Topic 6 Activities

This week you are investigating the different data mining techniques that can be used in organisations to collect, organise and store data. It is imperative at the end of this week that you are able to:

• define data mining as an enabling technology for business intelligence
• understand the objectives and benefits of business analytics and data mining
• recognise the wide range of applications of data mining
• build awareness of the existing data mining software tools
• understand the pitfalls and myths of data mining

1. Read the following chapters/papers

Berry, JA & Linoff, G 2011, Data mining techniques: for marketing, sales, and customer relationship management, 3rd edn, Chapter 3, Wiley Pub., viewed 31 Aug 2013, http://ezlibproxy.unisa.edu.au/login?url=http://site.ebrary.com/lib/unisaau/Top?id=10513818

2. Watch the following videos

3. Write a short note on padlet to identify your thoughts about how data mining can assist your allocated organisation in their recent decision making.

4. Complete the Excel Basics quiz.

Seminar

1. Theory discussion: What did you learn about this week's theory? Are there elements of the theory that you don't understand? Discuss this in your tables.
2. In your Organisation discuss the posts that you have made on padlet about the use of data mining techniques to support decision making for your organisation.
3. Small group discussions will be held to consider the use of spreadsheets for data mining.

Workshop

1. Review of Amazing Race Presentations - students will peer review the other groups' Amazing Race from the previous week and discuss the group work aspects of the project.
2. Data mining is a skill that many past students have identified as being very important in their first years of employment.  

   In your group select one available online database (eg AOL music, iTunes, imdb.com, etc). Explore the website to determine what information it provides. Once identified, list the attributes (types of information or fields) that are collected and displayed.  Can you identify any links between the information and the pages on which they are available? Is the information easy to locate? Why/why not? Present your findings on PowerPoint or Padlet.

3. Excel and Data Mining Activity
4. Assignment 3 Preparation - planning activity

1. Review Excel material - go through additional exercise to improve your skills and knowledge of Excel
2. Assignment 2: Have you submitted your first Problem Analysis?
3. Assignment 3: Has your group met to discuss distribution of task responsibilities