Author: adallo

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E-Learning for Kids: Graphing and Interpreting Data

Subject: Digital Technologies

Year Bands: F-2, 3-4

Strand: Digital Technologies Processes and Production Skills

Sub-strand: Collecting, managing and analysing data

Content Descriptors:
F-2: Collect, explore and sort data, and use digital systems to present the data creatively (ACTDIP003)
3-4: Collect, access and present different types of data using simple software to create information and solve problems (ACTDIP009)

Link to resources: http://www.e-learningforkids.org/search/?q=graph

General capabilities: Numeracy, Literacy, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Critical and Creative Thinking.

Links to other areas: Mathematics – Statistics and Probability – Data representation and interpretation
Year 1: Represent data with objects and drawings where one object or drawing represents one data value. Describe the displays (ACMSP263)
Year 2: Collect, check and classify data (ACMSP049)
Create displays of data using lists, table and picture graphs and interpret them (ACMSP050)
Year 3: Collect data, organise into categories and create displays using lists, tables, picture graphs and simple column graphs, with and without the use of digital technologies (ACMSP069)
Interpret and compare data displays (ACMSP070)
Year 4: Construct suitable data displays, with and without the use of digital technologies, from given or collected data. Include tables, column graphs and picture graphs where one picture can represent many data values (ACMSP096)

How to use this resource: The link above leads directly to a search results page with all the graphing activities. This was found by loading the e-learning for kids (2015) homepage (http://www.e-learningforkids.org/) and selecting “Math” from the subject bar at the top of the webpage (first topic, far left). This bar also provides links to a large variety of resources for Science, Environmental Skills, Computer Skills, Health, Language Arts and Life Skills. Within each subject, you can select to view all resources or search by grade (note: grades are based on the International Baccalaureate curriculum). On the right of this is a search box, e.g. searching “graph” for related activities.

To assist with selecting lessons appropriate to student needs, users can click on the red “START LESSON” box, which will load the main screen from which the different lesson components can be selected; the majority of the linked mathematics lessons have an introduction video and approximately four activities. In the top right hand corner of the border there is a person icon (Teacher Guide) to the left of a question mark (Help). Selecting ‘Teacher Guide’ will load a summary of learning goals for the lesson’s activities.

Activity questions are provided in written and oral form and can be repeated by clicking on the student icon on the left of the screen. Similarly, the bird icon on the right can be selected for help, assisting students to work at their own pace. There is also the option for students to enter their name and print a certificate once all activities in the lesson have been mastered.

A classroom activity using this resource: As a class, students could watch an introduction video, with the teacher pausing where required for questions and/or discussion, before working together to complete the first question from each activity. Following this, students could continue working on the lesson demonstrated. Alternatively, teachers could select different lessons to differentiate for maths groups; lessons do however feature different forms of data representation, for example tally marks and column graphs.

Reference List:
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA]. (2015a). Digital technologies. Retrieved from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/technologies/digital-technologies/curriculum/f-10?layout=1
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA]. (2015b). Mathematics. Retrieved from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/mathematics/curriculum/f-10?layout=1
E-learning for kids. (2015). Search results: Graph. Retrieved from http://www.e-learningforkids.org/search/?q=graph

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BBC: Characteristics of Materials

Subject: Design and Technologies

Year Band: 3-4

Strand: Design and Technologies Knowledge and Understanding

Sub Strand: Technologies contexts – Materials and technologies specialisations

Content Descriptor: Investigate the suitability of materials, systems, components, tools and equipment for a range of purposes (ACTDEK013)

Link to resource: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/7_8/characteristics_materials.shtml

Cross curriculum priorities: Sustainability

General capabilities: Numeracy, Literacy, Critical and Creative Thinking, Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Links to other areas: Science – Science Understanding – Chemical Sciences – Year 4: Natural and processed materials have a range of physical properties; These properties can influence their use (ACSSU074)

About this resource: The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) interactive activity Characteristics of Materials (2014) allows users to test six (animated) materials (metal, paper, fabric, rubber, glass and plastic) to find out if they are waterproof, flexible, transparent and strong. Following this, users visit the Workshop where they examine the blueprints for six objects: a car tyre, saucepan, towel, notebook, sports bottle and a window. For each object, students are given the choice of four materials from the six examined previously to make their item out of. They must consider the properties of each material and select the one that is the most appropriate for the purpose of the object.

How to use this resource: Once loaded, the activity opens up in the ‘Testing room’. Instructions are written across the top for the user to work through at their own pace; the orange speaker on the left can be pressed to hear the instructions read out. Students drag and drop the materials, located in the middle of the bottom purple band, into the testing machine; these can be scrolled through using the red arrows on either side of the image. Material properties can be tested by clicking on the four question boxes to see the animation. Selecting the magnifying glass will load a summary of each material, including answering the four property questions. Additional help can be gained from the orange Help button located in the bottom left of the screen.

Clicking the green ‘Workshop’ button on the right of the material box will take you to the blueprint testing area. Blueprints can be scrolled and selected similarly to the materials in the ‘Testing room’ and object materials chosen by clicking on one of the four boxes. An image of the object made from that material will then appear, along with an explanation as to why the material choice would or would not be appropriate; these can also be heard by pressing on the orange speaker button in the top left corner of the box.

This activity allows the user to switch between ‘rooms’ at their own pace and it does not need to be completed sequentially, allowing for easy access to revisit any areas or demonstrate use of it in the classroom.

A classroom activity using this resource: Students could explore this activity as a class, in small groups or independently, making predictions based on their prior knowledge before testing the different material properties. A simple grid could benefit students to record the test results, assisting them when later testing the blueprint materials; instant feedback is however provided for this. Following this activity, students could apply their knowledge of different materials to design objects for specific purposes.

Additional resources: http://interactivesites.weebly.com/matter-chemical–physical.html
Interactive Sites for Education (Ogen, 2013) is a website which has categorised links to a range of interactive activities from different websites for various learning areas. The URL above provides links to a variety of related interactive activities for different year groups, including identifying materials and changes in states.

Reference List:
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA]. (2015a). Design and technologies. Retrieved from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/technologies/design-and-technologies/curriculum/f-10?layout=1
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA]. (2015b). Science. Retrieved from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/science/curriculum/f-10?layout=1
British Broadcasting Corporation [BBC]. (2014). Schools science clip: Characteristics of materials. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/7_8/characteristics_materials.shtml
Ogen, K. (2013). Interactive sites for education: Matter chemical and physical changes. Retrieved from http://interactivesites.weebly.com/matter-chemical–physical.html