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Data Collection Content

When you set up a Data Collection activity, you define how students will enter, structure, and submit data. Below is a breakdown of all available configuration options and what each one allows you to control.

Data Collection content

Title

This is the name of the activity shown to students. Use a clear and descriptive title so students immediately understand the purpose of the task

Instructions

Here you provide students with guidance on what to collect and how to do it. This is critical to ensure consistency and quality of data across all student submissions. Make sure the title is self-descriptive, which clears the purpose of the data collection and what is expected of students.

Questions (Data Fields)

This is where you define the structure of your dataset. Each “question” represents a field students must complete when submitting a record.

Available Field Types

• Single line text

  Use for short responses, such as names, labels, or brief descriptions

• Multi-line text

  Use for longer explanations or observations, such as reflections or detailed notes

• Numbers

  Ideal for quantitative data, such as measurements, counts, or scores

• Date

  Allows students to record a specific date, useful for time-based tracking

• File

  Enables upload of documents or other files (e.g. PDFs, datasets)

• Image

  Allows students to upload photos or visual evidence

• Radio buttons

  Students select one option from a predefined list

• Dropdown menu

  Similar to radio buttons but more compact, useful for multiple predefined choices

• Checkbox

  Allows students to select multiple options

• Longitude/Latitude

  Used for geographical data collection, such as mapping or fieldwork

Each field should be designed to align with your learning objectives and guide students towards collecting meaningful data.

Tips on the Educational Value of Data Collection

• Design meaningful data structures: Ensure each field aligns with your learning outcomes, so students collect relevant and useful information

• Guide quality over quantity: Encourage students to focus on accurate and thoughtful entries, not just volume

• Use the data for follow-up activities: Turn the collected data into analysis tasks, debates, or problem-solving exercises

• Encourage reflection: Ask students to interpret patterns or trends in the dataset to deepen understanding

• Integrate real-world contexts: Use scenarios that require students to gather authentic, real-life data

• Monitor and scaffold: Provide feedback during the activity to help students improve their data collection and reasoning

By using Data Collection effectively, you enable students to co-create knowledge, think like researchers, and engage in a more meaningful and interactive learning experience.

Advanced settings

Entry Limits

• Minimum records

  Set the minimum number of entries each student must submit

  Useful to ensure baseline participation

• Maximum records

  Set the maximum number of entries allowed per student

  Helps control workload and data volume

Notifications

• Notify instructors when a student enters this activity

  Sends an email when a student accesses the activity. Useful for tracking engagement

• Notify instructors when a student submits a record

  Sends an email when a student adds new data. Helps you monitor progress in real time

End of Activity

• Lock when finished

  Prevents students from adding more records after completion

  Useful when you want to freeze the dataset for analysis or assessment

Learning Outcomes

Mapping learning outcomes to activities is very useful for curriculum mapping.

Add learning outcomes to the activity

As with all activities in LAMS, you can map your learning outcomes to this activity. If you want to add a learning outcome, just search for the particular outcome or type a new one it will be added to your list of learning outcomes for the future.

You can search Learning Outcomes by code or name.