scott a. sinex prince george’s community college
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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. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Computational Reasoning for Novice Learners: The Amazing Power of Animated Interactive
SpreadsheetsScott A. Sinex
Prince George’s Community College
Undergraduate Computational Engineering and Sciences Program Finalists’ Presentations at SC10, 13-16 November 2010
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Low-end of the computational food chain
Spreadsheets
Computer programming
Supercomputers
Teragrid
Amazing power!!!
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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
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…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!!!!
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computational pipeline
Computational spreadsheets
…and just maybe
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Measure and build a mathematical model
Experiment model simulation
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Develop an understanding of the model
The physical and mathematical models
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Examine possible errors in the model
Explore the influence of a variety of random and systematic errors
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Burning a virtual candle model
Simulation model error
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Changing the approach
Examine the model in a different way
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Radiocarbon and age dating
Macroscopic and microscopic views
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The systems modeling approach
Systems model of production in atmosphere and radioactive decay
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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)
Student feedback…
All Student Survey resultshttp://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/excelets/assess.htm
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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)not at all don’t know
more feedback…
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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.
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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
examplesResource list for mathematics and
science
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My sincere thanks• SC10 and the UCES 2010 award
committee• My colleagues at
• Support from NSF for
Maryland Virtual High School
18excelets