The Rookery

I've enjoyed having the opportunity to help the Herons do some data handling each Wednesday with the results from their Monday night surveys.  Usually, we've done quantitative analysis — counting certain responses, graphing them and using those data to help us make predictions or observations.

Today, we tried our hand at a qualitative analysis (and, yes, I did use those words — I'm not a believer in using simpler vocabulary with kids when they're learning new terms.  If a four year old can learn to identify a mamenchisaurus, a fourth grader can learn about qualitative analysis).  We split into groups of three and shared the results from our survey.  Groups then talked about the reasons people gave for their answers.  Working together, they used that part of the survey to find four or five qualities that make inventions important (in the opinion of those surveyed).  Their conversations were rich as they made generalizations, combined ideas, or fought for ideas to be kept separate.

One group was arguing about whether advances in transportation were completely covered by the concept of "connecting people" or if transportation inventions had a broader benefit.  Another group saw that many of their inventions saved time.  They then dug more deeply, wondering why saving time might be important.  "Well, it means people have more time for school"  "and fun!" "and making other stuff."  And there's the industrial revolution in a nutshell.  Another group identified that some inventions are like "trees that other inventions grow off of.  Like electricity.  It's what you need for light bulbs and computers and a lot of other things."

We got back together and made a list of about twelve qualities that important inventions have.  Tomorrow we'll look at the latest edition of Time for Kids which details their "Coolest Inventions of 2011"