Data collection - Introducing the concept of collecting data to answer a question.

In the previous lesson, the coursework topic was introduced and students were introduced to the idea of planning a route to enquiry. With the new controlled assessment model, it is important that students have a very clear understanding of what they are studying, what data they need to collect and why.

The suggested lesson plan below therefore focsues on data and how students could collect it.

Starter - Pair matching activity on the Smartboard / Cleverboard, based on data and how it is to be collected in the field.

For this starter activity, I have included 2 files, a Smartboard file and a Cleverboard2 file. These can be editied to met the needs of your students but as a starter activity, they are designed to encourage discussion with the students over what data we could collect.

[If you do not have a Smartboard, the viewer for the file can be downloaded here.]

Main - It is important to understand the need for collecting data and when we do so, and to make sure that methods of data collection are fair, repeatable and reliable.

At this stage I ask the students to look back at their work from the last lesson, and to suggest what data they could collect. This is then mind mapped on the whiteboard.

I then show the students the Data Collection presentation which highlights the different aspects of collecting data, and what they have to consider.

After watching and listening to the presentation, students will be asked to make a mind map** of the different types of data they need to collect based on the slides in the powerpoint.

** There are several free mind-mapping tools on the internet. Type 'free mind mapping software' into Google or investigate bubbl.us, the one I've used with regular success.

Plenary - I bring some of the students up to the whiteboard and load Google Earth. I then get the students to zoom into different areas of the study site, and they suggest what data could be collected and why the area is suitable.