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Lesson by lesson podcasts for teachers of Illustrative Mathematics®.
(Based on IM 9-12 Math™ by Illustrative Mathematics®, available at www.illustrativemathematics.org.)
Spreadsheets. Not usually what comes to mind when you think exciting ways to learn math. Right? But that's exactly what we're diving into today.
Speaker 2:And it really is exciting to see it in action. The lesson plan we're digging into is spreadsheet computations. It's honestly pretty brilliant how it uses something like spreadsheets to teach those core algebra concepts we sometimes struggle to make relevant for students.
Speaker 1:Okay. So spreadsheet computations. It sounds, I don't know, kind of basic at first glance. If I'm a teacher, what's the big takeaway? Why should I be excited about trying this with my students?
Speaker 2:It's all about showing those students that spreadsheets are seriously powerful calculators. Like, forget what you think you know about them. This is next level stuff, especially when it comes to tackling those word problems that always seem to trip students up.
Speaker 1:Word problems. The bane of every algebra student's existence. I get it.
Speaker 2:Right. And this lesson, it's not just about plugging in numbers though. It's about giving students a deeper understanding of how to use spreadsheets effectively so they can really master those problem solving skills.
Speaker 1:I like it. It's about equipping them with the skill that translates to the real world, not just some abstract math they'll forget after the test.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And that's what makes it so engaging for them.
Speaker 1:Okay. So this lesson, does it assume my students are already, like, spreadsheet whizzes? Because, full disclosure, I'm not sure I could code a spreadsheet to save my life.
Speaker 2:No worries. You and every teacher listening, I'm sure. This is designed as a complete intro starting from the absolute basics. We're talking entering formulas, knowing what symbols to use for addition, subtraction, all of it, and even finding those symbols on the keyboard, which, believe it or not, can be a stumbling block for beginners.
Speaker 1:Just the little things. Right. Uh-huh. So practical, though. Love that.
Speaker 1:So they're getting hands on with the nitty gritty of how a spreadsheet works right from the get go. But what kind of activities are they actually doing? Paint me a picture.
Speaker 2:So picture this. You're a student in this class. You start with those basics, like we talked about, getting comfy with the lay of the land. But then then you hit this activity called use the contents of a cell in a calculation, And that's where things get really interesting.
Speaker 1:Oh, intrigue. I'm hooked. Tell me more.
Speaker 2:So instead of just typing numbers directly into formulas, they start referencing other cells. It's all about building those relationships between different parts of the spreadsheet.
Speaker 1:Interesting. So instead of isolated calculations, it starts to feel more like a connected system.
Speaker 2:You got it. That's huge because it helps students start to see how powerful spreadsheets can be. Like, imagine being able to automate a repetitive task or do a complex calculation without having to type it all out every single time. That's the beauty of it. And then on top of that, there's this activity called solve some problems.
Speaker 1:Okay. Solve some problems. I feel like I always have problems that need solving. What kind are we talking here?
Speaker 2:This is where they take what they've learned and apply it to real world scenarios, stuff they can relate to.
Speaker 1:Give me an example. I'm all about the concrete.
Speaker 2:Sure. Imagine you need to calculate travel time based on speed and distance. Or maybe you're baking and need to figure out how much of each ingredient you need if you're making multiple batches of cookies. Things like that, you know. Exactly.
Speaker 2:Get some thinking, practically.
Speaker 1:Okay. Yeah. That's way more engaging than just solve for x in some abstract equation.
Speaker 2:Exactly. That's what makes this lesson so brilliant in my opinion. It takes something that might seem kind of boring or intimidating at first glance, spreadsheets, and shows how they can actually be a fun and useful way to learn and use math.
Speaker 1:Love it when something clicks like that, you know.
Speaker 2:Me too. And it gets even better. There's this one activity. It's called good old raisins and peanuts. And let me tell you, it's fun.
Speaker 2:Right? So in this activity, get this, students get to use their spreadsheet skills, right, to help this character. Diego, I think his name is, he's making g o r p.
Speaker 1:Okay. G o r p. For those of us playing along at home who might not be familiar with that particular culinary term.
Speaker 2:Good old raisins and peanuts. Right? Trail mix, basically.
Speaker 1:Got it. Got it. Trail mix.
Speaker 2:Right. So they have to figure out, using spreadsheets, of course, how much GORP Diego can make based on how many boxes of raisins and bags of peanuts he has. Okay.
Speaker 1:I see where you're going with this. So it's like sneaking in some real life application of ratios and proportions there. Exactly.
Speaker 2:And it's really clever how they do it because it gets the students thinking, like, oh, wow. I can actually use this for something practical, like adjusting recipes or or, you know, just anything where you have multiple variables and you need to figure out the right balance. Right. Right. It's like taking multiple variables and you need to figure out the right balance.
Speaker 1:Right. Right. It's like taking those abstract concepts and making them make sense in a way that, like, a 13 year old actually cares about.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Yeah. Which is always the goal. Right? Because let's be real.
Speaker 2:No matter how well we design a lesson, there are always gonna be those little, yeah, those hiccups along the way, those misconceptions that tend to trip students up.
Speaker 1:Oh, absolutely. It's like those potholes on the road to understanding. You know? You can try to avoid them, but sometimes you just hit one and you're like, fuck, there it is again.
Speaker 2:So in the spirit of preparing our intrepid spreadsheet adventurers for those inevitable potholes, what are some of the common misconceptions teachers should be ready for with this material?
Speaker 1:Well, one of the biggest ones, and this is true for, like, math in general, right, but especially with spreadsheets, is understanding order of operations in those formulas. It's like, if you don't get that right, your calculations are gonna be all over the place. And let me tell you, those parentheses, they can really throw students for a loop.
Speaker 2:PM DOS, man. It gets us every time.
Speaker 1:Right. It's like the bane of every math student's existence. Right. And then another tricky thing is really wrapping their heads around how those cell references work in spreadsheets. Yeah.
Speaker 2:It's not like a regular calculator where you just punch in numbers, hit equals, and you're done. Right? Exactly. It's all about those relationships between the cells. You know?
Speaker 2:Mhmm. And the students don't quite get that. They might accidentally overwrite formulas or get results they weren't expecting. I've seen it happen a lot.
Speaker 1:It's like a domino effect almost. Right? You change one thing over here, and it can impact a whole chain of calculations without you realizing it.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And then, you know, on top of those conceptual things, sometimes there are just those more technical aspects of using a spreadsheet that can trip students up.
Speaker 1:Like what? Give me an example.
Speaker 2:Sure. Like remembering which symbols to use for the different operations or even just navigating between cells quickly and efficiently. It's like learning a new language almost.
Speaker 1:It's a whole world in there, a spreadsheet. So for teachers who are, you know, maybe a little intimidated themselves by this whole spreadsheet thing but are excited to dive in with their students, what are some things they can do to, like, proactively address those potential potholes and set their students up for success?
Speaker 2:Well, I think with order of operations, a lot of it comes down to really clear explanations and modeling. Right? Like, don't just tell them the rules. Show them.
Speaker 1:Love that. Show, don't tell.
Speaker 2:Right. And visual aids can be huge for this too. Like, I found that if you can visually break down a formula step by step so students can actually see how each part is being calculated in the right order, that could be a game changer for them.
Speaker 1:Making it visual, so key. Our brains just love visuals.
Speaker 2:They do. And then another thing that can be helpful is having students actually create their own formulas for a problem and then compare with each other.
Speaker 1:Oh, I like that. So they're not just passively following along. They're actively engaging with the material.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And in the process of doing that, they might catch mistakes they didn't even realize they were making, or they might see a different way to approach the problem, which is always good for learning.
Speaker 1:Collaborative learning for the win. What about those tricky cell references? Any tips for those?
Speaker 2:One thing that can make a world of difference, and it sounds so simple, but it's amazing how often it gets overlooked, is just encouraging students to clearly label their cells.
Speaker 1:Oh, you mean instead of just having, like, a jumble of numbers everywhere.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Because if they take the time to label each cell with what it represents, it not only helps them keep track of everything, but it also reinforces that understanding of how each cell relates to the problem they're trying to solve.
Speaker 1:It's like those little notes you make in the margins of your work, right, to remind yourself what's what.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Those little memory aids can go a long way. And then, of course, there's no substitute for good old fashioned practice.
Speaker 1:Practice makes progress as they say. But, you know, as we're talking about all this, it occurs to me that this lesson, it goes way beyond just math class. Right? These spreadsheet skills, they're valuable for, like, any job that involves data or calculations, which is a lot lot of jobs these days.
Speaker 2:Oh, absolutely. And it's only gonna become more important in the future as our world becomes more and more data driven. So whether your students end up in finance or research or even just managing their own personal finances, knowing how to use a spreadsheet effectively is gonna be a huge asset for them.
Speaker 1:It's like giving them a superpower almost. Like, suddenly, they can organize, analyze, and make sense of data in a way that most people can't. Pretty cool.
Speaker 2:Right? And who knows? It might even spark a passion for data analysis in some of them. You never know. It's all about opening those doors and showing them the possibilities.
Speaker 1:Love it. Speaking of possibilities, I'm curious. You've talked about a lot of different aspects of this lesson. But what is it about spreadsheet computation specifically that stands out to you? What makes it so valuable in your opinion?
Speaker 2:You know, I think what's really ingenious about this particular lesson is how it manages to integrate technology into the learning process in a way that feels seamless and natural, but without losing sight of those core mathematical concepts.
Speaker 1:So it's not just about using the spreadsheet as a fancy calculator.
Speaker 2:Right. It's about leveraging the power of the spreadsheet to actually deepen students' understanding of algebra and problem solving.
Speaker 1:So it becomes a partner in the learning process, not just a tool. I like that.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And I think that's what makes it so effective because it allows students to see the connections between those kind of abstract mathematical ideas and real world applications in a way that's really tangible and concrete.
Speaker 1:It's like bridging that gap between when am I ever gonna use this and, oh, I see how this actually applies to my life.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And another thing I really appreciate about this lesson is the way it's structured, you know. It starts with those basic skills, building a strong foundation, and then gradually introduces more complex concepts as students gain confidence. It's really well scaffolded.
Speaker 1:That's so important, especially with something like spreadsheets, which can seem kind of intimidating at first glance.
Speaker 2:For sure. But by breaking it down into manageable chunks and providing lots of support along the way Yeah. This lesson makes it accessible to a much wider range of learners, which I think is fantastic.
Speaker 1:It really does sound like they've thought of everything, which is, let's be honest, kinda rare for a lesson plan. You just, like, download off the Internet. You know?
Speaker 2:It's true. And that's a testament to the quality of the illustrative math resources, in my opinion. They've clearly put a lot of care and thought into creating materials that are not only effective but also engaging and accessible for both teachers and students.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. Major kudos to them. Yeah. They've taken a topic that, I'll be honest, I was a little hesitant about at first, spreadsheets, and they've made it exciting.
Speaker 2:I know. Right? It's not just about rows and columns and formulas anymore. It's about, like, empowerment. It's about Mhmm.
Speaker 2:Giving students the skills they need to solve problems, analyze data, and make sense of the world around them.
Speaker 1:It's like giving them a secret decoder ring for the data driven world, which is, you know, the world we live in now. Like it or not, data is everything.
Speaker 2:It is. And being able to navigate that world confidently to make sense of data and use it to your advantage, that's huge. And it all starts with those foundational skills that they're learning in this lesson.
Speaker 1:It's like you don't have to be a mathematician to appreciate the power of a good spreadsheet. Right?
Speaker 2:Exactly. And that's something I always try to emphasize with my students, you know, connecting what we're learning in the classroom to the bigger picture. Because when they see that relevance, when they realize that this stuff actually matters, that's when the real learning happens.
Speaker 1:It's like everything clicks into place. The why behind it all becomes so much clearer.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And that's what we're hoping to achieve with this deep dive first. We want our listeners to walk away with a fresh perspective on spreadsheets, not just as tools for calculations, but as gateways to deeper mathematical understanding and, honestly, just really useful life skills.
Speaker 1:A lofty goal, but I think we're on the right track. This has been such an insightful conversation. Any final thoughts for our spreadsheet sheet adventurers out there as they embark on their own data driven journeys?
Speaker 2:Just this. Don't underestimate the power of a good spreadsheet. This lesson is a perfect example of how something that might seem, I don't know, a little dry or technical at first glance can actually be a really engaging and empowering way to learn and use math.
Speaker 1:Well said. You've given us all a lot to think about. So listeners, as you go forth and conquer those spreadsheets, we leave you with this. What's one everyday problem you could solve more easily or efficiently using a spreadsheet? Go forth and calculate.