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Statistical Problem Posing, Problem Refining, and Further Reflection in Grade 6

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Abstract

This report is based on an activity completed by 89 Grade 6 students carrying out a statistical investigation with a focus on posing an initial question given a context and then refining it for a chosen data set. Having reached a conclusion based on evidence from their data analysis, students were given additional information on the context and asked to reconsider their conclusions and degree of certainty associated with them. Data from student workbooks were used to assess students’capacity to engage in the extensions of a statistical investigation not usually encountered at the school level. Results showed approximately 70% of students were able to carry out the complete investigation and justify a meaningful decision.

Résumé

Ce rapport rend compte d’une activité à laquelle ont participé 89 élèves de 6e année. Les élèves ont mené une enquěte statistique centrée sur la formulation d’une question initiale dans un certain contexte, et ont ensuite raffiné la question pour l’adapter à une série de données en particulier. Après avoir tiré une conclusion fondée sur les résultats de leur analyse des données, les étudiants ont eu des informations supplémentaires sur le contexte et reçu la consigne de réévaluer leurs conclusions ainsi que leur degré de certitude au sujet de ces conclusions. Les données provenant de leurs cahiers ont servi de point de départ pour évaluer la capacité des étudiants à se lancer dans un niveau d’enquěte statistique qu’on ne rencontre pas habituellement à ce niveau scolaire. Les résultats montrent qu’environ 70% des étudiants ont été en mesure de compléter l’enquěte et de justifier une décision significative.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 66, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia

    Jane M. Watson

  2. Faculty of Education, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia

    Lyn D. English

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  1. Jane M. Watson
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  2. Lyn D. English
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Watson, J.M., English, L.D. Statistical Problem Posing, Problem Refining, and Further Reflection in Grade 6. Can. J. Sci. Math. Techn. Educ. 17, 347–365 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1080/14926156.2017.1380867

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