New
New
Year 9

Using data to support decision making

I can explain how visualising data can help identify patterns and trends to gain insights.

New
New
Year 9

Using data to support decision making

I can explain how visualising data can help identify patterns and trends to gain insights.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Data science is extracting meaning from large data sets to gain insights that support decision making.
  2. Data visualisations are visual representations of data such as charts and graphs.
  3. Infographics are visual representations of data, often involving pictures that reflect patterns and help tell a story.
  4. Some online tools can be used to create data visualisations.

Keywords

  • Data science - extracting meaning from large data sets to gain insights that support decision making

  • Visualisation - a variety of techniques used to illustrate a problem and/or its solution to make it easier to understand

  • Infographic - visual representations of data, often involving pictures that reflect patterns and help tell a story

  • Insight - the actionable understanding gained from analysing data

Common misconception

The more data you include in a data visualisation, the better.

Removing unneccesary data from a visualisation can improve the quality of a visualisation.


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A sample set of data for the visualisation activity is provided as an additional resource for this lesson.
Teacher tip

Equipment

This lesson requires access to the website https://www.datawrapper.de/ or a similar tool to create a visualisation.

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.
Match the term to its description:

Correct Answer:spreadsheet,software for organising and analysing data

software for organising and analysing data

Correct Answer:infographic,combination of images and facts to present information

combination of images and facts to present information

Correct Answer:chart,visual display of numbers or information

visual display of numbers or information

Correct Answer:data collection,gathering information from various sources

gathering information from various sources

Q2.
Which of the following is a type of chart you can create in a spreadsheet?

Correct answer: bar chart
word search
crossword
poem

Q3.
Put these steps in order for creating a chart in a spreadsheet:

1 - enter data into cells
2 - highlight the data
3 - select 'Insert chart'
4 - choose the chart type

Q4.
What is the main purpose of a graph in a spreadsheet?

to decorate the page
to write a story
Correct answer: to show data visually
to play music

Q5.
Where might you have seen an infographic before?

in a textbook
on a billboard
on social media
Correct answer: all of the above

Q6.
Arrange these actions to show how data can lead to personalised suggestions:

1 - collect data about what you watch
2 - analyse the data
3 - suggest new content
4 - user views content

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the main goal of data science?

to create colourful charts
to write stories about numbers
Correct answer: to extract meaning from large sets of data
to make spreadsheets look interesting

Q2.
Why are visualisations like charts and graphs used when presenting data?

they make documents longer
Correct answer: they help to show patterns and trends clearly
they are required in every report
they use more colours

Q3.
What is the name for a visual representation that combines images and data to help explain patterns and tell a story?

Correct Answer: Infographic, infographics, infographic

Q4.
Put these steps in order to create a basic data visualisation:

1 - collect data
2 - enter data into software
3 - select the type of chart or graph
4 - create the visualisation

Q5.
Why might removing unnecessary data from a visualisation be helpful?

Correct answer: It helps viewers focus on the most important information.
It makes the chart more colourful.
It makes the data less accurate.
It shortens the lesson.

Q6.
What is meant by the term “insight” in data science?

the number of charts in a report
the amount of data collected
the colour used in a graph
Correct answer: the understanding gained from analysing data

Additional material

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