This paper is from Session 8J: Research on technology in statistics education

which comes under Topic 8: Research in statistics education

Comparing groups by using TinkerPlots as part of a data analysis task — tertiary students’ strategies and difficulties

Presenter

• Daniel Frischemeier (University of Paderborn, Germany)

Abstract

The comparison of distributions of numerical variables is a fundamental idea in descriptive statistics. Preferably those processes are to be embedded in a data analysis-cycle. This emphasizes working with real and multivariate data and generating interesting statistical hypotheses. In the context of preservice teacher education, we designed an experimental course comprising 15 sessions on data analysis with TinkerPlots (Konold & Miller, 2011) in which Group comparisons played a fundamental role. After the course we have conducted a video study where we observed the participants while comparing groups with TinkerPlots. In the paper we will focus on several steps and the frequency of their occurrence, which can be identified when learners do group comparisons facilitated by software.