What is the financial benefit for attending a community college for the first two years before transferring to a four-year college? The second part of the educational lesson asks young scholars to explore this question through data analysis and linear modeling. By presenting the problem through a project-based learning model, learners develop a report outlining their work and conclusions.

Concepts

linear equations, linear functions, point-slope form, linear relationships, slope, rate of change, data analysis

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Additional Tags

math

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Instructional Ideas

• Provide the scaffolding resources to learners that need additional support
• Use an online calculator such as Desmos to create the graphical displays and complete the data analysis

Classroom Considerations

• Requires laptops with Excel software

Pros

• Technology worksheets provide specific examples and directions for those unfamiliar with Excel software
• Provides real data from every state

Cons

• The link from the lesson goes to data from 2007; a Google search for a more recent year produces options for updated data
• Does not discuss finding an appropriate model for the data; a linear fit is just assumed

Common Core

HSS-ID.B.6.a