Using spreadsheets in teaching variable concept: A teaching experiment

The transition from arithmetic to algebraic plays an important role in developing mathematical thinking. In the beginning of this process, basic concept is the concept of variable which is firstly seen in the algebra learning area on 6th grade. It is pointed out that variable is one of the concepts that students face many difficulties about perceiving it. Different instructional environments can be effective to cope with these difficulties. Additionally, many studies imply that spreadsheets have potential to support meaning of the concept of variable. The aim of the study was to introduce variable concept in spreadsheet environment and to examine this process. The study was based on the method of teaching experiment which had three phases. In the first phase the spreadsheet was introduced to the students. In the second phase, the study ran on activities about the first subject of algebra learning area-`patterns and relations? in spreadsheet environment. In the way of having pattern generalization process in second phase, students faced to concept of variable at first. In the third phase students were given a sequence of spreadsheet activities to find out their understanding of the concept of variable. Lastly, teaching processes were examined more detailed with the help of clinical interviews. In the study, one of spreadsheet programs, Microsoft Excel software was used. The teaching experiment was implemented with 15 students who study on 6th grade (11-12 ages) in a primary school in Eskişehir. The students at first introduced with the spreadsheet and mathematics classes went on in the computer lab during the teaching programme. The class has been videotaped during the teaching process. The phases of exercises have been recorded by special software, which has been installed to computers in order to record the screen moves of the students, and a lapel microphone, which was carried by the researcher in order to record student-researcher dialogues. Also, Excel files and worksheets of the students have been collected. All the data that has been collected during teaching experiment and clinical interviews examined with the context of analysis using the qualitative research methods. In this study which the students took part in a technology-based environment for the first time, it was revealed that the use of spreadsheet was easily adopted by the students and they could perform the mathematics activities using the spreadsheet. In the second phase, it was observed that by focusing on the subject of patterns and relations, the students included the formulas that they formed on the spreadsheet; initially as a tool for the generalization of the pattern and as a first step to algebraic expressions. In the third phase, it was concluded that they could state the given problem situations in an algebraic way via the help of spreadsheet easily and they could apply the solving strategies that they had used in the pattern problems in the solving of those problem situations. It was found out in the clinical interviews, the students could perceive the letters as a variable which they used in the algebraic expressions they wrote. Thus, in the process of the transition from arithmetic to algebra, the pattern generalization process was finished and the concept of variable was introduced by using spreadsheet language easily by students. It is seen that through the spreadsheet language the students gave meanings to the concept of the variable and their ideas on this concept evolved as aimed in the programme.