Developing Mathematics Creativity with Spreadsheets

The spreadsheet Microsoft Excel is the most widely used mathematical tool in today's workplace. Moreover, it is also an outstanding means for developing a surprisingly wide range of creative and innovative educational uses within such areas as mathematical modeling, visualization, and instruction. The spreadsheet's format provides us with a tool that closely parallels the way in which we naturally carry out problem solving, while the spreadsheet creation process itself illuminates the underlying mathematical concepts. In addition, the spreadsheet's visual layout allows us to introduce a broad variety of challenging and interesting topics, and to design creative demonstrations through eye-catching animated graphics. The material presented comes from actual classroom mathematics teaching experience in both industrially advanced and developing nations. A series of highly visual interactive illustrations from mathematics, the natural and social sciences, computing, engineering, and the arts provide a number of usable examples. The material discussed is applicable at diverse levels, ranging from schools and universities through adult education and in-service teacher development programs.