The importance of being statistically literate...

Initially, I thought statistics simply referred to the data collected by organisation. I knew that statisticians would regularly work with data in the form of graphs and tables. However, other than this basic idea concerning statistics, I knew there was more depth I needed to learn. H. G. Wells (as cited in ABS, 2010), believed in the future, it will be equally important for citizens to possess statistical thinking as it is for citizens to be able to read and write. Currently, statistics are being collected and represent the majority of aspects of life in Australia (ABS, 2010). According to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS, 2013), statistics is important skill for students to acquire to be active and informed members of the community. By the time students reach upper primary they are expected to have data awareness, understanding of the statistical concepts including mediums and medians, analyse, interpret and evaluate the statistical information, as well as having correct communication skills. The Australian Curriculum requires students to use purposeful investigations to collect and interpret data and have many opportunities to represent the data that shows the summary of their findings. Statistics as necessary to be included in primary school as the students are encountering statistics every day. Students see and hear it on television, on the radio, in newspaper, on the internet, opinion polls and news reports. Statistics show interesting stories and enables students to make sense of the world (ABS, 2010). It is important students are given purposeful tasks that incorporate mathematical ideas in a context that makes sense to them and their world. Students will be engaged in activities that reflect their interests. Teachers will engage more students if they propose investigations that involve data about the students in the class.

My original idea of statistics involved the representation of data. Statistics includes the collection and organisation of the data as well as how it is presented. It is important to begin a statistical investigation with a carefully considered question. This question will then lead to what ways would be best to collect the data. Two data collection methods include surveys and experiments. The next step would be to organise and represent the results of the survey and/or experiment and determine the best way to present the information. Finally, the data is analysed and interpreted. Statistics to include presenting a collection of data in its useful form. It is generally not useful to present raw data. Raw data is interpreted and analysed and often displayed in tables or graphs. There are a few common terms that are used in statistics to describe the data. These include the ways to calculate the average of the range (difference between the lowest and the highest scores) of data. There are three main ways to calculate the average. This include the medium

Data analysis and statistics are useful to provide a meaningful context which promotes problem solving and critical thinking to students. To solve the problems, students need to enhance their mathematical skills and continue to develop their number sense whilst applying computation (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division). In the Australian curriculum, statistics shares a learning strand with probability. Depending on the lesson students are able to practice counting in the early years, middle primary can use measurement to present data on the heights of classmates in the class and year six students are able to use fractions, decimals and percentages. As the numbers in a a statistical investigation are numbers with context this helps children develop their number sense as they see value in the activities.

Many students do not feel statistically illiterate. ABS (2010), believe some of the reasons children with learning difficulties (ABS, 2010), including not feeling comfortable using statistics, not familiar with the technology or have little confidence in making sense of the numbers.

Check out recent blog on using skittles in statistics

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2013). Statistical Literacy. Retrieved from http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/CaSHome.nsf/Home/Statistical+Literacy+Competencies.es

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2010). What is statistical literacy and why is it important to be statistically literate? [1307.6]. Retrieved from http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/1307.6Feature+Article1Mar+2009