Data Tools for Critical Thinking

What is data?

Data comes in two basic forms: Numerical – numbers Textual – words

Data comes from many sources Let’s brainstorm a few…

First open a program called Inspiration

Now name some sources

Where do we get data?

Sources include: Existing statistical sites online▪ Real time data sites

Repositories of events like encyclopedias and books

Our own experiments Surveys and questionnaires All around us in all kinds of forms▪ Text▪ Visuals

Tools for Managing Data

What is difference between your memory and a computer when it comes to managing data?▪ How many e-mail contacts can you recall from your

address book?▪ If you read long speech, how long does it take you to

determine the key themes?▪ If you take notes from a lecture, how do you determine

the most important information?

Tools for numbers Spreadsheet programs like Microsoft Excel

Keep track of numerical data Allows you to sort or filter data Allows you create formulas to answer questions Allows you to display and communicate data visually

through charts and graphs Also has a way to grab real-time data (search Google for

“Real time data sites”) Online sites such as Many-Eyes, Google Earth or

Google Public Data let you visually represent numerical data in powerful ways

Tools for text

Inspiration and Kidspiration let you link text Draws out connections Visually shows the important data Add images to enhance understanding

Many-Eyes and Wordle are online tools to help express text data visually for analysis

Wikis are also a way to capture text data in the form of an encyclopedic form

Your Assignment

Develop a lesson/activity relevant to your discipline, topic, and grade level that involves data analysis using one of the tools.