# Create
## 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.
#### 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
{% hint style="info" %}
Each field should be designed to align with your learning objectives and guide students towards collecting meaningful data.
{% endhint %}
:circle-info: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
{% hint style="success" %}
**Mapping learning outcomes to activities is very useful for curriculum mapping.**
{% endhint %}
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.
---
# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:
```
GET https://docs.lamsfoundation.org/lams/tools/data-collection/create.md?ask=
```
The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.
Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.