Hands on Data
Data can be defined as “a series of observations, measurements, or facts; information.” (Collins, 2004, p. 223). These series or collections of information can be represented in a variety ways including by words, numbers and images. There can be humungous scores of information on the one topic accumulated by a variety of people and there can be small amounts of information accumulated by a single person. Whether it is on the big end of the scale such as dictionaries and encyclopaedias, or the small end of the scale such as a personal address book, all of this information can be considered as data.
Two things which can help with the sorting and storing of information are spreadsheets and databases.
Rogers (2003) speaks about spreadsheets stating that “A spreadsheet contains rows and columns and is used to record and compare numerical data. Originally, spreadsheets only existed in paper format, but now they are most likely created and maintained through a software program.” To further on from this, a spreadsheet is an application which has the ability to sort, list and represent information. They can be used to store large quantities of data for a variety of purposes and carry out masses of calculations in short amounts of time.
Databases are places where data, or information, can be stored and retrieved. “A database is a structured collection of records or data that is stored in a computer system. In order for a database to be truly functional, it must not only store large amounts of records well, but be accessed easily.” (techFAQ, 2008). A database is generally made up of two or more tables. The stored data is structured in a way in which all off the data in the different tables are linked together 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.
There are a variety of software programs which enable people to create and maintain spreadsheets. Any of these software programs would be helpful in teaching students how and why to use spreadsheets. Some spreadsheet focused software programs include: Microsoft Excel; Apple Numbers; OpenOffice.org; Lotus 1-2-3 and Google Docs.
The use of spreadsheets in schools falls directly into the Mathematics KLA. The strand which spreadsheets have most reference to is the Data strand. In Stage 1 students are asked to use simple graphics software to create graphs. In Stage 2 students are asked to create a table to organise collected data, using a computer program e.g. spreadsheets and also to use simple graphing software to enter data and create a graph. Stage 3 requires students to use a spreadsheet program to tabulate and graph collected data. Spreadsheets could also be used in other KLA’s where information is needed to be recorded and represented.
There are a number of database related software packages that can be installed on school operating systems. These enable the user to create a database of their own. Some of these software products include: Microsoft Access and Lotus SmartSuite’s Approach. Whilst these programs can be very useful, they can also be very time consuming when learning how to use them. Databases can also be utilised in the primary school context when the appropriate database is found on the internet or the school computer system and students are asked to search for specific information.
The use of databases in schools can fit into any of the KLA’s. Databases can be used when students are searching the internet for information. The teacher can direct the students to a database which may hold this information, or direct them to a database which will help them to find the information they are looking for. In relation to where databases are referred to in the syllabus, they like spreadsheets, fall into the Data strand of the Mathematics KLA. Only in stage 3 are they formally asked to work with databases, with Stage 3 students required to use a computer database to organise information collected from a survey.
The NSW Institute of Teachers (2006) also makes special mention to the need of incorporating ICT into the curriculum. They require teachers to include a “variety of teaching and learning activities (eg differentiated curriculum, collaborative learning, ICT, higher order thinking) that link to syllabus outcomes /objectives.” This link to ICT can include the use of spreadsheets and databases, therefore their place in the primary school context is highly recommended.
There has been an extensive amount of research undertaken which supports the use of spreadsheets in education. Ozgun-Koca & Asli (2000) state that “being able to manage spreadsheets has become one of the skills sought for anybody in this technologically enhanced millennium. Therefore, spreadsheets have become an important part of many different curriculums at different levels of education.” Abramovich and Nabors (1997) conducted a study focusing on the role spreadsheets can play in teaching algebra. They found that “using spreadsheets helped seventh grade algebra students develop problem-solving skills.” Molyneux-Hodgson et. al (1999) discuss the role spreadsheets can play in helping students increase their capabilities of shifting between a wide range of representations. The results of their study “suggest the possibility of enhancing students’ capability to shift between a wider range of representations using the modeling approach embedded in computer environments such as a spreadsheet.” Research conducted by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM, 2000) recommends that “students in grades 3-5 should also become familiar with technological tools such as dynamic geometry software and spreadsheets. They should learn to set up a simple spreadsheet and use it to pose and solve problems, examine data, and investigate patterns”
Ozgun-Koca & Asli (2000) also found that “Relationships among different types of representations such as tables, equations and graphs are more easily comprehendible when all representations are visible at once and linked to each other, i.e. when one makes a change in one representation, corresponding changes in other representations are offered by the program. Moreover, spreadsheets allow students to focus on the mathematical reasoning by freeing them from the burden of calculations and algebraic manipulations.”
The technical requirements of the spreadsheet software differ from program to program. Below is a list of the technical requirements and pricing of four different spreadsheet software programs.
For Microsoft Excel, you can either purchase a copy of Microsoft Excel or purchase Microsoft Office. Microsoft Office will include a number of applications such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Powerpoint. There are a number of different versions of Microsoft Office, relating to the year they were released, they are all similar to each other and any version would be useful in meeting the requirements for school use. The price of Microsoft Excel 07 by itself is $229. If the computer already has an older version of the software and merely needs updating then it is $109.95. Microsoft Office Home and Student 07 can be purchased for $149.95 which includes anumber of programs including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and Powerpoint. These products can be purchased from most IT retail stores as well as Microsoft online.
Apple Numbers is a software program which is designed for Mac’s. To use Apple numbers a version of iWork is needed. Similar to Microsoft Office, iWork contains Word and Presentation programs and the newest version of iWork available is iWork ’08. Apple numbers is only compatible with Mac OSX versions Tiger and Leopard. Schools can purchase iWork ’08 for $249 for up to 500 seats. The school site license also permits the installation of iWork ’08 on up to 50 additional faculty computers. The supplier of iWork ’08 is Apple.
OpenOffice.org is an open-source office software suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more. OpenOffice.org can be downloaded and used completely free and it works on all common computers. OpenOffice.org can also read and write files from other common office software packages.
Google Docs is a free, internet based spreadsheet, word processor and presentation application from Google. It can be downloaded from the Google website and saved to the desktop of the computer. As it is a web based program the computer using the application will need to have an internet connection.
Microsoft Access is apart of Microsoft Office and is compatible with both Windows and Mac OS X systems. As stated earlier Microsoft Office Home and Student 07 can be purchased for $149.95 which includes anumber of programs including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and Powerpoint.
Lotus SmartSuite’s Approach was released in 1999 however updated release packs have been released since. IBM offers the Lotus SmartSuite Software, License, subcription and technical support (12mths) for approximately $500. This is available from the IBM website.
Bibliography
· Abramovich, S. and Nabors, W. (1997). Spreadsheets as generators of new meanings in middle school algebra. “Computers in the Schools,” 13(1-2), 13-25. Retrieved September 28, 2008 from: http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-1/math.htm
· Collins (2004). Australian Compact Dictionary (6th ed.). Pymble, Australia: HarperCollins.
· Molyneux-Hodgson, S.; Rojano, T.; Sutherland, R.; and Ursini, S. (1999). Mathematical modeling: The interaction of culture and practice. “Educational Studies in Mathematics,” 39(1-3), 167-183. Retrieved September 28, 2008 from: http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-1/math.htm
· National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. (2000). “Principles and standards for school mathematics.” Reston, VA: Author.
· NSW Institute of Teachers (2006). Information for New Scheme Teachers. NSW Institute of Teachers.
· Ozgun-Koca., Asli, S. (2000). Using Spreadsheets in Mathematics Education. (ERIC Reproduction Services No. ED463951)
· Rogers, C. (2003). What is a spreadsheet? Retrieved September 29, 2008 from: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-spreadsheet.htm
· tech-FAQ (2008). What is a Database? Retrieved September 29, 2008 from the tech-FAQ website: http://www.tech-faq.com/database.shtml
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