Handling.

Lesson Plan: Data Handling and Interpretation

Subject: Mathematics

Topic: Information Handling

Level: Third Level

Desired Outcome: I can work collaboratively, making appropriate use of technology, to source information presented in a range of ways, interpret what it conveys and discuss whether I believe the information to be robust, vague or misleading.

Focus: Data Handling

Resources:

• Laptops or tablets with internet access
• Data sets from reliable sources (e.g. government statistics, scientific studies, news articles)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Worksheets for individual work

Introduction (10 minutes):

• Begin by asking students what they know about data handling and interpretation. Write their responses on the whiteboard.
• Explain that in this lesson, they will be learning how to work collaboratively to source information, interpret it, and discuss whether it is reliable or not.
• Introduce the desired outcome and explain that they will be using technology to help them achieve it.

Activity 1: Sourcing Information (20 minutes):

• Divide the class into groups of 3-4 students.
• Provide each group with a laptop or tablet and a data set from a reliable source.
• Instruct the groups to use the data set to answer a set of questions related to the topic of the data set.
• Encourage the groups to use the internet to find additional information that may help them answer the questions.
• Circulate around the room to provide support and guidance as needed.

Activity 2: Interpreting Data (20 minutes):

• Once the groups have completed their research, bring the class back together.
• Ask each group to present their findings to the class, using the whiteboard to display their data and any additional information they found.
• Encourage the class to ask questions and discuss the findings.
• Use this discussion to introduce the concept of interpreting data and how it can be used to draw conclusions.

Activity 3: Evaluating Data (20 minutes):

• Provide each student with a worksheet that contains a set of data and a set of questions related to the data.
• Instruct the students to work individually to answer the questions and evaluate the reliability of the data.
• Encourage the students to use the skills they learned in the previous activities to determine whether the data is robust, vague, or misleading.
• Circulate around the room to provide support and guidance as needed.

Conclusion (10 minutes):

• Bring the class back together and ask for volunteers to share their answers and evaluations.
• Use this discussion to reinforce the concept of evaluating data and the importance of using reliable sources.
• Summarize the key points of the lesson and remind the students of the desired outcome.
• Assign homework that requires the students to find and evaluate a data set on their own, using the skills they learned in class.