1A: An Activity for Students, Professional Learning for Teachers, and Measuring Statistical Literacy

Abstract

The aim of the session it to provide three different perspectives on statistics education at school. First, we will replicate an activity carried out with Grade 6 students, testing a claim made in the media that brown-eyed people have faster reaction times than people with eyes of other colors. Second, we will participate in a session planned for middle school teachers focusing on the three Big Ideas of Variation, Expectation, and Distribution, in the context of "the weather" (in Australia!!). Third, we will consider the issue of using genuine social contexts, perhaps controversial, in student surveys of statistical literacy. At least one example will be given. There is likely to be audience debate, at least on the third part.