Scott A. Sinex Prince George’s Community College Computational Reasoning for Novice Learners: The Amazing Power of Animated Interactive Spreadsheets Scott A. Sinex Prince George’s Community College Undergraduate Computational Engineering and Sciences Program Finalists’ Presentations at SC10, 13-16 November 2010 SC 10 UCES Award

Low-end of the computational food chain Teragrid Supercomputers Computer programming Spreadsheets Amazing power!!! SC 10 UCES Award

Why interactive spreadsheets? Easy access for students and teachers and useful for them to know Easy for instructors to develop – see Developer’s Guide to Excelets Creates an engaging pedagogy in math and the sciences

…more why? Addresses topics conceptually, while camouflaging mathematics Students have to think: predict - test - analyze Allows for mathematical modeling and studying errors More science process Mathematics resurfaces!!!!

computational pipeline …and just maybe Computational spreadsheets computational pipeline

Measure and build a mathematical model Experiment  model  simulation

Develop an understanding of the model The physical and mathematical models

Examine possible errors in the model Explore the influence of a variety of random and systematic errors

Burning a virtual candle model Simulation  model  error

Changing the approach Examine the model in a different way

Radiocarbon and age dating Macroscopic and microscopic views

The systems modeling approach Systems model of production in atmosphere and radioactive decay

All Student Survey results Student feedback… Which do you prefer: Spring 07 Spring 09 static graphs in textbook 21% (6) 7% (2) dynamic graphs in Excel 76% (22) 89% (25) both 3% (1) 4% (1) Using Excelets does not require that you be familiar with Excel. most definitely 7% (2) 25% (7) I think so 38% (11) 36% (10) just barely 34% (10) 32% (9) not at all 14% (4) 7% (2) don’t know 7% (2) All Student Survey results http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/excelets/assess.htm

more feedback… Excelets offer a more visual experience with graphs instead of using just the mathematical equations. most definitely 66% (19) 75% (21) I think so 24% (7) 14% (4) just barely 10% (3) 11% (3) not at all don’t know Excelets make it easier to grasp or learn a concept. most definitely 55% (16) 43% (12) I think so 31% (9) 54% (15) just barely 14% (4) 4% (1)

Post workshop survey… As you think back on the CAST program experience, which part(s) of the training were most helpful and why? Learning Excelets… Learning Vensim… Learning NetLogo… Responses from 21 TEACHERS (out of 46) from three years.

Resource list for mathematics and science The “How to” resources... Developer's Guide to Excelets: Dynamic and Interactive Visualization with "Javaless" Applets or Interactive Excel Spreadsheets <http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/excelets> Tutorial, instructions, and a variety of interactive Excel spreadsheet examples Resource list for mathematics and science SC 10 UCES Award

My sincere thanks SC10 and the UCES 2010 award committee My colleagues at Support from NSF for Maryland Virtual High School

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