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The setup

Spreadsheets are a foundation of data journalism, and much of what you’ll learn in this module will look familiar when working with data in other formats and in other platforms.

Module objectives

Students will be able to:

  • Identify the essential components of a spreadsheet
  • Utilize the essential functions of a spreadsheet program, such as sorting and filtering
  • Utilize spreadsheet functions to perform basic data cleaning and calculations
  • Propose and answer questions using essential spreadsheet operations
  • Perform data analysis to craft basic story ideas for further reporting

Module contents

  • Lecture
  • Class walkthroughs
  • Class exercises
  • Individual hands-on work
  • Group hands-on work
  • Class discussion

This module is designed to be taught over 1 to 4 class meetings, depending on the skill levels of students.

Total suggested in-class time: 3 hours, 10 minutes

What you’ll need

  • An Internet connection and Web browser
  • A Google account and access to Google Sheets

The data

NY COVID data | Data dictionary
A simplified version of the COVID Tracking Project’s data on testing and outcomes from the state of New York.
CT Long-term facility outbreak data | Data dictionary
COVID case counts and deaths from nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Connecticut recorded by the COVID Tracking Project.
CT town population data | Data dictionary
A simplified version of the Connecticut Department of Public Health’s annual town and county population estimates.
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