This document discusses how descriptive statistics and technology are widely used in everyday life. It explains that statisticians rely on technology like computers and software to perform data analysis and make decisions. The document advocates for teaching statistics through technology using online research data to engage students and help them see how statistics applies in the real world. It provides several examples of how the internet can be used as a resource for statistical blogs, podcasts, videos, data and analysis to teach students and illustrate the relevance of statistics.

1. Descriptive Statistics
Intended for grades 6-8
By Daniela Maddaloni

2. TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION
• Descriptive statistics is widely applied and is used in
everyday life. Today, statistics and technology go hand-
in-hand. Statisticians rely on technology
(computers, software packages, etc.) to perform data
analysis and decision-making since they ease tedious
computations and graph creations. Therefore, it only
makes sense to teach statistics through technology.
Using up-to-date online research data will enable
students to connect what is learned in class to the
outside world, which increases their motivation to
achieve.
Access using WMV
Access using Flash

3. TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION
CONTINUED
• Today’s advanced and instructional technologies
(software packages, simulations/animations, graphing
calculators, analysis tools, accessible and real-world
data, etc.) allow students to better visualize and
understand statistical concepts and issues.
• Using the Internet to play fun online games and quizzes
keeps students engaged and provides immediate
feedback for their success.
Access using WMV
Access using Flash

4. INTERNET CONTENT
• Countless students often ask their teachers: “Why do
we have to learn this? What’s the point?” Taking
advantage of the ever-advancing internet – writing
blogs, tuning in to podcasts, and watching instructional
videos – provides opportunities for students to witness
how important, useful, and relevant this topic is on a
global level. The internet is a great and priceless
resource for students to access realistic and current
statistical information, and to see for themselves how
the world revolves around statistical research.
• The following three slides provide examples of some
content made available by the Internet.

5. INTERNET BLOGS
(Click on image to view BLOG website)

6. INTERNET PODCASTS
(Click on image to view PODCAST website)

7. INTERNET VIDEOS
(Click on image to view INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO)

8. INTERNET RESOURCES
• The Internet is home to many reliable,
accurate, and up-to-date statistical
information and analysis presented by
various non-profit organizations and
government agencies.
• The following two slides provide some of
these resources.

9. INTERNET RESOURCES
• Khan Academy (CLICK LINK TO ACCESS WEBSITE)
– This non-profit organization provides free online
tutorials and lessons for various topics of
mathematics, history, chemistry, biology,
computer science, and more.
• STATS (CLICK LINK TO ACCESS WEBSITE)
– This organization takes a look at the major issues
and news stories from a statistical point of view.
Viewers can glance at in-depth analysis,
percentages, blogs, various resource links,
articles, and more.

10. MORE INTERNET RESOURCES
• United Nations Statistics Division
(CLICK LINK TO ACCESS WEBSITE)
– This organization’s main functions:
• Gathers, processes, and discloses statistical
information
• Coordinates statistical activities and programming
on an international level
• Standardizes statistical
definitions, classifications, and methods

11. INSPIRATION

12. TEACHING MATERIALS
• I can create my own quizzes. I can assign a practice-
quiz for homework the day before I give my
students a test. http://quizstar.4teachers.org/
(CLICK LINK TO ACCESS WEBSITE)
• My students can practice problems and complete
worksheets. They can also watch video lessons.
http://www.adaptedmind.com/p.php?tagId=1011#
(CLICK LINK TO ACCESS WEBSITE)

13. MORE TEACHING MATERIALS
• I can choose from many diverse and interactive
statistical activities for my students to engage in.
http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/
• I can create custom puzzles for my students to
complete. They can also access worksheets.
http://www.edhelper.com/math.htm
(CLICK LINKS TO ACCESS WEBSITE)

14. SUBJECT-SPECIFIC RESOURCE
• http://www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/toc_vol8
.html (CLICK LINK TO ACCESS WEBSITE)
– This website provides me with sample lesson
plans on
mean, median, mode, range, challenging
exercises, and more.

15. INTERNET USES
• Online Data Sources
– http://www.indiana.edu/~statmath/
• This website makes more than thirty
mathematical and statistical software packages
available. It provides information for each
package as well as tutorials for how to use
them. Moreover, it provides access to free
software consultants.
– http://wps.aw.com/aw_weiss_introstats_8/
• The purpose of this website is to help viewers
better understand statistical concepts by
collaborating and interacting with simulations
and graphical demonstrations, and by analyzing
real data.
(CLICK LINKS TO ACCESS WEBSITES)

16. INTERNET USES CONTINUED
• Online Projects
– http://www.globalschoolnet.org/gsnpr/index.cfm
• This website provides teachers with the tools
that support the constructivist teaching
approach, future thinking strategies, and
project-management standards. Teachers can
browse current and archived projects from the
around the world on countless subjects and
topics.
(CLICK LINKS TO ACCESS WEBSITE)

17. WEB 2.0
(Click on image to view YouTube video)

18. RUBRICS AND ASSESSMENT
• Rubrics are a useful guide to assessing student
achievement and learning.
• http://www.teach-
nology.com/web_tools/rubrics/general/
– This website provides a template for teachers to
produce their own rubrics for any class projects
or assignments. I find this site easy to use
because it outlines the rubric for me and I only
have to fill in the blanks. My students are able to
assess themselves using my carefully-planned
rubric prior to submitting any data using Google
Docs.
(CLICK LINK TO ACCESS WEBSITE)