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DfES Key Stage 3

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Interactive mathematics lessons for KS3 & KS4 using excel

Word and excel files produced by the ATM in partnership with the MA to support a range of users from the adopter is new to excel, the adapter who may use the files in the classroom to the innovator who is looking to support colleagues in their development.

Who is this pack for?

All KS3 and KS4 mathematics teachers
Additionally, for those teachers who want to extend their knowledge of Excel to write flexible and interactive teaching programs

Aims

The aims of this INSET pack are to:

• provide ready-to-use flexible and interactive lesson activities using specially written Excel files

• explore pedagogical issues concerning these activities

• explore in detail how the Excel files are produced so that teachers can write their own similar Excel files

Lesson activities

Two different suites of Excel files are included in this pack.

For KS3: Exploring mean, median and range

The interactive lesson activities are about finding the set of whole numbers which have a given mean, median and range. The problems are randomly generated. The numbers used can be varied between -20 and 100. The number of numbers used to produce the mean, median and range can be varied between 3 and 8. The numbers are entered using scroll bars and so the user can see the effect of changing the numbers on the mean, median and range.

Pedagogically , they illustrate how the computer can enhance the understanding of mathematics by posing random problems to be solved. They also illustrate how programs can be written in such a way that the level of demand can be adjusted to suit the capability of different groups of students.

Technically, as well as illustrating features of screen design, these files illustrate the use of random numbers and techniques that can be used to get the computer to set up questions for solution, using the random generator

For KS4: Multiplying out and factorising of quadratic expressions

The interactive lesson activities focus on discussion of algebraic quadratic statements, the most general type of which is (3x + 4)(2x - 5) = 6x 2 -7x - 20. The three different 'parts' of this statement can each be hidden. The resulting images can be discussed to help pupils establish and rehearse rules for working with these expressions.

Pedagogically, the programs illustrate how the computer can present examples for exploring and practising algebraic techniques and how a suite of programs can provide a progressive presentation of a mathematical topic, where exploration begins with solving problems concerning numbers in preparation for solving 'problems' concerning the factorisation of quadratic expressions.

Technically, these will illustrate how the contents of cells can be hidden and revealed and how random number generation can be used in connection with the provision of examples for multiplying out or factorisation.

Use of Excel

Excel knowledge assumed

You do not need to know anything about Excel in order to run the ready-to-use lesson activities.

If you want to learn how to write similar Excel files for yourself it is assumed you are already familiar with these features:

Entering a formula into a cell
Copying formulae down and across
Changing the size of cells
Changing the size of fonts and aligning the contents of cells
Colouring cells and blocks of cells
Putting borders round blocks of cells
Using the $ sign to prevent a cell reference from changing when a formula is copied down or across

Using the Excel files

The Excel files contain macros. Consequently, in order to use them you need to set the security level in your Excel to 'Medium' or 'Low', as follows:

Open Excel - Click on:

• Tools on the menu bar at the top of the screen

• Options

• The Security tab

• Macros security towards the bottom of the box

• Either 'Medium' or 'Low' to reset the security level

• 'OK' twice

Doing this only affects the security levels within Excel.

Macros

Several of the files use macros. To inspect or edit a macro, click on 'Tools' and then on 'Macro' and then on 'Macros'. Then click on the name of the macro you want to inspect or edit and then click on 'Edit'. When you have inspected or edited the macro you can close the sheet in the usual way.