Spreadsheets: the diva skills!

DIVA stands for Direct Instructional Value Added.  Spreadsheet modeling enhances mathematical reasoning by automating the math of any phenomena that can be expressed quantitatively.  Students can be guided to build models on a spreadsheet and they will immediately recognize the value added of a software that can replicate calculations for them with simple and intuitive methods.   On top of this, they then will be able to accelerate their turnover of questions and answers and learn at deep levels.  There are a variety of psychological reasons for this, but the most important is engagement.  A spreadsheet enables a student to engage and organize data, and as they grow in fluency with SLM models, their data fluency grows as well!  This gives SLM student and teachers an advantage.  Ask any coach what is the best to grow skills?  PRACTICE!  SLM will boost student and teacher fluency with data ongoingly in practice.  Not only is it Direct Instructional Value Added, but spreadsheet modeling is increasing value over time as teachers develop new applications to leverage this calculation rate upgrade for learning!