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Uncovering student statistical competences via new interfaces

Ridgway, J.; McCusker, S.; Nicholson, J.

Authors

S. McCusker

J. Nicholson



Contributors

G. Burrill
Editor

M. Camden
Editor

Abstract

The paper reviews the nature of statistics in the UK National Curriculum. While there is great opportunity for statistics to inform thinking in a range of disciplines, there is little coherence in the planning of activities for children. Formal assessment of statistical ability focuses on procedural knowledge, applied to univariate and bivariate problems. These provisions are inadequate for informed citizenship. We report work on World Class Tests (WCT), where students aged 9 and 13 years are presented with both paper-based and IT-based problem solving tasks in mathematics and science. Many of these tasks require students to work with three or more variables, often non-linearly related to each other. Students perform rather well on these tasks. Tasks are shown, together with performance data disaggregated by school and sex. Features of the displays that make them well suited to the exploration of complex patterns are discussed, and our design principles are described. Our current activities set out to embed test items in curriculum materials suitable for use in mathematics and science classrooms. A good grounding in handling complex data is essential for informed citizenship. We are in the process of creating methods to help students develop appropriate skills.

Citation

Ridgway, J., McCusker, S., & Nicholson, J. (2004). Uncovering student statistical competences via new interfaces. In G. Burrill, & M. Camden (Eds.),

Conference Name International Association for Statistical Education Roundtable.
Conference Location Lund, Sweden
Start Date Jun 28, 2023
End Date Jul 3, 2004
Publication Date 2004
Deposit Date Feb 8, 2007
Pages 75-92
Series Title Curricular development in statistics education.
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1695054
Publisher URL http://www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/~iase/publications.php?show=rt04
Additional Information Conference dates: June 28 - July 3 2004.


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