The Simultaneous Use of Excel and GeoGebra to Training the Basics of Mathematical Modeling
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Date
2019-06-12
Authors
Flehantov, L. O.
Ovsiienko, Y.
Флегантов, Леонід Олексійович
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Abstract
Description
The main objective of this study is testing the hypothesis that the
visualization of simulation results creates the conditions for improving students’
knowledge, taking into account the specifics of their professional training. In this
article we are exploring how the simultaneous use of Excel and GeoGebra can
improve the learning outcomes of engineering students in agricultural
universities when learning the basics of mathematical modeling (using as
example the mathematical model of mechanical movement of two bodies with
their elastic collision). We worked with our students as follows. First, we build
and interpret the mathematical model. Then we obtain two alternative computer
models: we use Excel spreadsheets for numerical modeling as well as GeoGebra
software for analytical-geometrical modeling. By this models we visualize and
explore the processes closely related to topics that plays an important role in the
training of agricultural production engineers, in particular, with study the
movement and interaction of particles during the loading / unloading of seeds,
the description of industrial processes of seed scarification, with study of the
movement of particles of yeast suspension in a plate separators, modeling the
processes of shot-blast cleaning of metal surfaces etc. We have tested this
approach in teaching the 163 students enrolled in the specialties
“Agroengineering” and “Industry Engineering” in Poltava State Agrarian
Academy. According to data we collected our students demonstrated a better
understanding of the conceptual issues of mathematical modeling and acquired
significant abilities in using this method to solve real problems.
Keywords
Basics of mathematical modeling, computer simulation of mechanical movement, software used in learning of modeling, computer simulation and visualization, simultaneous use Excel and GeoGebra