Data Handling Essay

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Data Handling Essay All areas of data handling have a mathematical potential, which, once established can further a child’s knowledge of the world. Back and Pumfrey (2012) state that: Data handling is one of the central activities in which real mathematicians engage: they (children) are frequently analysing data that they have gathered in various contexts and looking for patterns and generalities within them. As data handling is such a common procedure for gathering information and evidence, it is vital that it is taught effectively, in an environment where children will thrive and succeed. From reading varied mathematical literature, this essay will look at the teaching of: Venn diagrams, Carroll diagrams, and how to handle statistical data. Venn and Carroll diagrams can be useful in solving logic problems which depicts relationships between different groups of objects. To teach Venn and Carroll diagrams efficiently, teachers should use children for sorting, whether this is moving children/objects to different areas of the room or into circles/two way reference charts, created using play dough, rope or chalk. Haylock (2010, p.342) states that ‘set diagrams are visual structures that aid children’s understanding of the process of sorting and the relationships between various sets and subsets’. From observing it taught in schools, it is evident that from having a practical experience, children are able to create new diagrams, gaining more knowledge and helping them to explore individual learning styles. When teaching about handling statistical data, Haylock (2010, p.344) states that it is vital that children ‘experience all four stages in handling data: collecting it, organising it, representing it and interpreting it’. This is the process of how children learn to collect data for purposeful enquiries. From doing so, children can develop their understanding of

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