Total Hours: 50 | Marks: 10
What is Data Literacy?
Data Literacy means being able to read, understand, create, and work with data. In today’s world, data is everywhere – in schools, businesses, hospitals, social media, and even in sports.
Just like we learn to read and write in language, we now also need to learn how to understand and use data. This is called being “data literate”.
Why is Data Important?
Data is the fuel for Artificial Intelligence. Without data, AI cannot learn or make decisions.
Examples where data is used:
- A fitness band tracks your steps and shows your health data.
- A school keeps records of students’ marks and attendance.
- A weather app collects data from satellites to show forecasts.
- YouTube shows you videos based on the data of what you watched before.
The better the data, the smarter the decisions AI can make.
Types of Data
There are two main types of data:
1. Structured Data
This data is organized and fits into rows and columns (like in Excel).
Examples:
- Student names and marks in a table
- Employee data in a company
Looks like:
| Name | Class | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Riya | 9 | 85 |
| Aarav | 9 | 92 |
2. Unstructured Data
This data is not organized into a fixed format. It can be text, images, audio, video, etc.
Examples:
- Comments on social media
- Photographs and videos
- Voice messages
AI needs different tools to understand unstructured data.
Cybersecurity Basics
When we deal with data, we must also keep it safe and secure. That is called cybersecurity.
Why is it important?
- To protect personal and sensitive information
- To avoid data theft or misuse
- To stay safe while using the internet
Good Cyber Habits:
- Use strong passwords
- Don’t click on unknown links
- Keep your software updated
- Don’t share private information online
Data Interpretation and Visualization
Once we collect data, we need to understand and explain it. This is done using interpretation and visualization.
1. Interpretation
It means looking at the data and trying to find patterns or answers.
Example:
If a student got 50 marks in the first test, 60 in the second, and 70 in the third, we can interpret that the student is improving.
2. Visualization
This means showing data in the form of charts, graphs, and tables so that it becomes easier to understand.
Common ways to show data:
- Bar Graph
- Pie Chart
- Line Graph
- Table
Example:
A pie chart showing how students in a class travel to school:
- Bus: 40%
- Bicycle: 30%
- Walk: 20%
- Car: 10%
When data is shown visually, it becomes easier for everyone to read and understand the information.
Suggested Classroom Activities and Practicals
These activities will help students understand and use data in a fun and hands-on way.
1. Collect and Explore Data
Ask students to collect real-world data from their class or surroundings.
Example:
- Favorite subjects of classmates
- Daily screen time
- Weather data from the last 7 days
Then ask them to organize it in tables and observe patterns.
2. Create Visuals Using Tools
Students can turn their data into charts or graphs using easy online tools.
Free tools for data visualization:
Let students try bar graphs, pie charts, and line graphs based on the data they collected.
3. Dashboard Creation
A dashboard is a simple screen that shows multiple charts and important data in one place.
Students can create dashboards using:
- Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel
- Free online tools like Tableau
Example Project:
A dashboard showing class attendance for each month.
Summary of the Unit
- Data Literacy means understanding, creating, and using data properly.
- Data can be structured (tables) or unstructured (photos, videos, etc.).
- Cybersecurity helps keep our data safe online.
- Interpretation helps us understand what the data means.
- Visualization makes data easier to understand using graphs and charts.
- Students should practice working with real data to build their skills.