Interactive Excel Spreadsheets: A Computational and Conceptual Learning Tool for Mathematics and Science Scott A. Sinex Department of Physical Sciences and Engineering Prince George’s Community College Presented at the Computation and Science for Teachers Workshop held at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, Pittsburgh, PA on 19-23 June 2006
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Interactive Excel Spreadsheets: A Computational and Conceptual Learning Tool for Mathematics and Science Scott A. Sinex Department of Physical Sciences.
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Interactive Excel Spreadsheets:A Computational and Conceptual
Learning Tool for Mathematics and Science
Scott A. SinexDepartment of Physical Sciences and
EngineeringPrince George’s Community College
Presented at the Computation and Science for Teachers Workshop held at the Pittsburgh
Supercomputing Center, Pittsburgh, PA on 19-23 June 2006
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)
...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
We will explore the equation of a straight line, y = mx +b.
Tutorial for a quadratic equation – click here
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