Philippine E-Journals

The Use of Spreadsheet in Teaching Mathematical Modeling: An Evaluation

Carmelita Y. Ragasa

Discipline: Mathematics

 

Abstract:

Mathematical modeling, the process of creating a mathematical representation of a phenomenon to gain a better understanding of such phenomenon, can facilitate and make more enjoyable the learning of mathematics, a number of inventors claim. The objectives of the study are two-fold: to identify the interesting mathematical models using spreadsheet that may be included in the syllabus of Mathematical Modeling, and to obtain an evaluation of the lessons by the students, mathematics faculty members and administrators. Ten lessons on mathematical models using the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet were incorporated in a Linear Algebra class of 35 students of computer science and information technology in the second semester of School Year 2008-2009, after which the lessons were evaluated by the students, administrators and faculty members. Sample lessons are appended.