With the increasing availability of computers, it is important that the educational community develops data-based computer packages for use in schools. Such packages should be more than data bases, per se. In order for them to be used effectively they should contain ideas for activities that can be integrated into the classroom. Statistics Canada has developed an electronic learning package exclusively for the education market. This electronic learning tool, called E-STAT, is based on Compact Disc Read Only Memory technology (CD-ROM) which allows storage of vast amounts of data. On one CD-ROM disc, E-STAT becomes two of Statistics Canada's most popular CD-ROM products. This report gives an overview of the potential applications of E-STAT to the high school curriculum. It is easy to see that the potential goes beyond the scope of the samples given here. One of the strengths of this tool is its adaptability to the needs and approaches of the individual teacher. The examples illustrate that E-STAT is a valuable computer-aided learning tool to support education as well as a reliable and current reference tool to support research in school resource centers. It has the advantage that the information/data is/are more current and comprehensive than most text books. Furthermore, through periodic updates, the information can be kept current.
The CAUSE Research Group is supported in part by a member initiative grant from the American Statistical Association’s Section on Statistics and Data Science Education