Data – Patterns & Play

L1: Computational Thinking & Data

Collecting, managing and analysing data

data collection: properties, sources and collection of data: numerical, categorical and textual facts measured, collected or calculated

numeric – quantitative; continuous eg money, measurements; discrete – can only be counted in whole numbers eg 2 kittens

categorical – qualitative; nominal -can’t be ordered eg eye colour; ordinal – deck of cards, something that can be ranked or graded.

databases – collect and store data, eg library catalogue, spreadsheets

 

L2: Representations of Data

data representation: symbolism and separation

difference between raw data and sorted into context to become useful information – from Cool Infographics http://www.coolinfographics.com/blog/2012/9/11/what-is-an-infographic-explained-with-legos.html

 

many different ways to represent data, depends on the audience and the purpose, may be digital or not, numerical, text, pictorial

3: Pattern Recognition

data interpretation: patterns and contexts

finding similarities – allows creation of shortcuts within problem solving

medical imaging, fingerprinting

collect, identify and explore patterns in data

what kinds of representations are most useful? what new questions are provoked by seeing the data arranged in a new way?

4: Example Activity – Family Members

activity where students create visual representations of their families

sample for the activity – from CSER MOOC https://csermoocs.appspot.com/f6foundations/unit?unit=3&lesson=25

5: Example Activity – Measuring Height

collect data, represent the data (eg string, numbers, paddlepop sticks) then organise and display as charts, tables, stand in height order…

6: Task 2: Patterns & Play