering studies using automatic spreadsheet correctors

Abstract

The combination of two macro trends, ICT proliferation and novel approaches in education, has resulted in a series of opportunities with no precedent in terms of content, channels and methods in education. The present contribution aims to describe the architecture, functionality and impact of an automatic spreadsheet corrector responding to a problem-solving approach in an e-learning environment. A total of 179 students coursing technical studies attended a basic course on business administration in the framework of which the experiment was conducted. Subjective perception of students demonstrates a very good opinion about the learning experience using the proposed ICT tool. Objective results show that it is a valuable learning tool, while students who obtain a high final qualification are the ones that have been positively evaluated in the sessions using the automatic spreadsheet corrector. Beyond these highlighted benefits for students, teachers gain time, effort and workload reduction. The validity of the proposal is tested in the Polytechnic School of the University of Girona in Catalonia (Spain).