1. Excelets: A Learning Tool to Captivate the Google Generation Scott A. Sinex Department of Physical Sciences and Engineering Prince George’s Community College Presented at MICCA 2007 Conference in Baltimore, MD on 24-26 April

2. …the Google generation? synonyms: –Generation Xbox - iPod generation –instant-messaging generation –Internet generation quick answers and instant gratification multitask or short attention spans? cut and paste no interest in Boolean logic for searching navigate the web by trial and error …and now how do we hold there interest? “google generation” godwin

3. …so what do we do? Less pandering by instructors and more pondering by students It’s time to “click and think”…

4. Why Excel and Excelets? Ready off-the-shelf software and found in the workplace Great for handling, transforming, graphing, and analyzing data and developing mathematical models Now, what about developing interactive and dynamic spreadsheets as learning tools? …so let’s ponder some questions

5. Why is pizza always cut in an even number of slices? What if it were cut in an odd number of slices? fractions.xls

6. What about counting coins and making change? counting_coins.xls

7. How do the area and perimeter compare for a square and a rectangle? area_perimeter.xls

8. How do the various temperature scales compare? How do I determine the conversion relationships? temperature_scales.xls

9. …and what do students get from Excelets? Enhance technology skills with use of Excel for modeling data Engage in science process Engage in algebraic thinking Engage in higher-order thinking Reeks of meeting national standards in math, science, and technology A learning tool with an engaging pedagogy!!! …but can I do this?

10. How easy is it to develop an Excelet? interactive_features.xls

11. The “How to” resources... Developer's Guide to Excelets: Dynamic and Interactive Visualization with "Javaless" Applets or Interactive Excel Spreadsheets Tutorial, instructions, and a variety of interactive Excel spreadsheet examples Resource list for mathematics and science

12. More info... Scott Sinex – ssinex@pgcc.edussinex@pgcc.edu See course webpages and publications http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex http://academic.pgcc.edu/~ssinex Webpages embedded in PowerPoint – get LiveWeb (http://skp.mvps.org/liveweb.htm)http://skp.mvps.org/liveweb.htm...and THANKS for coming today!!!