SpreadSheets in Math.

  Like it or not, spread sheets are an important part of running a business.  Spread sheets are used to create so many documents but the bottom line is many applications within the spread sheet requires math.  In addition, spreadsheets can be used for assessments in the math classroom.

Education world states spreadsheets help facilitate inquiry and analysis, explore elementary algebra as they use functions and function tables.

In addition, students can observe patterns as values are changed, can do data analysis with dynamic graphs which adjust as data is added or changed, or they can compare and contrast real life data with theoretical data.  Research indicates that the use of spreadsheets in the classroom is a step towards creating student centered classroom.

What is so cool, is the use of spread sheets for sequences such as arithmetic, geometric, triangular, squared, cubed, and perhaps even the Fibonacci sequence. Create formulas for conversions of length, weight, money conversions. etc.  Alphabetize lists or sort by numerical value, make dynamic magic squares, create function machines, etc.

Spreadsheets can be used to perform standard operations of multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction along with exponents, order of operations, and functions such as sum, average, minimum, and maximum.  Spreadsheets are also great for finding the line of best fit when analyzing data.

According to one article I read, spreadsheets are awesome for "What If" scenarios when you want to see what certain changes do to the whole situation.  For instance, if you purchase a house using an adjustable rate mortgage, what does a 1/8th percent increase do to the overall cost of the loan?  How much will it change the monthly payment?.  What happens if the interest drops?  How does an increase or decrease change the over all cost of a 15 vs 30 year mortgage. 

One suggestion from Alice Keeler who is a google guru and recently co-wrote a book on this topic is you create a vocabulary list of words for the topic in one column.  Label several other columns with sub topics so students can sort the words into the proper group.

If you are not sure where to start, check out What If Math.  They have a whole list of labs students can utilize in the classroom beginning with introductory labs designed to get them started.  Dr Christie has another great site with links to interactive spreadsheet activities for more ideas.  While you're at it check Kutztown Univeristy for more great ideas including weighted averages, creating charts, keeping a checkbook and other activities.

Remember, if you do not know how to do something, check YouTube to help you learn, then post the link in Google classroom or in a QR code so students can watch it themselves to learn.  Remember, let them do most of it themselves. 

I found directions so students could create their own quadratic factoring calculator using the spreadsheet.  This is one of my projects to learn this year so I can have students do it next year.  So Let me know what you think.  Have a great day.

Are Spreadsheets in Math Really Effective

As a math teacher, I wondered if there was a "correct" way to use spreadsheets that deepens understanding rather than being just a time filler.  Since most places have adapted the Common Core, teachers are required to improve the student's depth of understanding.  As you know, I've found all sorts of spreadsheet activities but what is the best way to use them.  So today I'm exploring the best ways to do use spreadsheets.
According to an article in Education World, spreadsheets can be effectively used but it depends on how, when, and why they are used.

There is an idea that a blank speadsheet is like the student of a student .  In other words, the student has to enter the correct information into the spreadsheet so the spreadsheet "learns" to do the math.  The formula's have to be right for the spreadsheet to produce the correct answers.

The article indicates that spreadsheets are a good way to:
1. Extend patterns.
2. Explore algebra through formulas and functions in a variety of ways.  Check the article out for the details.

Just know that spreadsheets can be used to improve understanding and communicate mathematically.  Spreadsheets allow us to speak math with formulas and functions.  We can extend generalizations, and we can develop meaningful real life uses.  The two pieces of advice they give are stay focused on math and keep it simple.

According to an article in ERIC digest, spreadsheets are the ideal vehicle to connect arithmetic with algebra and allows a person to move back and forth quickly.  Spreadsheets help students develop an understanding of mathematical concepts, seeing relationships among different types of representations, and discover how a change in one place effects the other parts.  It also allows them to develop mathematical reasoning because they are freed from worrying about calculations and algebraic manipulation.

SERC has a short page on Why teachers should use spreadsheets in math class.  One of the first things stated is that most students have spreadsheets on their computers or have access to it via google docs.  In addition, most students will need to use it when they graduate and head off to work.  Because they are so easy to set up, spreadsheets increase both the breadth and depth of the class.  It has been suggested that spreadsheets can increase critical thinking by its very nature.  It also improves qualitative fluency and a student has to apply the process when they use one because they are modeling the data rather than just reading it.

Finally for tonight, Education has a lovely write-up that summarizes the whole topic. It can be summarized in this way.  Spreadsheets can be used to:
1. Save time.
2. Organize displays of information.
3. Allow "What if" questions to be displayed.
4. Increase motivation to work with mathematics.

So all in all, it looks like spreadsheets are great if used properly.  That is good to know and helps me prepare my lessons for next year.

Using spreadsheets in Math class

Yesterday, I did a quick search on using spreadsheets in the mathematics classroom and most of the activities dealt with finance or something similar.  I did not find much on using them with various functions so I was a bit disappointed.  Then about the same time I went to bed, I wondered if I could use a spreadsheet to prepare tables for graphing linear equations or systems or inequalities. 
I noticed that my students seem to have a disconnect between the equations, the tables and the actual graphs so I got to thinking if I could use a spreadsheet to form a link between calculating the points by hand and using a table on a calculator or app. 
This type of activity might help students see a connection between the equation and the results in the table by going through this middle step.  My students often have trouble seeing the connections between the beginning and ending of a process.
Over the summer, I plan to learn to use all the parts of the Algebra Tiles app so that students get a more hands-on experience to combining like terms, solving one and two step equations, factoring, etc.  I only know how to use part of the app so I need to work on it.
 

Real World Math

I am thinking of spending some time this summer and creating units for my math classes.  Units that include some real world mathematics such as some real biology population studies and the mathematics,  or which interest equations (compounded or continuous) are used for savings accounts, loans, house buying,  car buying, etc.  I want these units to give students a chance to see how one type of equation works in a few different situations.  Furthermore, I can set up some of the exercises so they use spread sheets, graphing calculators and maybe putting things together at the end of the unit with a presentation, a project or maybe an infographic.  If I work on these units over the summer, I should be able to integrate the technology in such a way as to increase understanding but not just have technology.

Spread sheets.

I need to find a couple activities so my students can use spreadsheets.  I put documents 2 go which has both a word processor and a spread sheet.  Although, students take computer classes in which they learn to use various programs such as MS Word, Excel, Keynote, Pages, etc, I've found they really don't know how to really use the programs.  It is like they play with it but do not really learn the programs.  I also need to give students a chance to use spreadsheets within a mathematical/real life facet so they see a connection between the computer class and a more real world application.  
I also need to explore two websites tomorrow during my prep period.  I'm told the sites are for grades k to 6 or k to 8 but many of my students are below grade level in many aspects of Math and I'm thinking of registering for the sites and using them as scaffolding to help them improve.  I am assured that both websites can be used on the iPads.  Nothing is more frustrating than to discover that an awesome website I found cannot be used on the iPads.  I am going to try to set up the exit ticket tonight and see if I can get it working for tomorrow and treat the results as a quiz.