Creating a Monthly Budget: Implementation Presentation Designed by: Mike Dillon $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ University of Phoenix Integrating Educational Technology in the Classroom CMP 540 James Laub, Facilitator December 19, 2005

INTRODUCTION Creating a monthly budget is an application of mathematics that many people use in the real world. Budgets can help: Organize Bills Expenses Keep Track of Spending Ensure that there is some money left at the end of the month

INTRODUCTION Creating a monthly budget is an application of mathematics that many people use in the real world. The purpose of this project is to help students learn about how a budget works and to conduct a real-life simulation to help students understand what paying bills in the real world might be like.

INTRODUCTION Creating a monthly budget is an application of mathematics that many people use in the real world. The students will hopefully have a realistic budgeting experience, take an active role in creating and managing a budget, and connect mathematics in the classroom to mathematics in the real world.

Using Technology Various types of technology and computer applications are used over the course of this project. WORD PROCESSING – Microsoft Word SPREADSHEET – Microsoft Excel PRESENTATION – Microsoft PowerPoint INTERNET – Microsoft Internet Explorer

Using Technology Technology is also used for a variety of purposes: To record information, ideas, and answers. To search for information and facilitate the research process. To guide the students through lessons and activities. To conduct simulations. To enhance the learning process place to focus on the learning objectives of the project.

Technology Examples Using the Internet Throughout the course of project, the Internet is used primarily as a source of research information. The lessons provide students with websites to start with. Each lesson also allows for the possibility of the students expanding their search to other websites. Click on the links on the following page to see examples of some of the websites…

Technology Examples Using the Internet Lesson Plan #1 – Choosing Your Career The following websites provides information about careers: Lesson Plan #2 – Budget Brainstorm In this activity, the students use the Internet as tool to gather more information about the types of items that might show up on a budget. The students are given more freedom to search the Internet for budget examples.

Technology Examples Using the Internet Lesson Plan #3 – Monthly Expenses In this activity, the students access the websites of local business, utility companies, vehicle financing branches of major automotive companies, and insurance companies. Some examples include:

Technology Examples Using the Internet Lesson Plan #3 – Monthly Expenses In this activity, the students also access a website with a free credit card calculator. This tool allows them to look at the affects of interest rate, paying only the minimum payments, and etc. The website is:

Technology Examples Using Word Processing Word processing is used throughout the project as a tool for recording information and answering questions. Each lesson has interactive worksheets that the students can access to record their answers. The worksheets may be printed off as hardcopies to fill out in class, or they can be directly typed into in the word processing program. Math is fun! Technology is awesome! Mr. Dillon is cool!

Technology Examples Using Word Processing Some examples of the worksheets are:

Technology Examples Using PowerPoint In Lesson #3, PowerPoint is the format used for a Webquest. The WebQuest guides the students as they search for information about monthly expenses. The following slides are examples from the WebQuest for Lesson #3.

Housing and Utilities To gather information about the cost of housing, search the classified ads in our local newspapers. Look to see how much rent costs for various types of apartments and/or houses. WAUKON STANDARD AND POSTVILLE HERALD DECORAH JOURNAL WATERLOO-CEDAR FALLS COURIER

Housing and Utilities To gather information about the cost of purchasing a house, click on the link below. BANK OF THE WEST CALCULATOR Input a value for the down payment. Assume a relatively low amount since many of you would be just starting out. Input different values for the monthly payment to see how the purchase price of the home changes. Do not change the term, interest rate, property tax, or insurance sections!

Housing and Utilities To gather information about the cost of various utilities, click on the following links. Electricity – ALLIANT ENERGY Natural Gas – AQUILLA Telephone, Internet, Cable, Etc. – CENTURYTEL Water, Sewer, and Garbage – CITY OF POSTVILLE

Technology Examples Using a Spreadsheet A spreadsheet is used in the final lesson of the project. The spreadsheet is part of a budget simulation that the students conduct as they examine how a budget is used for managing money and tracking expenses. The advantage of the spreadsheet is that it speeds up the process and allows the focus of the lesson to stay on the main idea and not get lost in the details.

Technology Examples Using a Spreadsheet A sample of the spreadsheet looks like:

CONCLUSION This project addresses a topic that many students will see when they enter the workforce. The students are able to make connections between math in the classroom and math in the real world. The advantages of the project include: The students have an authentic learning experience that requires them to be active in the learning process and to work collaboratively with others. Technology is integrated in a fashion that enhances the learning process.