Data Collection Methods

• In this unit, a survey will be planned and conducted in school using digital devices to collect, store and analyze data, and presentation software will be used to share the survey results.

Data Collection with Devices

• Machines have been used to collect data for many years.
• Chart recorders are analogue devices used to record different values on paper, with a polygraph machine being a type of chart recorder.
• Polygraph machines record breathing, sweating, and blood pressure.
• Digital data loggers are replacing analogue chart recorders, with the flight data recorder (FDR) being the most famous type of data logger.
• FDRs are fitted in aircraft and record at least 88 different parameters during a flight.
• FDRs, often called 'black boxes', are painted orange to be easily found in case of an accident.

Data Logging with Your Own Device

• Many people use smartphones or tablets as data loggers.
• Smartphones have built-in sensors that record data, including:
• GPS sensor to sense device location
• Accelerometer and gyroscope to sense device position and movement
• Microphone to sense sound
• Camera and ambient light sensor to sense light
• Proximity sensor to sense nearby objects
• Magnetometer to sense phone direction

Planning a Survey

• The survey goal in this unit is to identify the busiest and noisiest areas of the school at different times and gather people's opinions on the space and noise.
• Survey goals should be written down in one to two sentences.
• Quantitative data is numerical and used to measure and compare (e.g., numbers of people and noise levels).
• Qualitative data is descriptive and describes how classmates feel about noise levels in school.
• Survey methods include questionnaires (for quantitative and qualitative data), interviews (for qualitative data), and measuring devices (for quantitative data).
• In the unit survey, digital measuring devices and interviews are used to collect data.

Choosing Technology for a Survey

• The technology used in the unit survey includes:
  • Smartphone counter app and stopwatch/timer app used for number of people moving around the school
  • Smartphone sound meter app used for level of noise
  • Smartphone voice recorder app for people thoughts on noise
• Sharp Pantone smartphones include a Geiger counter to sense background radiation.

Preparing and Carrying Out a Survey

• A team needs to be formed with agreed roles:
• Surveyor 1: Uses the counter app to count people
• Surveyor 2: Uses the sound meter app to record the sound level
• Timekeeper: Uses the stopwatch to ensure data collection starts and ends at the same time
• Interviewer: Uses recorded interviews to people answers

Survey Data Analysis

• Quantitative survey data includes the number of people and noise level.
• It is impoartant to collect data at the same sample time to compare results. for example, in the example in this unit, a sample time of one or two minutes would work.
• Qualitative data is the recorded answers to a survey question.
• Use a voice recorder app on a smartphone or tablet and ask permission before recording.
• Possible survey question: "How do you feel about the noise level in this location?"
• This is called an open question which helps people answer in their own opinions.

Analysing Survey Data

• Use the data table and charts to analyse data to help you answer questions.

• Spreadsheet answers should answer questions to:

• to when is the school busiest?

• to when is school at its noisiest?

• to if it is always more noisy when it is busy?

• Transcribe interview to answer questions to:

• Are people more happy or less happy when it is noisy and busy? What other feelings do people have about the noise levels?

Presentation Skills

• Title slides can be used to add text, for instance, 'Number of people and noise levels at different times in the school day.'
• Use the 'Layout' menu to change the layout of each slide, where some allow for content side by side, and others enable the inclusion of a captioned image.
• Images can be added using the 'Insert' menu and might include:
• A drawing produced in another program
• A photograph that you have saved
• You are also able to insert your own Clip Art as an image
• The theme can add patterns and change the border of the slides by using the 'Design' menu'.
• Transitions can be used on slides by going to the 'Transitions' menu; this can add interest and make the best slides.
• Add audio files from your PC when using 'Insert' menu by selecting 'Audio'. Then you can have control on the audio player.

Delivering the Presentation

• Practising your presentation alone or with a team makes you feel more confident.
• Stands to the side if using a screen so everyone can see.
• Talk clearly so that everyone in the room can hear you.
• To change slides press the left mouse button to change slides.
• Click on 'From Beginning'on the 'Slide Show'tab.
• Press the left arrow keyboard key to go back one slide if going too fast.
• Handouts can be made by going into Print/Settings, and can be printed for your audiance.
• Important to think about the information on your slides to share it with people who cannot be in the room with you.