Visual Learning ‘Excel’lenceCapitalizing on the Interactive Environment

Bart D. Stewart

InstructorUnited States Military Academy

Agenda

West Point’s Classroom Environment– Where we are– Where we’re going

Core Math Challenges– What’s our big push?

Interactive Examples– Java– Excel– Java & Excel

Final Remarks

How to Build an ‘Excel’lent Interactive Environment

West Point’s Classroom Environment

Where we are

Composition

Management Interaction is Key

Activity

Logistics Proxima/ProjectorSmartboard

Where we’re going

Logistics LaptopsWireless Connection

“Take Boards”

To Excel SampleTo Board Problem Sheet

Core Math Challenges

What’s our big push?

Change!

How to model it?

Accounting/Solving for it quantitatively and qualitatively

Growth Velocity

Decay Acceleration

Oscillatory Motion Accumulation

Interactive Examples

– Java

– Excel

– Java & Excel

To Samples

Final Remarks

Advantages– Dynamic environment– Self-exploration and discovery (More of a toy!)– Build-ability– More applicable to real world applications

  Disadvantages

– Excel experience (Building the models)

Want to see how one is built?

http://www.dean.usma.edu/math/people/stewart/interactive_tools.htm

How to Build an ‘Excel’lent Interactive Environment