Response to Scaffolding Math Learning with Spreadsheets

Niess, M. (2005). Scaffolding Math Learning with Spreadsheets. Learning & Leading with Technology, 35 (5), 24-25, 48.

Points of Thought:

1. Why should technological tools be used to help teach subjects like mathematics?

When looking back at previous generations, it is hard to imagine a time without calculators because of their widespread use today. Almost every student learns at one time or another during their elementary education how to use a calculator. The calculator is one of the early examples of using technology to teach mathematics. While it is important that students have a solid foundation in math concepts, it is equally as important that they learn how to use the tools around them to further their education. No one has objections to the calculator because it has been around for several decades and almost all teachers know how to use them. On this same note, it is important for teachers to teach their students how to use modern tools, such as spread sheets, to help them advance their education. Perhaps one of the most common issues with this idea, however, is that teacher are unsure how to use the tools themselves and therefore do not find it to be beneficial to be teaching the students about them. This article, however, helps teacher see why it is so important.

The article points out that technology is becoming increasingly important to our world and therefore it is important for students to not only know how to use the tools but also how to apply them. The best way to illustrate the applications of computer programs is to teach them hand in hand with the subjects and situations that they would be used for in the real world. The program discussed in the article is the use of spreadsheets as they apply to math concepts.

One of the really neat features of this article is the fact that it actually takes the time to teach the reader how to program equations and formulas into the spreadsheet. In doing this, it illustrates how simple the spreadsheet program is. It also illustrates how the use of spreadsheets is conductive to higher levels of thought and critical thinking as the students work to find equations and solutions.

2. How does using spreadsheets in math help meet NETS for students and teachers?

One of the NETS-T met through this idea is the first one that states teachers should “Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity”. The subcategories of this standard discuss the importance of innovative thinking, exploring authentic problems, clarify students’ conceptual thinking, and engaging in learning with students. Spreadsheets are a useful tools in each of these. They inspire students to look for alternative solutions and algorithms to solve problems because the results can be seen instantly with complete accuracy. In doing this, the students are working to invent their own ways of solving real world situational problems. By stimulating real life application situations, teachers help students prepare for the real world. This also allows the teacher to let the students use their own thinking process to reach the solution. Finally, spreadsheets can be used effectively in group projects and demonstrations.

In addition to meeting the Teacher standards, this concept allows aids in the completion of the NETS for students. The fourth standard states that students should use “Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making” to identify and define authentic problems, develop a solution, analyze data, and use multiple processes. The spreadsheets allow for this because the students are responsible for finding the solution to given problems using technology on their own. In order to do this, they have to be able to identify life situations and problems that can benefit from this type of analysis. The students are then responsible for interpreting the data given to them to create an appropriate algorithm to solve the problem. In doing this, the students are each given the opportunity to try different approaches to solving the same problem.