Students in Grade 1 have begun their data unit in math. They have learned how to collect information through surveys and explored how to show the data using real life objects (i.e. shoes for a shoe graph) and also representative objects (i.e. yellow snap cubes for vanilla ice cream). So, for tech class, students were faced with a challenge, "How can you show your data digitally?"
During the chalk and talk students brainstormed apps that would be a good tool for the job. Pic Kids, Doodlecast Pro, and Drawing Pad are usually the first apps mentioned but after a few minutes students begin to 'see' through a wider lens and start suggesting apps such as Tiny Tap, Stop Motion, and iMovie. As a group, we discuss apps like iMovie and try to tease out how we could make a graph in it. Other students are quick to note that iMovie would not a good tool for creating a digital graph.
Students are then set off to 'test' out the app of their choice and see if they can make a graph with given data. It is wonderful to see that all students are able to make a graph with the app of their choice.
Here is the lesson and some student generated samples on the last two slides.
