Analyze This!

This week, we have used our Google account to create surveys about technology.  We wrote survey questions about our two inquiry points:

• The ways in which technology influences our lives, and
• Our school’s increasing dependence on technology

After collecting data from our classmates, we printed the results and analyzed our data.  We looked at pie charts, bar graphs and line graphs – The results from Google surveys are automatically presented in the form that highlights the aspect of data that you are looking at in the most efficient way.  For example, we looked at how pie charts are an efficient way to show percentages. 

The children decided that analyzing data thoroughly is a very important part of data collection.  As Sebastian stated, “Analyzing the data shows the most thinking because you have to reflect on what the data actually means.”

In order to answer our second inquiry point in more detail, we will continue this project next week by having other grades complete our surveys.  We are wondering how this will change our data. 

Home/School Connection:  Login to our Google account and show your family the data you collected.  Is your family surprised by the results?  Why or why not?  What are the advantages of using Google forms to create surveys?  What new questions do you have?