Project Overview
In the Solve Problems with Data project, students develop fundamental skills needed to use technology in support of problem solving, data analysis, and communication. You guide student use of technology tools and resources to research complex issues, solve important problems, and communicate solutions to a variety of local and global audiences. You also help students develop an enduring understanding of the similarities among skills that help them think critically, analyze data effectively, collaborate with peers, and communicate with others. As students become more skilled, they may begin to use data to solve challenging problems and communicate their solutions more effectively in all aspects of their lives.
Project Questions
- How can critical thinking skills help students define and solve problems?
- Why should students store data in ways that make it accessible to others?
- How can students use data to make convincing arguments for their solutions?
- What skills do students need to work in teams to achieve common goals?
Problem Solving >
How can you help your students overcome obstacles and tackle tough problems? In this module, you promote fundamental thinking skills that can help students solve problems with more confidence throughout their lives. You help students to understand that critical thinkers are effective problem solvers because they define problems precisely, consider problems from multiple points of view, and gather accurate and reliable information from a variety of credible sources. In this module, students choose and research controversial issues, define important problems arising from the issues, and explore alternative approaches to solving the problems.
Data Management >
Do your students know how to collect and manage data to help them solve problems? In this module, you help students learn how to construct survey questionnaires and collect opinion data on controversial issues. You guide students as they collect data that may be useful both to them and other researchers and problem solvers. You then show students how to create a database so that others can quickly retrieve the specific information they need. Students work through the process of planning databases to store and manage their survey data. They also learn how to create tables to store their data, forms to enter their data into the tables, queries to retrieve the data, and reports to share the data with their peers.
Persuasive Communication >
Can your students explain complex issues and make convincing arguments for solutions to important problems? In this module, you help students explore how analyzing data with statistics and visualizing data with charts and graphs can help them solve problems and explain their solutions to others. Make sure students know how to export data from a database, import data into a spreadsheet, summarize data with formulas and functions, and create charts and graphs to visualize data. You guide students as they learn how to use the persuasive strategies to appeal to the feelings, beliefs, and thoughts of an audience. Finally, students use technology tools, multimedia, and graphic design principles to create persuasive publications and presentations.
Persuasive Web Site >
Are your students capable and comfortable when working in teams to achieve common goals? In this module, you help students develop effective communication and collaboration skills by working in teams to plan, produce, and publish Web sites that communicate solutions to a global audience. You help students understand that effective Web sites are works of art, literature, science, and technology. In addition, you explain how effective Web sites are usually created by teams of people who have different talents and interests. With your guidance, students create Web pages and add links, images, audio, and video to help make their Web sites entertaining and persuasive.