This material was originally created for
Starting Point:Introductory Geology and is replicated here as part of the SERC Pedagogic Service.
Initial Publication Date: December 21, 2006
Show caption
HideAll truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)
What is Teaching with data?
Any learning process that uses observations, defined in the most general sense, as a fundamental component to student learning. What is Teaching With Data? (links to different types of instructional data)
Why use data in introductory courses?
Teaching students to use, analyze, and understand data to explore scientific questions is an essential component of basic science education.Why Teach With Data? (reasons complied from Using Data in the Undergraduate Science Classroom workshop participants)
How to use data in an introductory course?
Design criteria for effective data based learning experiences, along with issues related to the use of data access, visualization, and analysis tools are important considerations for teaching with data.How to Teach With Data (links to published data resources, tips for designing activities, and important concepts to consider)
Notes and references
The NSDL sponsored Using Data in the Classroom workshop is an excellent resource of related information. The results and recommendations of the workshop were used extensively throughout the development process of this Starting Point module.