I just learned Powerpoint and this is my first go at it. I plan on teaching some data analysis first thing in my 6th and 7th grade math classes so that I may use relevant data to teach with throughout the year.
In Powerpoint: http://reulbach.pbworks.com/Data-Analysis
In PDF: http://reulbach.pbworks.com/f/Survey.pdf
I would LOVE comments and suggestions as:
1) This is my first ppt so I know it needs work.
2) I plan on doing more ppt asap so I would love tips so I can improve subsequent presentations.
3) This is my first time teaching to this level (MS) so I don’t want to go too high or low.
Thanks in advance for comments, suggestions, or any assistance you can offer!
I Speak Math 
I’d like to take a look but I don’t have PPT 2007. If you uploaded it to slideshare and embedded it or exported it to PDF that’d also work.
Thanks Jason! PDF is there, however since I overlaid some text boxes it will be hard to see a couple of the slides. Also, you won’t get to watch Richard Dawson. ; )
I wish I had constructive comments, but I don’t… because I think that the PDF is spot on! The ideas are clear — one key idea per slide. And you use pictures to illustrate, which is nice (something I don’t do enough and know I should). I don’t know how others feel about the purple background, but at first I was wary, but I actually grew to be good with it.
Now the real question is: did it take you forever to make or could you whip it together? If you’re going to do this everyday (like I do with Smartboards), you have to make sure it’s sustainable.
Sam
The content appears to math our 8th grade standards in Ohio. During your presentation are you going to expand on the different types of sampling using examples? Since students are writing questions will there be a discussion of question bias?
Another idea… When the political survey results start coming out in the fall some of the newspaper articles can be useful to revisit this idea. Have students explore the number of people surveyed and how that relates to the population. Will you also explore the idea of sample size?
I know you were asking about the power point… I agree with Sam that the visuals were helpful. I had to view the PDF and I thought the flow was good.
@samjshah – Thanks for the + comments. You made my day today!
And YES – this did take me fo’eva’ to make. I am learning Mac (from Windows) and Powerpoint right now so it is a slow – but fun – process. As much as I would love to, I know that I will not have enough time to make ppts for every day. So, I created a template where I can just open it up and start typing for future lessons. It “should” cut down on the time. In the template I can change the color or background style with one click.
Glad the purple grew on you. I am keeping the graph paper design for this unit and changing the color for every lesson. Purple is rad so it goes first!
@SarahI Thanks for the great suggestions. I love the newspaper idea for the fall! I also decided to put in sample size discussion and added it today. I may add a visual for the different types of sampling too since you mentioned it. I am going to cover sampling error, bias, and misleading graphs together on another day. I had planned that after the end, but didn’t think about the fact that they were writing questions and may need that info sooner. I may have to rearrange some things. Thanks again – great advice!
I liked your powerpoint too. Something to think about is dark backgrounds/light text usually require a darkened room while the reverse will work better in a brighter room.Assuming you’re projecting with the lights on, the white text in some of your slides might get washed out, especially because it’s also smaller and your font is sort of thin. Best advice is to project it and stand in the back of the class and see how it looks.
My projector isn’t that bright so I have to turn the lights off if I show a clip since yours is in the beginning it shouldn’t matter but it’s kind of a pain when I put it in the middle and have to keep turning on and off the lights.
Pedagogically: When we do this in science we usually need to create the understanding that sampling is a requirement. So something like a quick poll of how many kids own cell phones at a table, then in the class, then figure out how we’d do it for the whole school, city, country, world. Then it leads in the appropriate samples sizes. Then creating a survey question and design.
In science though this is a pretty major idea so we spend some time developing it. IDK how much bandwidth you want to devote to it.
Jason,
Thanks for the comments! I had not thought about the white text and lights on. I def want the lights on. Going to try Gills Sans too! I am always looking for a good font. And, I just learned ppt but am going to import this into Keynote and see the differences. I really love some of the ppt features and they are a deal breaker at this point. (Charts, Table Styles, and SmartArt Graphics).
I also love the inductive approach that you mentioned. I do this some but not nearly enough. I love to make the kids THINK but sometimes forget to “think” about that and end up just throwing the info at them. I need a big sticky note that says, “How can I LEAD them there?!?!” on my computer before I design any lesson.
I am making the changes now and am going to repost the ppt! 🙂 Love learning! Thanks!
I just want to say thank you for not making your Powerpoint full of cheesy lame cartoon graphics and 80 transitions per slide. Anytime I look on Google for lesson ideas, they are always embedded in these terrible powerpoints that I can hardly ring myself to click through.
Fonts I like are Trebuchet and Calibri. Also, once you get used to it, making powerpoints will come quicker. I made them almost every single day and they were my savior as a first year teacher. I absolutely adore them. Also, make sure your font is always 22 or bigger. That’s what ‘they’ say it needs to be for the students in the back of the room.
Also, if you want to borrow any powerpoints from me, (don’t know how useful they would be) please feel free to ask.
Elissa –
Thanks for the comment. I am very encouraged to hear that you did so many ppt’s! Also, thanks for the font size and style tip.
And, I could not agree with you more – the first thing I do with internet ppt’s that I “borrow” is take change the theme and take out all of the graphics and animations. Watching the letters drop in ONE AT A TIME tops my list of “things that quickly drive me to insanity”.
I have a feeling we are going to get along wonderfully!
And the humongous lame clip art and sound effects! Grr….they irritate me but make me laugh. What person enjoys that? lol
I think you did a GREAT job for your first powerpoint!!! Shudder when I think back to what my early efforts looked like. I really like how your ppt linked to Google Docs where you could quickly input questions from your students, thus making it more interactive. Also, I’m assuming that wherever you ask a question, there’s a big pause while you allow the students to “think, pair, share” their responses BEFORE you click on the answer. Example – Where you ask, Can you sample your entire population and your answer is NO… that’s a perfect place to pause for kids to discuss. Whenever possible, make your students tell their thoughts/ideas to another student. It’s not that scary since it’s only to one other person, so it’s still relatively private AND it keeps them involved. You want to make sure that the majority of talking is not being done by you.
When you get to the kinds of samples, you might want to link to a random name picker that you can embed on your wiki.
I suggest the one available at http://classtools.net/ if you want to use it. It’s on the right hand side and it’s called Random name picker.
Once I have one set up, I use it all the time to get volunteers. Kids love it. It would work in nicely with your ppt if you feel like including it. You can see mine from last year here: http://web.me.com/janicerobertson/Site/Musings/Entries/2009/9/7_Entry_1.html
Janice,
Thank you so much for your comment and suggestions! I still read them all and love when people comment! I ammcurrently using popsicle sticks with their names on it to pick students so everyone gets a turn. I love the random picker online thing though and can’t wait to check it out! Thanks!
Okay… so I’ve just nominated myself for the “totally clueless” award! I put your blog in my RSS feed, and didn’t bother to pay attention to the posting date!!!! I’m trying to keep up with all the great stuff that is available to read, so I was flying through a bunch, and replied to yours before I realized it had been posted on May 17th!
So sorry… you probably are way past needing any suggestions and are now a pro! 🙂
Please forgive my cluelessness!
Janice