How To: Students Create a Bar Graph With the iOS App “Pages”

For decades, teachers have used a variety of software options to create classroom materials. For many educators, that has meant using a suite of programs for desktop computers. Now that mobile apps have evolved to the point where they can offer similar functionality at a fraction of the price, educators may want to explore alternate technology for accomplishing classroom tasks.

The EducationWorld How To series offers simple instructions that help educators use app technology to simplify life in the classroom. See more How To articles.

The App: Pages

The Goal: Have students use Pages to create a graph displaying the results of a classroom poll.

The Steps: 

Before using the iPad, students will need to participate in a classroom poll on a topic of interest. For elementary students, the poll may assess something as simple as kids’ favorite color. For older students, try assessing class opinions on a more complex issue such as gun control or political candidates.

Once the data are collected, explain to students the importance of graphically displaying information, and let them know they’ll be using their iPads to create a graphical representation of poll data.

Begin by launching Pages and opening a new, blank document. Tap the + sign in the upper left-hand corner of the screen to open the “insert” tool. You will be presented with four choices; Media, Tables, Charts and Shapes. Tap Shapes to view the types of graphs available. You may swipe left or right to browse the various charts in both 2D and 3D. Students may select the graphical style they like best. Once they have settled on a style, have them tap it, and it will appear on the document with a series of controls highlighted.

In the center of the graph, there is a gyroscope icon. Placing your finger here and moving it results in the entire graph moving on an axis. Give students some leeway to arrange the graph at any angle they like. Similarly, placing a finder on any of the dots along the perimeter of the graph allows the user to stretch or shrink it. For the purposes of this exercise, you will want to encourage students to make the graph as large as possible.

The default graph will display two sets of data over a given span of time. Since this exercise is dealing with a single set of data, students will have to adjust the graph. Tapping on either of the data fields (Region 1 or Region 2) will bring up a small control menu. Choose Edit Data to launch an Excel-like spreadsheet containing the default data. Tap Region 2 to highlight it, and then tap the delete key on the virtual keyboard.

Repeat this step for the remainder of the Region 2 data. Lastly, tap on the color that had represented Region 2. This color is found on the leftmost area of the screen next to the cell that contained the region’s name. Once highlighted, choose delete. Tap Done, and you will see that the graph now displays only the data for Region 1.

Tap Region 1 again to launch the mini control menu and choose Edit Data. Tap Region 1 to highlight it and then enter the name of your data set. For our example, we are using “Mrs. Dench’s Class’ Favorite Colors.” Next, have students tap to highlight the descriptive cells. The default graph will have these cells filled with years (2009, 2010, etc.) Replace the years with the names of the items on which the class voted. In our example, the names would be those of the colors blue, red, white and gold.

For each item, follow the same step so that each color receives the proper amount of votes. In our example, Blue gets 8 votes, Red gets 3, White gets 4 and Gold gets 10. Once the data are properly added, tap done to see the finished chart. The control fields will be activated to allow for any fine-tuning of its placement. With the graph finally positioned, tap anywhere off the chart to disable the controls.

You should now have a graphical representation of the class data set. Students do not have to “Save” or “Save As.” Simply closing the app keeps the document saved until they are ready to print.

iPads have the ability to print wirelessly to printers that are connected to a WiFi network. Tapping the print button will bring up a list of printers on which to print the table. If the classroom is not connected to a Wi-Fi network or does not have a wireless printer, students can email the document.

Tapping the email button will bring up a small menu that offers a choice of the file format in which to send the document. Choose Word, and then tap “Send.” The quiz will arrive as a Word file that may be opened with Word and printed to a hard-lined printer.

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Article by Jason Tomaszewski, EducationWorld Associate Editor
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