Data Analysis and Number and Operations and Algebra: Analyzing and summarizing data sets.

As reflected in this set of resources, the emphasis here is on understanding descriptive statistics; in particular, measures of center. You will find tutorials, lesson ideas, problems, and applets for teaching these topics, and even full projects that can involve your middle school students in worldwide data collection.

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Describing Data Using Statistics http://www.explorelearning.com/index.cfm?method=cResource.dspDetail&ResourceID=100

Investigate the mean, median, mode, and range of a data set through its graph. Manipulate the data and watch how these statistics change (or, in some cases, how they don't change). MSP full record

Understanding Averages http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/numbers/handlingdata/numericalanalysis/mean/

Written for the student, this tutorial on mean, median, and mode includes fact sheets on the most basic concepts, plus practice sheets and a quiz. Key ideas are clearly defined at the student level through graphics as well as text. (From Numbers : Handling data — MSP full record)

Plop It! http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/plop/index.html

Users click to easily and quickly build dot plots of data and view how the mean, median, and mode change as numbers are added to the plot. An efficient tool for viewing these statistics visually. MSP full record

Working hours : how much time do teens spend on the job? http://www.figurethis.org/challenges/c48/challenge.htm

This activity challenges students to interpret a bar graph, showing only percentages, to determine the mean number of hours teenagers work per week. A more complicated and interesting problem than it may seem at first glance! A hint suggests that students assume that 100 students participated in the survey; a full solution sets out the math in detail. Related questions ask students to calculate averages for additional data sets. MSP full record

Stem-and-Leaf Plotter http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/stemleaf/index.html

Can your students find the mean, median, and mode from a stem-and-leaf plot? They can use this applet to explore the measures of center in relation to the stem-and-leaf presentation of data. Students use the online plotter to enter as much data as they choose; then they determine measures of center and have the program check and correct their values. Ideas for class practice and discussion are provided in a lesson outline. MSP full record

Train race http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/mathsfile/shockwave/games/train.html

In this interactive game, students compute the mean, median, and range of the running times of four trains, then select the one train that will get to the destination on time. Players extend their basic understanding of these statistics as they try to find the most reliable train for the trip. Students can select one of three levels of difficulty. There are tips for students as well as a full explanation of the key instructional ideas underlying the game. MSP full record

Comparing Properties of the Mean and the Median Through the Use of Technology http://standards.nctm.org/document/eexamples/chap6/6.6/index.htm

This interactive tool allows students to compare measures of central tendency. As students change one or more of the seven data points, the effects on the mean and median are immediately displayed. Questions challenge students to explore further the use of these measures of center; for example, What happens if you pull some of the data values way off to one extreme or the other extreme? MSP full record

The Global Sun Temperature Project http://www.ciese.org/curriculum/tempproj3/en/index.shtml

This web site allows students from around the world to work together to determine how average daily temperatures and hours of sunlight change with distance from the equator. Students can participate in the project each spring, April-June. Students learn to collect, organize, and interpret data. You will find project information, lesson plans, and implementation assistance at the site. MSP full record

Down the Drain: How Much Water Do You Use? http://www.k12science.org/curriculum/drainproj/

This Internet-based collaborative project will allow students to share information about water usage with other students from around the country and the world. Based on data collected by their household members and their classmates, students will determine the average amount of water used by one person in a day. Students must develop a hypothesis, conduct an experiment, and present their results. MSP full record

Data analysis : as real world as it gets http://msteacher.org/epubs/math/math3/math.aspx

Resources that firmly place data analysis in context! The lessons and interdisciplinary projects were selected to promote student interest by focusing on real-world situations and developing skills for using the power of mathematics to form important conclusions relevant to life. Students learn that working with data offers insights into society’s problems and issues. MSP full record

NCTM. (2006). Curriculum Focal Points for Kindergarten Through Grade 8 Mathematics: A Quest for Coherence. Reston, VA: Author

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Copyright May 2008 — The Ohio State University. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0424671. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.