New
New
Year 4

Using a digital device to collect data

I can use a digital device to collect data.

New
New
Year 4

Using a digital device to collect data

I can use a digital device to collect data.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A data logger is a digital device that records data using sensors.
  2. Sensors can collect various types of data, such as temperature, light and movement.
  3. Data from sensors can help answer real-world questions.

Keywords

  • Input device - a piece of hardware used to control, or send data to, a computer

  • Sensor - an input device that allows a computer to collect data from the physical environment

  • Data logger - a device that records data from the physical environment

Common misconception

A sensor is an ouput device.

A sensor is an input device that allows a computer to collect data from the physical environment.


To help you plan your year 4 computing lesson on: Using a digital device to collect data, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Make sure you practise setting up the digital devices to record data. This helps spot problems pupils may have when they do it for themselves.
Teacher tip

Equipment

This lesson is designed around the use of a TTS data logger. If you don’t have access to data loggers, a lot of the activities can be completed using tablet computers and apps.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What must you choose carefully to answer a question with data?
Correct Answer: data set
Q2.
Put these steps in the right order for using data:
1 - collect information
2 - organise it in a table
3 - look for patterns
4 - answer a question
Q3.
What is needed for a question to be effective with data?
it is the longest question
it has lots of colours
Correct answer: it can be answered using available data
it is about your favourite animal
Q4.
What is one thing a table helps you do?
Correct answer: compare information easily
grow a plant
paint a picture
write a poem
Q5.
Which of these can show patterns over time?
a random picture
a single number
a list of names
Correct answer: a table of daily temperatures
Q6.
What does the word "data" mean in computing?
a finished story
a song
Correct answer: information collected for a purpose
a painting

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the name of a device that records data using sensors?
Correct Answer: data logger
Q2.
What does the word "input" mean in "input device"?
showing pictures on a screen
printing documents
storing files
Correct answer: sending data to the computer
Q3.
Which device is used to collect data from the environment?
Correct answer: sensor
speaker
monitor
mouse mat
Q4.
Why are sensors important in science investigations?
they help you draw
they play games
Correct answer: they give accurate measurements
they read stories
Q5.
What type of device is a sensor?
Correct answer: input device
output device
storage device
display device
Q6.
Match the item to its description:
Correct Answer:temperature sensor,measures how warm or cold it is

measures how warm or cold it is

Correct Answer:light sensor,measures how bright it is

measures how bright it is

Correct Answer:movement sensor,measures changes in position

measures changes in position