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Year 4

Using data from sensors to answer questions

I can use data from sensors to answer questions.

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New
New
Year 4

Using data from sensors to answer questions

I can use data from sensors to answer questions.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Data collected from sensors can help answer specific questions by showing what happened, when, and how it changed.
  2. Interpretation involves identifying patterns, spikes, trends, and any unusual readings.
  3. Data loggers provide accurate, reliable, and consistent data.
  4. They can record data over long periods, even when people are not present.

Keywords

  • Analyse - to look at something in more detail to further understand it

  • Review - assess the quality of something

  • Conclusion - judgements based on the results of your findings

Common misconception

Data loggers are better at collecting data than humans.

There are many advantages for using data loggers but they can’t collect all types of data so cannot be thought to be better than humans in all situations.


To help you plan your year 4 computing lesson on: Using data from sensors to answer questions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Give opportunities for pupils to feed back their evaluations to others. Reading through the thoughts recorded helps understand how to improve next time.
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.
Name a device you could use to record temperature over time.
Correct Answer: data logger
Q2.
Put these steps in order for planning an investigation:
1 - Decide what you want to find out.
2 - Identify the data you need.
3 - Choose the right sensor.
4 - Plan where to place the data logger.
Q3.
Arrange these steps for collecting data using a data logger:
1 - Set up the data logger.
2 - Start recording data.
3 - Monitor the experiment.
4 - Review the collected data.
Q4.
Match each keyword to its meaning:
Correct Answer:data logger,device that records data from the environment

device that records data from the environment

Correct Answer:collection,the act of gathering data

the act of gathering data

Correct Answer:sensor,tool that detects changes in the environment

tool that detects changes in the environment

Correct Answer:investigation,a process to answer a question

a process to answer a question

Q5.
Why is planning important before collecting data?
to use up batteries
to choose a favourite colour
to finish quickly
Correct answer: to make sure you collect useful information
Q6.
Match the planning step to its purpose:
Correct Answer:decide the question,find out what you want to know

find out what you want to know

Correct Answer:choose a sensor,pick the right tool

pick the right tool

Correct Answer:plan the location,make sure you collect useful data

make sure you collect useful data

Correct Answer:set the interval,decide how often to record data

decide how often to record data

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is one benefit of using a data logger?
It can draw pictures.
It can tell stories.
It can cook food.
Correct answer: It can record data when people are not there.
Q2.
What does it mean to interpret data?
ignore it
Correct answer: identify patterns and trends
colour it in
erase it
Q3.
Match the benefit of using a data logger to its description.
Correct Answer:accurate data,reduces mistakes

reduces mistakes

Correct Answer:reliable data,consistent results

consistent results

Correct Answer:long-term recording,works when people are not present

works when people are not present

Correct Answer:identifies trends,helps spot patterns

helps spot patterns

Q4.
What does it mean to review your data?
Correct answer: assess its quality
ignore it
throw it away
hide it
Q5.
Put these steps in order for interpreting data from a data logger:
1 - Review the data.
2 - Identify patterns or unusual readings.
3 - Draw a conclusion.
4 - Share your findings.
Q6.
Which of these is NOT always true about data loggers?
They can record measurements for a long time.
Correct answer: They can replace humans for every type of data collection.
They help provide reliable information.
They can work when people are not present.