Scaffolding Math Learning with Spreadsheets

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, NCTM, is challenging mathematics teachers to investigate technological tools to aid in teaching math.  These tools would also assist teachers in meeting the ISTEs NETS for students. However, many teachers complain because they have to then teach the student basic operation and concepts of the technology they are going to have to use, thus taking away time from learning math. Margaret Niess suggests that mathematics and the technology skills can be taught simultaneously with the right lesson plans (2005).

In her article, she suggests using spreadsheets as the technology tool, and having teachers scaffolding the students learning about spreadsheets while they are also learning mathematics. She goes on to provide five example problems that teachers could use to teach both the use of spreadsheets and lessons in mathematics.  Through these examples the students are learning how to write formulas using cell names, using more advanced methods to copy formulas through rows and columns, or making charts to explore patterns in data.  The options are endless.

The key to scaffolding the technology learning to the mathematics lessons is for students to gain spreadsheet skills in a piecemeal fashion, keeping the activity’s focus on mathematics.  Each of her examples has the students learning only one or two new skills on the spreadsheet application. She says that teachers must first identify the spreadsheet skills students need to work on, and then find a place in your curriculum that would support the technology lesson. This kind of planning results in students who are comfortable in using spreadsheets to solve mathematical problems, a tool many adults use on a daily basis, because it teaches them from the start how to do mathematics with the tool.

Reference:

Niess, M. (2005). Scaffolding Math Learning with Spreadsheets.  Learning and Leading with Technology, 32, 24-25, 48.