Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1, SS 1, SSS1, SSS 1)
Term: 1st Term
Week: 3
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Computer Studies
Curriculum Theme: Computer Studies
Previous Lesson: Computer Hardware and Computer Software.
Topic: Data and Information
Subject Matter: Definition of data, definition of information, differences between data and information, examples of data as raw facts and information as processed data

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Define data.
Define information.
Differentiate between data and information.
Give examples of data and the information obtained from it.

Affective Domain:

Show interest in careful recording of facts to avoid wrong conclusions.
Appreciate the importance of accurate information for good decisions.

Psychomotor Domain:

Identify examples of data written on the board and classify them as raw facts.
Arrange given data items into a simple table and state the information derived from it.

Work in pairs to convert given data into meaningful information.
Participate in class discussion and listen to group responses.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
New Computer Studies for Senior Secondary Schools (SSS 1)
Encyclopaedia Britannica: Data
Encyclopaedia Britannica: Information
GCFGlobal: Understanding Data and Information

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

A computer system (or laptop)
Charts showing examples of data and information
Whiteboard/marker
Prepared data set for class activity (numbers, names, scores)
Keyboard chart or physical keyboard for observation

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand how raw facts become meaningful results used in daily life. It also enables pupils to separate what is collected (data) from what is concluded after processing (information).

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have basic experience with numbers, lists, and simple records such as names and scores, and they have seen a computer keyboard and screen display.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Data and Information

Meaning of Data

Data are raw facts and figures collected about a person, event, or thing before processing.

Examples of Data

The following are examples of data:

Names of pupils in a class
Scores in a test (e.g., 45, 62, 78, 90)
Daily sales figures of a shop
Temperatures recorded each day
Letters on a keyboard arranged as A, B, C, D, etc.

Meaning of Information

Information is data that has been processed, organized, or interpreted to give meaning and support decision making.

Examples of Information

The following are examples of information obtained from data:

Average score of the class from the list of scores
Highest and lowest score from test results
Total weekly sales from daily sales figures
Weather report based on recorded temperatures
Meaningful words typed using keyboard letters

Differences Between Data and Information

The following are differences between data and information:

Data are raw facts, while information is processed data.
Data may be unorganized, while information is organized and meaningful.
Data alone may not support decisions, while information supports decisions.
Data is the input, while information is the output after processing.

Data Processing Example

The following shows how data becomes information:

Data: 50, 60, 70, 80, 90
Information: Average score is 70; highest score is 90; lowest score is 50

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher writes a short list of numbers and names on the board and asks pupils what the list represents. The teacher guides pupils to state that the list is raw facts and introduces the topic and objectives.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to questions and suggest what the list means.
Learning Point: Raw facts are collected before meaning is derived from them.

Step 2: Meaning of Data

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines data and gives simple examples related to school records. The teacher writes the definition and key examples on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the notes and provide additional examples of data.
Learning Point: Data are raw facts and figures collected for processing.

Step 3: Meaning of Information

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines information and explains that information is obtained after processing data. The teacher gives examples such as average score and total sales.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the notes and mention examples of information they have seen (results, reports, summaries).
Learning Point: Information is processed data that has meaning.

Step 4: Differences Between Data and Information

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Question and Answer
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher draws a simple two-column table labelled Data and Information and guides pupils to fill it. The teacher highlights clear differences and corrects misconceptions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils suggest points for each column and copy the completed table.
Learning Point: Data and information differ by meaning, organization, and use.

Step 5: Demonstration with Keyboard Letters and Class Records

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays a keyboard or keyboard chart and guides pupils to observe letters as data. The teacher demonstrates typing a word to show how data can produce meaningful information. The teacher also uses a short data set (scores) to produce information (highest, lowest, average).
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the keyboard arrangement, identify letters as data, and follow the processing example from scores to summary.
Learning Point: Processing converts raw data into useful information.

Step 6: Guided Practice

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher gives a short data set (five test scores or daily sales) and guides pupils in pairs to state two pieces of information from it (total, average, highest, lowest).
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils work in pairs to process the given data and present answers.
Learning Point: Simple processing can produce information for decision making.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Define data.
Define information.
State three differences between data and information.
List two examples of data and state one information that can be obtained from each.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 0 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the meanings of data and information, their differences, and a simple processing example. Assignment: provide five examples of data from daily life and write the information that can be obtained from each.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the summary points and assignment.
Learning Point: Data becomes information after processing and interpretation.

Lesson Keywords

Data – Raw facts and figures collected before processing.
Information – Processed and organized data that has meaning.
Processing – Actions carried out on data to produce information.
Raw facts – Uninterpreted details such as numbers, names, and symbols.
Decision making – Using information to choose the best action.

Differentiation

Pupils who need support will use prepared examples and guided tables, while advanced pupils will create their own data set and derive at least three different pieces of information from it.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Use familiar school records like scores and attendance to make the difference between data and information clear. Ensure pupils can define both terms, list differences, and convert a small data set into simple information for examination purposes.