The Algebra Teacher Powers to B.I.

If there is anything constant in the world at this time, it is that you will get an update to your Power BI desktop once a month.  If you are running low on time and want a quick video summary of June’s updates, then you are in the right spot. This video covers all the new updates, but one of my favorite features is being able to add the visual data points to a line chart.   Yeah, I know that might not be the most exciting thing, but coming from a math background and teaching my kids how to graph line charts -- I missed the absence of the dots.  I mean really, how else could we make a line chart before computers without the dots? I hope you enjoy it.

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...

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...

Data, especially in the time of quarantine, can make you look REALLY good on paper. Or, on the screen I should say-- or in this case in a table. And if I am being honest- putting all my cards on the table (you're welcome for that pun)- I've definitely tried to use data in building a defense when my wife has called me out on something. Unfortunately for me, she knows how a cherry-picked data table can tell many different stories. Nevertheless, I persist! In this post I discuss: *DAX function CALENDARAUTO *why I broke-up with function CALENDAR *link to a demo I create *how I attempt to use a Date Table to make myself look better to my wife 😁 I’ve really loved learning about DAX functions lately during my deep dive into the world of Power BI.   As you know I have a math teaching background so it is fascinating to see how I can manipulate simple calculations to use time intelligence, override specific filters, and cross reference other tables.   One of the...