Initial Publication Date: September 10, 2008

Online 1: Sharing Your First DataTools Investigation Plan

Introduction

Hello and welcome to our first Web-based collaboration of the DataTools program! This event will run from Thursday, September 11 through Sunday evening, September 21. The purpose of this event is to share your plan for your first DataTools Investigation. You'll contribute to the growing collection of data-rich investigations on our Web site and you may discover data sets and plans developed by your colleagues that you'd like to use in your own classroom.

  • Right-click on a PC or control-click on a MAC to download the DataTools Investigation Template (Microsoft Word 43kB Sep10 08).
  • Right-click on a PC or control-click on a MAC to download a sample DataTools Investigation Template for Sizing Up Cells (Microsoft Word 145kB Sep10 08).
  • The Steps for Data Analysis in the template do not need to be overly detailed. However, please do provide enough description so that if a colleague of yours would like to use your plan, they'll know what to have students do.
  • As you think about engaging your students in data analysis, you may want to remind yourself of the data analysis techniques that you have learned about so far in the DataTools program. View a list of these techniques for Excel, ImageJ, and AEJEE GIS.

Details of the Week's Assignment

Between Thursday September 11 and Wednesday evening September 17, please post the completed Part 1 (planning section) of the DataTools Investigation Template in the discussion area. Please include your initials in the file name of your plan.

Access the discussion area and post your plans.

Between Thursday September 18 and Sunday September 21, download and take a quick look through the plans submitted by your colleagues. See if there are plans you might like to use or modify for use in your own classroom, or if there are plans that spark any new ideas for you. Please post a few questions or ideas about the possible modification or reuse of a plan within the thread for that plan.

A Reminder About Help
Please ask for help as you may need it, from your colleagues or from the DataTools program staff. We are always happy to help.