1. Animated Interactive Spreadsheets: It’s Dynamic Graphical Storytelling Time!
Scott A. Sinex
Dept. of Physical Sciences & Engineering
Prince George’s Community College
League of Innovation Conference 2010, Baltimore, MD

2. Why interactive spreadsheets?
Easy access for students and useful for them to know
Easy for instructors to develop – see Developer’s Guide to Excelets
Creates an engaging pedagogy

3. …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!!!!

4. …and every graph tells a story!
Why is pizza cut in even number of slices?

5. Here we use spinner from the Forms toolbar
Here we use spinner from the Forms toolbar. The Forms Tools operate on both PC and Mac platforms.

6. How does a burning candle behave?
Here we collect the data by clicking the up arrow on the spinner.

7. …adding error to the data
Scatter is added to the data by increasing random error.
=E6+$K$7*RANDBETWEEN(-10,10)/10+$G$10
The circled scroll bar controls the size of random variation.

8. Burning candle… The activity including notes to the instructors–
The Excelet –

9. Viewing data of tidal gauge stations
Option buttons allow which data set is viewed.

10. Just add data… When data is added, mathematical model appears.

11. …physical and mathematical models
The rim height controls the slope and the base height controls the y-intercept.
Look under the graphs for how they were constructed!!!

12. …and more Excelets Learn linear regression
Interpolation and extrapolation
x- and y-intercpets
Rate of change explorer

13. Remember…
It is all done computationally – formulas, logical statements (no programming!!!)
Look under the graphs for construction help.
See the Developer’s Guide for instructions!!!!

14. 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

15. 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 % (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 % (4) 4% (1)

16. 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
<
Tutorial, instructions, and over 150 interactive Excel spreadsheet examples
Resource list for mathematics and science
League of Innovation Conference 2010, Baltimore, MD

17. More info... …and thanks for coming today too!!! Scott Sinex
Partial support for this work was provided by the Howard/Hopkins/PGCC Partnership for Research and Education in Materials (PREM), funded by NSF Grant No. DMR
…and thanks for coming today too!!!

18. excelets