{"id":3403,"date":"2015-03-02T18:57:48","date_gmt":"2015-03-02T18:57:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.classtools.net\/blog\/?p=3403"},"modified":"2016-12-07T16:15:56","modified_gmt":"2016-12-07T16:15:56","slug":"using-decision-trees-to-categorise-compare-and-contrast-key-factors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.classtools.net\/blog\/using-decision-trees-to-categorise-compare-and-contrast-key-factors\/","title":{"rendered":"Using Decision Trees to categorise, compare and contrast key factors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Overview<\/h2>\n

Decision Trees are a fun but effective way to get students reflecting carefully about the similarities and differences between various factors. They work on the same principle used by those questionnaires in time-killing magazines (\u201cWhat is your ideal job?\u201d) where each yes\/no answer takes you down a different branch until you end up with a final answer to the central question, as in this example:<\/p>\n

\"Should_I_Check_email\"<\/a>

Taken from http:\/\/libblog.lib.umassd.edu\/2013\/12\/30\/should-i-check-my-e-mail-holiday-break-fun\/<\/p><\/div>\n

Download<\/h2>\n

I have produced my own Decision Tree Template [Word<\/a>\u00a0| PDF<\/a>] which you can use with your students.<\/p>\n

Example<\/h2>\n

When studying Medieval religious beliefs and practices, provide students with a list of activities which people in the Middle Ages thought would help them get to heaven. Explain to students that they will be acting like a careers advisor to help people decide their ideal route to paradise.<\/p>\n

\"From<\/a>

From www.activehistory.co.uk<\/p><\/div>\n

They should do this by producing a decision-making tree to help people decide which \u201cstairway to heaven\u201d most closely matches their own personality, interests and abilities.\u00a0For example, one question might be \u201cDo you like travel?\u201d. Students can draw up their findings as an A3 diagram, a mindmap, or even an interactive website if they are so inclined.<\/p>\n

The crucial tip to give students is that they should aim to design questions which divide the remaining factors into two clear “Yes” and “No” categories. This is what really gets them thinking and reading carefully.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alternatively, students could use the SmartArt > Hierarchy feature in Word to produce a particularly neat decision tree.<\/p>\n

\"Screen<\/p>\n

\"Decision<\/a>

Decision making tree template designed using Word<\/p><\/div>\n

Taking it further<\/h2>\n