Setting Up Your Digital Tools

Section Setting Up Your Digital Tools

Once you’ve identified the tools that fit your context, the next step is setting them up for smooth classroom use. This includes creating accounts, testing functionality, and preparing backup plans for when technology doesn’t cooperate.

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Exploration 51. Try This Week: Set Up One New Tool.

Time needed: 45 minutes to fully set up and test one tool

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Choose one tool from your prioritized list and work through this complete setup process:

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Phase 1: Account and Access Setup (15 minutes)

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• Create necessary accounts (yours and, if needed, a test student account)

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• Verify the tool works on your classroom devices

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• Check if students need individual accounts or can share one

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• Test internet connectivity requirements

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Phase 2: Functionality Testing (20 minutes)

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• Import or create a small sample dataset

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• Try the basic functions you’ll need (graphing, sorting, calculating)

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• Test sharing/collaboration features if applicable

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• Export or save work in multiple formats

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Phase 3: Classroom Integration Planning (10 minutes)

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• Identify potential technical challenges and solutions

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• Plan how students will access the tool (login process, device distribution)

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• Prepare a non-digital backup plan for the same activity

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• Create a simple instruction sheet for students

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Checkpoint 99.

During your tool setup, you discover that the district firewall blocks access to your chosen data visualization website. What’s your best next step?

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Hint.

Think about sustainable solutions rather than trying to work around technical restrictions.

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Solution.

Fighting technology restrictions usually isn’t worth the effort and stress. Instead, identify alternative tools that work in your environment (like offline software or different websites), or develop paper-based methods for the same activities. Remember: the goal is student learning, not using specific tools.

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Exploration 52. Preparing Students for Tool Use.

Student success with digital tools depends on clear expectations and simple procedures:

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Before First Use:

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• Create simple, visual instruction guides (screenshots work great)

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• Plan for different student tech skill levels

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• Identify tech-savvy students who can help peers

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• Test the tool with a small group first

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During Tool Introduction:

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• Start with the simplest possible task

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• Demonstrate each step clearly

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• Build in time for exploration and questions

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• Have alternatives ready for students who struggle

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Ongoing Support Strategies:

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• Post instructions somewhere students can reference them

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• Create "tech helper" roles for confident students

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• Keep backup activities for rapid finishers

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• Save student work frequently to prevent loss

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Checkpoint 100.

What’s the most important factor for successful integration of digital tools in data science lessons?

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Hint.

Think about what should drive your tool choices and usage decisions.

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Solution.

Technology should be invisible—students should focus on data thinking, not on figuring out how to use the tool. If students spend more time troubleshooting than analyzing data, the tool is getting in the way of learning. Choose tools that enhance data science thinking without adding unnecessary complexity.

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