Mastering Google Sheets Charts for Teachers

Mastering Google Sheets for Teachers: Creating Charts

Mastering Google Sheets for Teachers: Creating Charts

In today's data-driven classrooms, teachers regularly collect and analyze student performance data to guide instruction and improve outcomes. However, manually organizing and interpreting this data can be time-consuming and prone to errors. This training is designed to equip teachers with the essential skills needed to use Google Sheets to simplify the process. By the end of this training, you will be able to use the data provided to create and format charts within Google Sheets, helping you to interpret and visualize student data. Through clear, step-by-step instructions and hands-on practice, you'll learn how to turn raw data into visual insights that can inform your teaching decisions and save you time. Let's get started with streamlining your classroom data analysis!

Next

How to Use the Buttons

Show More

Use this button to open a new window with additional information.

Link

Link

Use this button to open link in a new tab.

Additional Information

Use this button to see additional information about a subject.

Audio

Use this button to listen to the audio on the slide.

View Answers

Use this button to view the correct answer.

Next

Flow of Instruction

Below is the order of modules throughout the instruction. The modules must be completed in order.

Creating & Formatting the Chart

01

04

The Basics

02

05

Structure of Data Sets

Analyze the Charts

03

06

Choosing Charts

Performance Task

Next

01

The Basics

Next

Are you ready?

Before you jump into the instruction and dive into Google Sheets, you need to make sure you are able to do the basics. Whether you're creating a simple list or analyzing large sets of numbers, mastering the basics of Google Sheets will significantly enhance your ability to work efficiently and effectively with data. In this section, we'll provide a job-aid on the foundational skills you need to get started, including navigating the interface, entering and formatting data, and using basic formulas.

Next

A basic job-aid:

Use this tool to orient and review skills on Google Sheet

Click the buttons to learn more

Next

Index

Creating & Formatting the Chart

The Basics

Structure of Data Sets

Analyze the Charts

Choosing Charts

Performance Task

Next

02

Structure of Data Sets

Next

By the end of this section, you will be able to classify data types as either numerical or categorical.

Next

Types of Data

Understanding the types of data is a critical step in effectively analyzing and visualizing information. Data can generally be categorized as numerical or categorical, and recognizing these distinctions will guide you in selecting the appropriate methods for data analysis and representation. In this section, you will learn how to identify and classify data into its correct type. This foundational knowledge will not only help in creating accurate visual representations but also in interpreting and making informed decisions based on the data.

Next

VS

Numerical Data

Categorical Data

As educators, we regularly work with numerical data—whether it's tracking student grades, monitoring attendance, or analyzing assessment results. Numerical data sets provide us with concrete, measurable values that can be analyzed to inform our teaching practices and decisions. Understanding how to work with this type of data is essential for interpreting trends, assessing student progress, and making data-driven adjustments to instruction.

In the classroom, we often deal with information that can be grouped into categories, such as student demographics, learning styles, or participation in different activities. Unlike numerical data, categorical data groups information into distinct labels or categories, helping us identify patterns, track student diversity, and tailor our instruction to meet the needs of different groups.

Next

Check your understanding

Next

Can you identify numerical data vs categorical data?

Next

Can you identify numerical data vs categorical data?

Next

Index

Creating & Formatting the Chart

The Basics

Structure of Data Sets

Analyze the Charts

Choosing Charts

Performance Task

Next

03

Choosing the Charts

Next

By the end of this section, you will be able to correctly identify the correct type of chart according to the situation given.

Next

Chart Types in Google Sheets

Effectively visualizing student data is a powerful tool for teachers to better understand performance trends, identify areas for improvement, and communicate results. With a variety of chart types available in Google Sheets, it's important to know which one best suits the data at hand. In this section, you will explore common chart types—bar charts, line charts, and pie charts —and learn how to select the most appropriate one for different kinds of data. By mastering this skill, you'll be able to present data in a clear, meaningful way that supports decision-making and enhances student outcomes.

Line Chart

Pie Chart

Bar Chart

A circular chart divided into slices to illustrate proportions. Great for showing the proportion of students in different categories (e.g., grade distribution or the percentage of students achieving certain marks). It helps teachers see at a glance how many students are meeting expectations.

A line chart connects individual data points with a line to show trends over time. This can be used to track student progress, attendance, or trends in grades across multiple test dates or assignments.

Displays vertical bars to represent data values. Its useful for comparing student performance across different categories (e.g., subjects or assessment types), making it easy to see how students are performing in comparison to one another.

Next

Check your understanding

Next

Practice! Practice! Practice!

Let's see if we can determine what types of charts should be created with the scenarios given.

Next

Practice! Practice! Practice!

Let's see if we can determine what types of charts should be created with the scenarios given.

Next

Practice! Practice! Practice!

Let's see if we can determine what types of charts should be created with the scenarios given.

Next

Index

Creating & Formatting the Chart

The Basics

Structure of Data Sets

Analyze the Charts

Choosing Charts

Performance Task

Next

04

Creating & Formatting the Charts

Next

By the end of this section, you will be able to generate and format a chart by following the required steps.

Next

Data Sets

Below are the links to the data sets provided for this training. You must make a copy to be able to edit and create charts on your own.

Link

Link

Numerical Data Set

Categorical Data Set

Next

Creating a Bar Chart with Numerical Data

Next

Create a Line Chart with Numerical Data

Next

Creating a Bar Chart with Categorical Data

Next

Create a Pie Chart with Categorical Data

Next

Index

Creating & Formatting the Chart

The Basics

Structure of Data Sets

Analyze the Charts

Choosing Charts

Performance Task

Next

05

Analyze the Charts

Next

By the end of this section, you will be able to accurately interpret the visual representation and draw at least three conclusions from the data presented.

Next

Importance of Analyzing Student Data

Why should teachers analyze student data with charts created in Google Sheets? -- To identify trends and patterns in student performance. Visualizing data through charts allows teachers to quickly assess areas where students are excelling and areas where they may need additional support. For example, teachers can:

Track progress

Identify learning gaps

Use line or bar charts to observe student growth over time in various assessments, such as quizzes, tests, and participation.

Spot underperforming areas, such as specific topics or assignments where students may struggle, using pie charts or bar graphs to categorize scores.

Differentiate instruction

Make data-driven decisions

Analyze group or individual performance to tailor instruction for students who may need enrichment or remediation.

Utilize data insights to adjust teaching strategies, group students effectively, or provide targeted feedback to support student achievement.

Next

Analyzing Student Grades with a Bar Chart

The questions on the right are possible questions that could be used to analyze the graphs. Why would teachers want to ask these questions?

1) Do higher quiz scores correlate with higher overall averages, or are there exceptions?

2) Is there a pattern in how scores change from Quiz 1 to Quiz 2 across the entire class?

3) Which students showed the most improvement from Quiz 1 to Quiz 2?

Next

Analyzing Learning Styles with a Pie Chart

The questions on the right are possible questions that could be used to analyze the graphs. Why would teachers want to ask these questions?

1) Which learning style is most common among the group?

2) Are there correlations between preferred learning style and other factors, such as quiz scores or student engagement?

3) Does the distribution of preferred learning styles align with the current teaching methods?

Next

Analyzing Student Performance Across Assessments with a Line Chart

The questions on the right are possible questions that could be used to analyze the graphs. Why would teachers want to ask these questions?

1) Are there any students who showed significant improvement or decline from Quiz 1 to Test 1?

2) Did any student's performance change significantly between the quizzes and the test? What factors could explain this change?

3) Is there a common pattern in the scores across all students (e.g., a dip for one assessment)?

Next

Check your understanding

Next

Practice! Practice! Practice!

Let's see if we can analyze the charts given questions about the data.

Next

Practice! Practice! Practice!

Let's see if we can analyze the charts given questions about the data.

Next

Practice! Practice! Practice!

Let's see if we can analyze the charts given questions about the data.

Next

Index

Creating & Formatting the Chart

The Basics

The Basics

Structure of Data Sets

Structure of Data Sets

Analyze the Charts

Choosing Charts

Choosing Charts

Performance Task

Next

06

Performance Task

Next

Let's see what we know!

The link below will take you to the performance task. You will be required to take a set of student data to create charts and then analyze those charts given certain questions.

Start

Next

Thank you!

Erika Cheek

echeek@southalabama.edu

Click here for the Course Survey and Completion Certificate

Arithmetic Operations

Quantitative values

You can perform mathematical operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) on the data.

The data consists of numbers that represent measurable quantities.

Continuous or Discrete

Units of Measurement

Continuous: Data that can take any value within a range (e.g., height, temperature).Discrete: Data that can only take specific values, often counts (e.g., number of students, items sold).

Often, numerical data is associated with specific units (e.g., meters, dollars, degrees).

Qualitative Values

No Arithmetic Operations

Mathematical operations (addition, subtraction) cannot be performed on categorical data, as it does not consist of numerical values (e.g., you cannot average student names).

Categorical data consists of descriptive attributes that represent characteristics or qualities (e.g., student names, types of assessments).

Discrete Categories

Descriptive for Analysis

Categorical data is made up of distinct, separate categories, with no values in between (e.g., categories like “A, B, C” grades or “Math, Science, History” subjects).

Categorical data helps teachers analyze trends in student performance, preferences, and demographics, leading to more informed instructional decisions.