Spreadsheet Modeling in Finance and Investment Courses

6 Pages Posted: 12 Sep 2000

See all articles by Craig W. Holden

Craig W. Holden

Indiana University - Kelley School of Business - Department of Finance

Kent L. Womack

University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management (Deceased)

Abstract

Finance is an inherently quantitative subject, and educators at both the undergraduate and graduate levels often struggle with finding the optimal approach that maximizes understanding and retention for their students, especially for students who are mathematically challenged.

In this column, we offer and encourage an approach we label "Spreadsheet Modeling" that has been quite successful in our classes and is growing in popularity. Obviously, spreadsheet modeling is not new. Academics and practitioners have benefited from it since the early 80's. Nor is our recommended approach completely new or the definitive final word on the subject. Our primary conviction is simply that the optimal use of spreadsheets for teaching finance and investments has been only modestly explored, and the benefits of using them is strictly "positive NPV" for initial student learning and concept retention.

In this column, we first summarize the pedagogical issues of why "Spreadsheet Modeling" as an overall approach works so well, and the value of differing sub-approaches. Then we offer several examples from our own classes and a survey of available resources (including textbook supplements) especially for investments-type courses.

Suggested Citation

Holden, Craig W. and Womack, Kent L., Spreadsheet Modeling in Finance and Investment Courses. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=241708

Craig W. Holden (Contact Author)

Indiana University - Kelley School of Business - Department of Finance ( email )

Kelley School of Business
1309 E. 10th St.
Bloomington, IN 47405
United States
812-855-3383 (Phone)
812-855-5875 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.kelley.iu.edu/cholden

Kent L. Womack

University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management (Deceased)

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