Data Services and Quantitative Literacy: Two Works-in-Progress Bo Wandschneider and Wendy Watkins OCUL Data Group Toronto December, 2005 4/26/2019 Dino Dec. 2005 - ww/bw

Outline What is Quantitative Literacy? Why Quantitative Literacy? Recent events Promoting Quantitative Literacy What’s happening at Carleton? What’s happening at Guelph? What’s happening where you are? How can we use DINO to promote Quantitative Literacy? 4/26/2019 Dino Dec. 2005 - ww/bw

What is Quantitative Literacy Also known as numeracy The ability to use mathematical reasoning skills to be able to function in everyday life in a modern knowledge based society It is NOT “Calculus” – It is Practical Examples: Determine doseages for babies using weight Make a budget Read a bank statement Determine gas consumption Calculate interest costs on credit card statements I 4/26/2019 Dino Dec. 2005 - ww/bw

Why Quantitative Literacy? “In today’s “world awash in numbers,” strong quantitative reasoning skills are required in: virtually all academic fields most every profession decision-making in everyday life” Corrie Taylor, ICPSR OR meeting, Oct. 2005 According to the IALSS, 12 of 13 provinces and territories score BELOW the MINIMUM for successful day-to-day functioning * *Statistics Canada Daily, Nov. 9, 2005; Globe and Mail, Nov. 10, 2005 4/26/2019 Dino Dec. 2005 - ww/bw

Why Quantitative Literacy? “In fact, the labour market returns to numeracy skills overshadowed the return to education. Hence, if well-educated adults were lacking in numeracy skills, they derived no benefit from any additional years of schooling.” Results of the 2003 IALSS reported in the Statistics Canada Daily, May 11, 2005 4/26/2019 Dino Dec. 2005 - ww/bw

Recent Events Release of IALSS results for Canadian numeracy Publication of special IQ issue on statistical literacy Focus of ICPSR on quantitative literacy Corrie Taylor’s presentation at last OR meeting IASSIST Strategic Plan’s focus on education Integration of Learning Commons into Libraries 4/26/2019 Dino Dec. 2005 - ww/bw

Promoting Quantitative Literacy: Strategies Alert undergraduate classes to data resources Partner with the Learning Commons, IF resources permit Need to be proactive Go to them Stress numeracy as the goal (not producing mathematicians) Use the Training Repository as a resource Begin to collect other resources 4/26/2019 Dino Dec. 2005 - ww/bw

What’s Happening @ Carleton Liaison with Learning Commons Initial meeting Good discussion of areas of mutual interest Combine our expertise with their bodies Expression of interest in developing curricula for: Workshops on data literacy SPSS workshops Introduction to GIS Very favourable report in Library’s Friday memo 4/26/2019 Dino Dec. 2005 - ww/bw

What’s Happening @ Carleton Resources shared: Corrie Taylor’s slides on Quantitative Reasoning (QR) Wellesley’s study package for the QR assessment IQ special issue on statistical literacy Sociometrics Data and Internet Literacy Training Modules Plans Work this term to develop curricula LC staff to provide instructors Workshops to begin Sept. 2006 Hope for an enlightened Provost Added the last point in the faint hope …… ;-) 4/26/2019 Dino Dec. 2005 - ww/bw

What’s Happening @ Guelph? Similar to Carleton Talking to people Sharing resources Searching out people discussing the issues Discussing new College of Management and Economics Provost White Paper on undergraduate learning Can be a slow process – don’t rush it 4/26/2019 Dino Dec. 2005 - ww/bw

What’s Happening @ Guelph? Provost released a White Paper: The Lighting of a Fire: Re-imagining the Undergraduate Learning Experience “…numeracy and the ability to communicate are essential to intellectual development..” “As our students graduate and enter the workplace they will need to have a full understanding and appreciation of the skills they have acquired … these include general skills needed by all graduates, such as literacy and numeracy…” “Identify courses in the existing curriculum that put a premium on the development of students' literacy and numeracy skills.” “Expand the university's support systems for students working to improve their numeracy and writing skills in the Learning Commons.” This is absolutely terrific! Would that we had such leadership! 4/26/2019 Dino Dec. 2005 - ww/bw

What’s Happening @ Guelph? Learning Commons Expand our workshop program in partnership Focus on grads because that is where the emphasis is at the moment One department is surveying students history to correlate to performance in 1st year Calculus comes out as a strong indicator But there is no calculus in this 1st year course There is literature that suggests that calculus is just the proxy for something ‘else’ Statistical Advisory Committee Reps from Colleges Not “biting” 4/26/2019 Dino Dec. 2005 - ww/bw

What’s Happening Where You Are? Discussion 4/26/2019 Dino Dec. 2005 - ww/bw

How can we use DINO to promote Quantitative Literacy? Discussion Is there something we can do collectively? 4/26/2019 Dino Dec. 2005 - ww/bw