Data Analysis Tasks

Data analysis tools typically take one of two different forms: collecting data (survey, interviews, questionnaires) or finding existing data (databases). Data collection tools don't need to be complicated to be effective. A great tool for collecting data is InspireData, a tool that is usually downloaded on school computers. I used it for an English project to compare the number of deaths during the plague in Europe across different locations. Data analysis tools allow students to develop their own conclusions from evidence and learn to back up the conclusions. They also allow students to learn where something comes from, as too often in classrooms the students are told the "rules" without knowing where they come from. Furthermore, it teaches students problem solving skills. A great example for English is recording the "arc" of the plot for each of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies. Another idea from Linguistics is to let the students know why grammar is the way it is (history, Latin, etc).


Other data analysis tools: tinkerplot, wordle.com, and Go!Motion