Computational Reasoning for Novice Learners: The Amazing Power of Animated Interactive Spreadsheets

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Computational Reasoning for Novice Learners The
Amazing Power of Animated Interactive Spreadsheets

• Scott A. Sinex
• Prince Georges 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
Teragrid
Supercomputers
Computer programming
Spreadsheets
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 Developers
  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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and just maybe
Computational spreadsheets
computational pipeline
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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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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) dont know 7 (2)
All Student Survey results http//academic.pgcc.ed
u/ssinex/excelets/assess.htm
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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 10 (3) 11 (3) not at all
dont 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
dont know
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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
lthttp//academic.pgcc.edu/ssinex/exceletsgt
Tutorial, instructions, and a variety of
interactive Excel spreadsheet examples Resource
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
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excelets