March 23, 2009

Data Collection and Analysis

In today's lecture we discussed data collection and analysis. The definition of a data collection and analysis tools is that it is a form of learning whereby students use technology to gather and synthesize information.
We discussed the case about M&Ms. It is rumored that there are more brown M&M's then other colors so a 6th grade class decided to explore the claim. We talked about the different tools that could be used. Excel, SurveyMonkey, and Google Docs where all mentioned and demonstrated. I think that the information would best be presented to the class in Google Docs. That way students could learn to collaboratively do the assignment while also learning about the topic. A video was shown about Data presentation. It introduced the table view information presentation and the plot view information presentation. It also explained why the different ways benefit the children.
Other data collection tools that were mentioned in the lecture include: PollEverywhere.com, Google form and spreadsheet, SurveyMonkey, InspireData, and Whiteboard.