Using spreadsheets in learning equations

BAĞDAT O.

9th Congress of the European-Society-for-Research-in-Mathematics-Education (CERME), Prague, Czech Republic, 4 - 08 February 2015, pp.2426-2427 identifier

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
  • City: Prague
  • Country: Czech Republic
  • Page Numbers: pp.2426-2427
  • Keywords: Spreadsheets, arithmetic, algebra
  • Anadolu University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Spreadsheets as a very functional tool has been used in many studies to facilitate transition process from arithmetic to algebra. In this study, we describe middle-grade students' experiences about using spreadsheets in learning equations. For this purpose, ten 7th grade students who had been taken an elective mathematics course participated in a spreadsheet activity about exploring equations with two unknowns. As a result, working on the problem arithmetically with spreadsheets helped students to conceive the spreadsheet cells as variables and it facilitate the students' formulization of arithmetic generalisations.