Standing up to Statistics An online software that addresses misconceptions about statistics by Adam Royalty

Survey Questions Since 1970, the percentage of people ages 18 to 34 who live with their parents has increased 48%, from 12.5 million to 18.6 million Every year since 1974, the number of people in the world who own a computer has doubled

Learning Problem People have misconceptions about statistics

Why does this problem persist? Statistics are generally not taught as an independent subject until college The statistics taught focus on definitions and computations Misconceptions are not dealt with directly

Standing up to Statistics

Online software Targeted at 8th graders Supports typical math/stat curriculum Mainly for use outside class

Standing up to Statistics Modeled off of the 3D environment Second Life Zoo setting Single and Multiplayer scenarios

Standing up to Statistics Student’s character solves problems Problems rely on forming solutions based on statistical modeling Solutions expose statistical misconceptions

Goal Make students critical analyzers of statistics by teaching them to be critical creators of statistics

Lessons Sample size Sample demographics Correlations Validity

Activities Oral interviews Written surveys Observation Exit polling

Lesson 1: Sample Size Help the cafeteria manager Interview people Suggest a course of action Re-examine the original solution Review at the end

Future Using Standing up to Statistics as a tool Lessons downloadable to a cell phone

Thank you Comments?