Hands on Data
This week we looked at data, focussing on spread sheets and databases. First of all I will define the two, based on the information I gathered in the workshop.
Spreadsheets:
A spreadsheet is an application which can be used to sort, list and represent information. They can be used to carry out lots of calculations in quick amounts of time and store large amounts of information for a variety of purposes.
There are a number of different programs which can be used to create spreadsheets including: Microsoft Excel; Numbers; Corell Quattro Pro; Google Docs and Lotus 1-2-3.
There are a number of ways in which spreadsheets can be used in the classroom. Ideas include entering simple data into a spreadsheet to create mathematics learning activities, creating timelines and designing graphs and probability charts. Other activities which can involve the use of spreadsheets include getting students to use a spreadsheet to solve a story problem; investigate fast food restaurants and plan a healthy meal.
Databases:
A database is a location where information is stored and retrieved and are generally composed of two or more tables.
The data is organised in a way in which all of the data in the different tables are linked to one another by a primary key. A primary key is a field in each of the tables that is common to all of them. The primary key is used to look up or trace data in each of the tables.
Databases have two main uses:
- Storing information
and
- Sorting Information
There is all sorts of information which can be stored in databases. An example of some of the things which could be stored include: personal information; telephone numbers; business clients; names and addresses of people and parents contact information for children in school.
We presented the information in our spreadsheet as a graph and it was important to choose the right graph because it had to represent the data appropriately. One of the most important things I gained from this presentation is good teaching practice. The presenters used powerpoint, they had created a website and they also provided a hand out. Not only did these resources guide my learning but my learning was also facilitated by there modelling and scaffolding. Every step of our task was modelled so that we were not overwhelmed by the amount of information that was required in our databases and spreadsheets. I will definately use the skills I learned from this presentation in my classroom.
