One Step Further (ICT Integration)

ICT resources for maths teachers

Drawing graphs

As a mathematics educator you will not only want to include graphs in your worksheets, test or exams, but at some stage you will be prepared to use graphs as a teaching and learning tool. You will use the spreadsheet, Microsoft Excel, to draw and manipulate graphs.

If you have not used Microsoft Excel before, we recommend that you explore some simpler scenarios on how teachers use spreadsheets for other purposes.

By the end of this activity you could achieve the following outcomes:

- Draw graphs of mathematical expressions using a spreadsheet
- Prove mathematical concepts using spreadsheet graphs
- Create a list of ideas on how you can use graphs with learners

2 hours

Follow these steps to complete this activity. While practising with Microsoft Excel, look for contexts that are meaningful to you in your classroom and create documents that you can adapt and use at a later stage. We will make suggestions about what documents to create, but if you prefer, you may create documents to suit your own needs.

	Description	Resources
1	Work in pairs (30 min) Linear graphs As an introduction, we will draw a graph of a straight line. To draw a graph of a straight line we create a table of values of y at the different x values. We will draw the graph of y = 3x +7, Open the linear graphs workbook on the "linear graphs" worksheet. You will find a table of values with the first row of each column completed. Follow the instructions in the workbook and consult the resources if necessary.	» View the example workbook » How to use autofill » How to draw charts
2	Work in pairs (45 min) Challenge Using any quadratic equation y = ax2 + bx + c , show in graphical format the effect of changing: 1. a - the coefficient of x2, 2. c - the y intercept. Your solution should contain a comparison of at least three graphs for each case.	» View the quadratic graph workbook
3	Meet in larger groups or as a class (45 min) Discuss: "How can access to Microsoft Excel help you design a lesson for learners to generate the conclusions about the effect of changing the y intercept and the coefficient of x2 in any quadratic equation?" Create a list of ideas on how you can use graphs with learners.
4	Work on your own (between workshops) If you have the opportunity: experiment with graphs and mathematical expressions explore the use of charts with learners, as discussed during the workshop
5	Community of teachers Join the Partners in Learning Network and find a community of teachers online.	» Go to the Partners in Learning Network

Recommended next activity:

» Advanced graphs