Sequência didática para a cinemática com uso de planilhas eletrônicas Excel®

Abstract

This work presents a proposal for a didactic sequence for the kinematics theme, based on the use of Excel® software spreadsheets. In our case, Excel® is a facilitating tool for the mathematical and graphic manipulation of the “vector” concept widely used in Kinematics. Although there is another option for electronic spreadsheets in LibreOffice's Calc, which is free software, the graphic representation of an arrow is still only possible in Excel®. To develop a didactic sequence on the kinematics theme, several electronic spreadsheets were built exploring subjects such as: addition of vectors, position vector, velocity vector and acceleration vector, uniformly varied motion. These worksheets constitute a product that was tested in the classroom, in the 1st Year of High School class, using Jerome S. Bruner's learning theory. There were 12 meetings in a total of 16 classes, where students had the opportunity to perform simulations with the Excel® spreadsheet and the “rotation button” tool. Using the concepts of discovery learning, spiral curriculum, iconic and symbolic representation of Bruner's theory, the meetings were divided into two moments, the first with the purpose of creating motivation and the second using the spreadsheet with the simulations. During the development of the meetings, the students, in possession of scripts, carried out the activities alone, with some interventions by the teacher, performing the simulations and through the observations they answered the questions and the proposed activities. It was observed that, when using the educational product, there was a greater interest of the students during the accomplishment of the activities and even that it contributed to their learning and an important tool for the study of vectors.