7.3. Visualizing Data

This lesson introduces students to data manipulation and visualization using Google spreadsheets and Google My Maps. Students will follow tutorials to learn how to import data and create visualizations of it. These tools will be used in the next lesson where students explore a data set of their own choosing.

CSP Framework
Big Idea 2: Data (DAT)
Enduring Understanding DAT-2: Programs can be used to process data, which allows users to discover information and create new knowledge.
Learning Objective DAT-2.A: Describe what information can be extracted from data.
Skill 5.B DAT-2.A.3 Essential Knowledge DAT-2.A.3: Digitally processed data may show correlation between variables. A correlation found in data does not necessarily indicate that a causal relationship exists. Additional research is needed to understand the exact nature of the relationship.
Learning Objective DAT-2.B: Describe what information can be extracted from metadata.
Skill 5.B DAT-2.B.2 Essential Knowledge DAT-2.B.2: Changes and deletions made to metadata do not change the primary data.
Learning Objective DAT-2.D: Extract information from data using a program.
Skill 2.B DAT-2.D.4 DAT-2.D.6 Essential Knowledge DAT-2.D.4: Data filtering systems are important tools for finding information and recognizing patterns in data. Essential Knowledge DAT-2.D.6: Some processes that can be used to extract or modify information from data include the following: transforming every element of a data set, such as doubling every element in a list, or extracting the parent's email from every student record, filtering a data set, such as keeping only the positive numbers from a list, or keeping only students who signed up for band from a record of all the student, combining or comparing data in some way, such as adding up a list of numbers, or finding the student who has the highest GPA , and visualizing a data set through a chart, graph, or other visual representation.
Learning Objective DAT-2.E: Explain how programs can be used to gain insight and knowledge from data.
Skill 5.B DAT-2.E.1 DAT-2.E.2 Essential Knowledge DAT-2.E.1: Programs are used in an iterative and interactive way when processing information to allow users to gain insight and knowledge about data. Essential Knowledge DAT-2.E.2: Programmers can use programs to filter and clean digital data, thereby gaining insight and knowledge.

Professional Development

The Student Lesson: Complete the activities for Mobile CSP Unit 7: Lesson 7.3 Visualizing Data.

Materials

• Computer lab
• Access to Google Drive and Google Maps

7.3.1. Learning Activities

Estimated Length: 45 minutes

• Hook/Motivation (5 minutes): Using the animated gif image from census.gov or another data visualization of your own choice, put the graphic of the data on the projector and ask the students these questions about it:
  • What is the data shown in this visualization?
  • What type of data is used — text, numbers, geocodes, date and time, etc.?
  • What conclusions can you draw from the data?
  • How is the data presented in the visualization that makes it easy to understand and use?
  • What are the drawbacks of this visualization?
  Explanation: There is an information explosion going on (recall Blown to Bits Chapter 1) and large sets of information are becoming more accessible to the public (recall Big Data). Computers provide powerful tools to process all of this information. It's important in the 21st century to be conversant with these tools and to be able to use them to gain knowledge and insight. Google spreadsheets and Google Maps can help to manipulate and visualize large data sets. The way in which data is manipulated can influence interpretation. For example, a graph of test scores can help individuals make conclusions quicker and more easily than a table with test scores. This is because a graph allows individuals to visually notice trends in the data.
• Experiences and Explorations (30 minutes):
  • Activity Intro: Explain the instructions for today's class. Students will follow the student tutorials to answer the questions working in pairs.
  • Activity 1: May be done as a class or in pairs
  • Activity 2: Have the students follow to create formulas and charts with the given data set on butterflies using Google Sheets.
  • Activity 3: Have students create a map of the data using Google My Maps following the tutorial. Here's a possible solution
• Rethink, Reflect and/or Revise (10 minutes): Have students complete their reflection in their portfolios.

AP Classroom

The College Board's AP Classroom provides a question bank and Topic Questions. You may create a formative assessment quiz in AP Classroom, assign the quiz (a set of questions), and then review the results in class to identify and address any student misunderstandings. The following are suggested topic questions that you could assign once students have completed this lesson.

Suggested Topic Questions:

• Topic 2.4 Using Programs with Data

Assessment Opportunities

Solutions:

• Note: Solutions are only available to verified educators who have joined the Teaching Mobile CSP Google group/forum in Unit 1.
• Quizly Solutions
• Portfolio Reflection Questions Solutions

Assessment Opportunities

You can examine students’ work on the interactive exercise and their reflection portfolio entries to assess their progress on the following learning objectives. If students are able to do what is listed there, they are ready to move on to the next lesson.

• Interactive Exercises:
• Portfolio Reflections:
  LO X.X.X - Students should be able to ...
• In the XXX App, look for:

Differentiation: More Practice

If students are struggling with lesson concepts, have them review the following resources:

• Google Sheets Tutorial, especially on Functions
• Google My Maps Help Center

Differentiation: Enrichment

Students can explore the data sets and create additional visualizations. Here is a Google My Maps Tutorials using shark spotting data. In Unit 9, there is also an optional app using Google Fusion Tables.

(Optional) Voter Registration lesson from the Civic Knowledge and Action Project in collaboration with the College Board. This optional lesson plan develops students' understanding of how to use programs to process voter registration and turnout data to discover information and create new knowledge. The materials map to skills 2.B and 5.B in the AP Computer Science Principles Course and Exam Description.

Background Knowledge

• Google Sheets Tutorial, especially on Functions
• Different charts in Google Sheets
• Tutorial on comparing charts
• Google Sheets Functions list
• Google My Maps Help Center
• Google My Maps Tutorials using shark spotting data

7.3.2. Professional Development Reflection

Discuss the following questions with other teachers in your professional development program.

I am confident I can teach this lesson to my students.
• 1. Strongly Agree
• 2. Agree
• 3. Neutral
• 4. Disagree
• 5. Strongly Disagree