Web-based Practice
Method Discrepancies by NLVM
Course, Subject
Integrated Algebra II and Trigonometry, Math, Science & Technology
Grade Levels
Commencement, 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade
Virtual Manipulative
Click here for this interactive resource.
Description
For most of us, students included, the most common voting scheme is the Plurality method, where each voter casts one vote and the candidate with the largest total is the winner. Students may be aware that at the time of presidential elections in the United States, another voting scheme is in place. In the Electoral College, each state is given a certain number of votes. The candidate receiving the majority of votes cast in a state (Plurality method) gets that state's total electoral votes, and the winner of the presidential race is the person with the largest number of electoral votes.
Different voting procedures can result in very different outcomes, and a number of different schemes have been devised in hopes of finding a way to better reflect voters' preferences. This virtual manipulative allows students to explore the consequences of five of the voting schemes that have been proposed.
The setting is, we hope, neutral, with three choices of kinds of music, and the student can have 5, 7, or 9 voters. Each voter is to rank choices 1, 2, or 3 (and when any two are entered, the third is automatically filled in). Then Count Ballots give the results under each of the five ways of counting the ballots. The results are often counterintuitive and even surprising.
After experimenting with this virtual manipulative, students may want to get an appreciation for the consequences of different voting schemes in a larger sampling. Some students might conduct balloting in a classroom setting, with whatever set of choices they wish, choosing among several individuals for office, or a favorite candy or color, or whatever. To compare the results of voting schemes, there might be five different teams, each responsible for using one of the five voting schemes described in the Whammy Awards. Each team could then report the results of the balloting using their voting procedure, and the class could then profitably discuss differences.
Content Provider
The National Library of Virtual Manipulatives is a three-year NSF supported project to develop a library of uniquely interactive, web-based virtual manipulatives or concept tutorials, mostly in the form of Java applets, for mathematics instruction (K-8 emphasis). The project includes dissemination and extensive internal and external evaluation. For more information, please visit http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html.
Credits
Principal Investigators
Larry Cannon
Jim Dorward
Bob Heal
Leo Edwards
Java Applet Programming
Ethy Cannon
Joel Duffin
David Stowell
Zeke Susman
Richard Wellman
Jennifer Youngberg
Web Site Programming
Joel Duffin
