Linear Regression Gizmo

ExploreLearning user and teacher Bill Grezner offers a great suggestion for using the Linear Regression Gizmo (AKA Least Squares Fit Line Gizmo) with students.

Bill writes,

Here is a spreadsheet in Excel (Download the .xls file) that I will use along with the gizmo to teach the lesson. The plan would be to introduce the idea of linear regression using the gizmo.

Then to follow up with the savings problem. I will give the students a handout of sheet 2 from the spreadsheet and have them estimate a line of best fit using a ruler. Then using this line predict the savings after 30 months.

Then I will have the students work with sheet 1 of the spreadsheet at a PC. Here they will use the equation of the line of best fit to predict the savings after 30 months. I would have them change a few points to see how it would effect their results. The spreadsheet will calculate the new linear regression equation and redraw the graph.

Possible discussion would be comparing the two predictions and discussing why they differ (probably just slightly). How do we interpret the value of the coefficient of correlation.

From there I would give the students another similar problem to develop. The spreadsheet can be used by the teacher to generate many similar but different scenarios.

What a great idea, Bill. Thanks for sharing.

We at EL are continually amazed at the ways those of you on the front lines of teaching are finding ways to take the Gizmos to another level.