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Some projects are structured so that student can take
turns gathering data from the Internet on a regular basis. Each day a
different student is given the responsibility of checking the web site,
obtaining the necessary data or information, and reporting back to
class. Keep in mind that students may need written instructions on
how to gather the data so that they can work independently. Additionally,
if they need to go outside the classroom to access the Internet you may
need to make special arrangements.
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| Example
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Students in Hudson county, New Jersey monitor the air
quality every day for a month, with a different student each day responsible
for retrieving the data and reporting back to class. The class makes a graph or
chart of the daily readings and the designated "reporter" for the day
is responsible for updating the graph or chart. At the end of the month, the
class reviews the graph or chart and determine if there is any trend in the
data.
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| Questions
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Consider these questions as you review your project.
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Is there any part of the project that you have selected that lends itself to
the periodic gathering of data? If so, which part?
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What data will be collected?
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Over how many days will data be collected?
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How will the class be organized to
accommodate this type of activity?
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Will
students need written instructions on how to gather the data? If so, will
you need to develop these?
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Where
will the students go to gather the data? What arrangements may need to
be made?
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| Resources
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Periodic Information Gathering
When using real time data from the Internet it can often be necessary
to collect data over a long time period. For example, if you are
interested in seeing how levels of ground
level ozone change with the seasons you will need to spend several
months, if not more, collecting data. Trying to do this during regular
scheduled class time can often interfere with other activities. Instead,
you can set up a data collecting schedule with your students so that each
day a different student is given the responsibility of checking the web
site, obtaining the necessary data or information, and reporting back to
class. They can do this either in class or by going to the library,
computer lab or even from home if they have access. This can allow
you to collect large amounts of data or other information over long time
periods without having to take time away from your regularly schedule class
time.
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