Collecting data for a purpose
I can explain the difference between data and information and know that data can come from a range of sources.
Collecting data for a purpose
I can explain the difference between data and information and know that data can come from a range of sources.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Data is just the raw values and facts, presented without any meaning.
- Information is data that has been given structure or meaning.
- Data you collect yourself is primary data.
- Data collected by others is secondary data.
Keywords
Data - facts and figures in their raw form
Information - data that has been given structure or meaning
Primary - collecting data yourself
Secondary - someone else collects the data
Common misconception
Data and information are the same thing.
Data and information are realted but are different. Data is raw facts and figures whilst information is data that has been processed to have meaning.
To help you plan your year 7 computing lesson on: Collecting data for a purpose, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 7 computing lesson on: Collecting data for a purpose, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 computing lessons from the Data modelling unit, dive into the full secondary computing curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Pupils will require access to a device with software that provides spreadsheet capabilities.
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
needed to do a calculation, must start with the = symbol
the location of a cell, made up of a column name and a row number
a tool that fills the selected cells with repeating values





Exit quiz
4 Questions
facts and figures
facts and figures that have been organised so that they have meaning
data that you have collected and that you are using yourself
data that somebody else collected and that you are using
