Animated Interactive Spreadsheets: It’s Dynamic Graphical Storytelling Time!

1. Animated Interactive Spreadsheets: It’s Dynamic Graphical Storytelling Time! Scott A. Sinex Dept. of Physical Sciences & Engineering Prince George’s Community College

2. Why interactive spreadsheets? Easy access for students and useful for them to know Easy for instructors to develop – see Developer’s Guide to Excelets Creates an engaging pedagogy

3. …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!!!!

4. …and every graph tells a story! Why is pizza cut in even number of slices?

5. Here we use spinner from the Forms toolbar. The Forms Tools operate on both PC and Mac platforms. http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/excelets/fractions.xls

6. How does a burning candle behave? Here we collect the data by clicking the up arrow on the spinner. http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/excelets/burning_candles.xls

7. …adding error to the data Scatter is added to the data by increasing random error. =E6+$K$7*RANDBETWEEN(-10,10)/10+$G$10 The circled scroll bar controls the size of random variation.

8. Burning candle… • The activity including notes to the instructors– http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/excelets/burning_candles_act.pdf • The Excelet – http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/excelets/burning_candles.xls

9. Viewing data of tidal gauge stations Option buttons allow which data set is viewed. http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/excelets/inundator.xls

10. Just add data… When data is added, mathematical model appears. http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/excelets/stacking_cups.xls

11. …physical and mathematical models The rim height controls the slope and the base height controls the y-intercept. Look under the graphs for how they were constructed!!!

12. …and more Excelets • Learn linear regression http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/regression.xls • Interpolation and extrapolation http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/interpol_extrapol.xls • x- and y-intercpets http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/excelets/intercepts.xls • Rate of change explorer http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/excelets/Rate_of_Change_Explorer.xls

13. Remember… • It is all done computationally – formulas, logical statements (no programming!!!) • Look under the graphs for construction help. • See the Developer’s Guide for instructions!!!!

14. Student feedback… Which do you prefer: Spring 07Spring 09 static graphs in textbook 21% (6) 7% (2) dynamic graphs in Excel76% (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) All Student Survey results http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex/excelets/assess.htm

15. 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 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

16. 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 over 150 interactive Excel spreadsheet examples Resource list for mathematics and science

17. More info... Scott Sinex ssinex@pgcc.edu http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex Partial support for this work was provided by the Howard/Hopkins/PGCC Partnership for Research and Education in Materials (PREM), funded by NSF Grant No. DMR-0611595 …and thanks for coming today too!!!

18. excelets