So far I have learned how to do trendlines and use solver on Excel. I
am willing to spend the time to learn anything that would be good for my
students.
I plan to try it out in my precalculus class first and expand to
Algebra II and Calculus. I currently use Graphing Calculators in all
three classes.
I think I will introduce trendlines in Pre Calc after we have finished
the units on choosing an appropriate mathematical model from the list of
functions we have studied this year ( poly. rational, radical,
exponential, log, inverse , etc). I would approach it with the idea that
Excel can do the same work in choosing an appropriate function but has
the advantages of a better end product presentation--printer
capabilities ,etc. It is used in business and elsewhere, therefore
they are more likely to encounter its use rather than the graphing
calculator after graduation from college.
I think that spreadsheets and high school math belong together as much
as graphing calculators do. There does not seem to be a lot of this
going on. It may be because of a lack of availability of a sufficient
number of computers to the average high school math teacher.
Syrilda
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