The Algebra Teacher Powers to B.I.

If I knew then what I know now is a timeless adage that is most certainly universal. It is one that keeps popping up in my head the more and more I learn about Power BI's capabilities. I can't help but think back to my 15+ years of teaching as my context.  I have two main goals for this week’s blog and demo.   Goal #1 is to show you how I created a report using Power BI with fairly minimal effort. Goal #2 is to walk you through the process of publishing to the service. I wish I knew the basics of Power BI when I was in the teaching profession.   I spent countless hours analyzing my student’s data.   Sure, the district supplied us with some data analysis programs, but those only related to the mandated state and county tests forced upon the students.   I wanted to analyze my students’ performance on my assignments and assessments.   So the long process would begin  downloading the grade book files from our school program into Excel, and then I would...

Power BI is listening.  Not in a creepy way. But in a comforting, "I hear you and am willing to change" way.  Sounds like the perfect significant other, doesn't it!?! Each month Power BI updates its program based on users' comments and input. While this is a phenomenal trait, it does mean that things are changing frequently.  No worries, though. Here's a quick rundown on the latest updates.  APRIL's UPDATE |  Just Watch This MAY'S UPDATE  |  And Then Watch This

DEMO BELOW The power of "what if" has been debated, discussed, deployed, and dreamed about for centuries. It's woven into the fabric of human nature and technology is a product of its power.  Does the IF function have a lot of power in Power BI? Sure .  But where does the power of IF have more power than in the house or in the classroom.  Mr. Peterson, IF I do the extra credit this weekend how much will my grade go up? Mr. Peterson, IF I don’t have any more missing homework assignments for the rest of the quarter will my grade improve? Mr. Peterson, IF we learn all this Algebra you are teaching how will it help me in the real world? "Dad, IF I don’t miss any more chores this week can I pick where we go out to eat tonight” My response, "IF you don’t miss any more chores, THEN you get to pick where we eat Saturday, ELSE mom and I get to pick where we eat." You see IF statements not only get the brain exploring endless possibilities, but they generate a logi...

Time for an update on my journey. We last left off in March with the following words: “I am still nowhere near mastering this program.  As an educator I know that repetition, studying, taking detailed notes, and not being afraid to ask for help is what turns a student into being a success. I plan on doing all of those things on my journey to learning Power BI and the other programs I will be tasked with teaching. I wanted to share my process of transitioning from an Algebra teacher to a trainer with you in hopes that if there is anyone else out there who is apprehensive about the new technology you are learning for your job or you are considering making a change in your career,  or if you are just feeling overwhelmed with whatever the task may be - you can stop by from time to time for some motivation and quick tips." March has turned into May and I have taken myriad courses covering Power BI.  Did I  retain every single detail and master the program? No, of course n...

Up-Up-Down-Down-Left-Right-Left-Right-B-A Up-Up-Down-Down-Left-Right-Left-Right-B-A This was a series of commands, a holy "code" that I whispered to myself over and over again on the walk home from school until it was etched in my 6th-grade brain.  Earlier that day was the first time "the code" was mentioned-- whispered about at the lunch table because my buddy Rick's older brother told him it was "technically a cheat code" and we could all go to jail or worse if we told people we knew.  It was dangerous. It was alluring. And I was eleven walking home to beat Contra for the first time. Twenty-five plus years later and cheat-codes still seem a bit enticing.