Authors
   Adler A. Nash JC
Institution
   University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
Title
   Knowing what was done: uses of a spreadsheet log file
Source
   Spreadsheets in Education (eJSiE), 1:2, 118-130, 2004
Abstract
   Spreadsheet use in educational environments has become widespread,
   likely because of the flexibility and ease of use of these
   tools. However, they have serious shortcomings if the teacher
   is to understand exactly what students or others have done. It
   is far too easy for students to replace a formula that gives an
   apparently unacceptable answer with a number that they believe to
   be correct. The same concern applies to recorded marks, as well
   as to business spreadsheets and to other reports that are used for
   decision-making. While intentionally misleading changes to spreadsheet
   files receive much attention, simple mistakes are probably more
   common. Some of these, such as the Trans-Alta Utilities (Globe and
   Mail, 2003) cut and paste error that cost the firm $24 million (US),
   have extreme consequences. Few are merely embarrassing. A log file or
   audit trail, enhanced by suitable filters, can allow both intentional
   and accidental changes that cause erroneous results to be caught. We
   have developed such a tool - TellTable - and are currently beginning
   to apply it in various application environments, including our own
   teaching. Preliminary reactions to the tool are reported.