Basic Productivity Tools (BPT)

Lesson Idea Name: Student Samples using Excel by James Doane

Content Area: Math
Grade Level(s): 7th Grade
Content Standard Addressed:
MGSE7.SP.2 Use data from a random sample to draw inferences about a population with an unknown
characteristic of interest. Generate multiple samples (or simulated samples) of the same size to gauge the
variation in estimates or predictions
Technology Standard Addressed:
Empowered Learner, Innovative Designer, Creative Communicator
Selected Technology Tool:
Microsoft Excel
URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable):

Bloom’s Taxonomy Level(s):

☐ Remembering ☐ Understanding ☐ Applying ☒ Analyzing ☒ Evaluating ☐ Creating

Levels of Technology Integration (LoTi Level):

☐ Level 1: Awareness ☐ Level 2: Exploration ☒ Level 3: Infusion ☒ Level 4: Integration
☐ Level 5: Expansion ☐ Level 6: Refinement

Universal Design for Learning (UDL):

Students will be primarily applying their learning, which is the third principle of UDL (Action and Expression).
The students will be able to use Excel in a variety of ways to show their learning. The good thing about a basic
productivity tool is that it is very adaptable. Students will have multiple means of expression all on Excel. The
project also provides for multiple means of engagement, as students will be able to create their own survey
questions. Choice is a big part of engaging students, and the versatility of Excel combined with an endless
amount of possible survey questions is sure to promote engagement. Students will also be asked to survey
one another, which fosters community. Students will enjoy talking to one another as they ask the survey
questions.
Lesson idea implementation
The project will be covering the 7th grade standards of Unit 5, which is about statistics and sampling. The
students will be asked to use first create a question with multiple answers to sample the class. Then, the
students will use Excel’s graphing capabilities to graph the results. Using Excel’s function capabilities, students
will predict the results of the survey if a larger sample size had been used. The Excel sheet should allow
students to change the results of the survey, with the graphs and scaled up result changing accordingly. This
will be given to seventh graders, so the project will probably take about two class periods. Students will be
assessed based on their completed Excel files.
For an extension question, students will be asked to discuss the partiality of their survey questions. The
students will be asked to critique their own questions and decide if they are impartial or truly random
samples. Students will be expected to discuss how they chose the wording of the survey and how they chose
who to survey. For feedback, I would grade based on a rubric with short answer feedback questions to be
filled out by myself.

Reflective Practice:
Students will simultaneously learn the 7th grade standards on sampling, while learning valuable tools in Excel.
This project will be administered after students have at least been introduced to the topic. To extend the
lesson, the students will be asked to critique their own questions and decide if they are impartial or truly
Spring 2018_SJB
 Basic Productivity Tools (BPT)
random samples. Students will be expected to discuss how they chose the wording of the survey and how
they chose who to survey. For feedback, I would grade based on a rubric with short answer feedback
questions to be filled out by myself.

Spring 2018_SJB