1. Excelets: A Discovery Learning Tool for Revitalizing College Algebra Scott A. Sinex Dept. of Physical Sciences & Engineering Prince George’s Community College Presented at MMATYC 2008 at Howard Community College

2. Why Excel? Ready off-the-shelf software Found in the work-place Found on home computers too Easy to use by students Can it be an interactive learning tool? (no marcos or VBA programming, just computation via formulas)

3. ...as a tool in math and science Great for handling, graphing, and analyzing data Easy transforming of data such as taking the log Regression and goodness-of-fit So a great tool for mathematical modeling of data and presenting graphs Using Excel for... Scientific Data Pre-set calculations & graphs – just add data

4. ...so now to Excelets! Excelets are interactive Excel spreadsheets A Java-like “Javaless” applet! A simulation of a mathematical model or an illustration of a simple concept A tool for higher-order thinking and illustrating science process and a tool that is easy to construct!!!!!

5. …so how do you use Excelets in college algebra? Create an exploratory learning environment The mode of questioning guides the student Mathematical modeling of data Investigate the behavior of functions …and with constant use of numerical, visual, symbolic, and verbal perspectives!

6. Is stack height proportional to the number of cookies? http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/cookies_stack.xls

7. Can you learn linear regression in 5 minutes or less? http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/regression.xls

8. How are the temperature scales on a thermometer related? http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/excelets/temperature_scales.xls

9. Is sea level changing? Will this cause any problems? http://mvhs.shodor.org/CAST2008/earth/inundator.xls

10. How does that variable influence the quadratic function? http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/excelets/quadratics.xls

11. …and some periodic functions as well http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/excelets/periodic_data.xls

12. As a learning tool... Active engagement of students Numerical experimentation Derive the ideal mathematical model “What if” scenarios Science processes –predictions –graphical interpretation –conclusions –random and systematic error (ideal to real) See Investigating Types of Errors Investigating Types of Errors Model Simulation science excelets

13. Some final thoughts… Engages students in higher-order thinking –Interpretation/Analysis/Synthesis Engages students in algebraic thinking –Variables/Patterns/Representations Engages students in science process –Hypotheses /Predictions/Conclusions Reeks of meeting national standards in mathematics, the sciences, and technology –AMATYC/MAA/NCTM/NAS/NSTA/ISTEAMATYCMAANCTMNASNSTAISTE

14. The “How to” resources... Developer's Guide to Excelets: Dynamic and Interactive Visualization with "Javaless" Applets or Interactive Excel Spreadsheets Tutorial, instructions, and a variety of interactive Excel spreadsheet examples Resource list for mathematics and science

15. More info... Scott Sinex – ssinex@pgcc.edussinex@pgcc.edu See course webpages and publications http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex Webpages embedded in PowerPoint – get LiveWeb (http://skp.mvps.org/liveweb.htm)http://skp.mvps.org/liveweb.htm Thanks for coming today too!!!