Transcript Simulations in the Math/Science Classroom: Creating an Engaging Pedagogy with Excel!

Simulations in the
Math/Science Classroom:
Creating an Engaging Pedagogy
with Excel!
Scott A. Sinex
Prince George’s Community College, Maryland
Mark Clemente
National Institute of Aerospace/Virginia Beach Public Schools
Presented as a webinar at VSTE Conference in Virginia Beach
on 22-24 February 2009
Why interactive spreadsheets?
• Easy access for students and good tool
for them to know
• Easy for instructors to develop – see
Developer’s Guide to Excelets
• Creates an engaging pedagogy
…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!!!!
How are the temperature scales related?
http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/excelets/temperature_scales.xls
How does the size of an atom vary on the periodic table?
http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/excelets/radii_comparison.xls
How does the length of a spring vary with mass added?
http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/excelets/Hooke’s_Law_solver.xls
How is the energy of dissociation related to composition?
http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/excelets/DNA_base_pairing.xls
How do you square a binomial?
http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/excelets/square_binomial.xls
Excelets ….
• Interactive concept
exploration
• Supports Mathematicians'
“Rule of Four”
• Mathematical modeling
• Error analysis
• Supports national standards in
mathematics, sciences, and technology
http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/excelets
Student feedback…
Which do you prefer:
static graphs in a textbook
dynamic graphs in Excel
both
21% (6)
76% (22)
3%
(1)
Using Excelets does not require that you be familiar
with Excel.
most definitely
I think so
just barely
not at all
don’t know
7%
38%
34%
14%
7%
(2)
(11)
(10)
(4)
(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
I think so
just barely
not at all
don’t know
66% (19)
24% (7)
10% (3)
Excelets make it easier to grasp or learn a concept.
most definitely
I think so
just barely
not at all
don’t know
55% (16)
31% (9)
14% (4)
What do student like most?
Lecture using Excelet
Predict-test-analyze
2.31
Group act done in class
2.59
Individual Project
3.00
Lecture - no Excelet
3.38
Group act out of class
3.48
1
most-favored
2
3
Mean with +/- standard deviation
4
5
least-favored
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
Excelets developed by high
school teachers…
• Hampton Roads Modeling and Simulation
Initiative
http://modsim.wikispaces.com/Math+and+Scie
nce+Lessons
• Exercises developed by Computation and
Science Teachers (CAST) Workshop
http://www.psc.edu/eot/k12/cast.php
(see previous years)
More info...
• Scott Sinex – [email protected]
http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex
• Mark Clemente – [email protected]
• Webpages embedded in PowerPoint –
get LiveWeb
(http://skp.mvps.org/liveweb.htm)
…and thanks for coming today too!!!
Resources
• Computational Resources by Maryland Virtual
High School
http://mvhs.shodor.org/CAST2008
• Introduction to Computational Science
Angela B. Shiflet and George W. Shiflet
http://woffordecs.org/IntroComputationalScience
• Supercomputing Conference Education
Program Wiki
http://sc08edprogk12.wikispaces.com/
Data analysis
• Graphing with Excel – LabWrite
http://www.ncsu.edu/labwrite/res/gt/gt-menu.html
• Using Excel for Handling, Graphing, and
Analyzing Scientific Data: A Resource for
Science and Mathematics Students
http://academic.pgcc.edu/psc/Excel_booklet.pdf
Data sets
• Quantitative Environmental Learning Project
(QELP) as Excel files
http://seattlecentral.edu/qelp/Data.html
• Exploring Data – datasets as Excel files
http://exploringdata.cqu.edu.au/datasets.htm