Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Developing Statistical Literacy in Students and Teachers

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Teaching Statistics in School Mathematics-Challenges for Teaching and Teacher Education

Part of the book series: New ICMI Study Series ((NISS,volume 14))

Abstract

While statistical literacy is gaining much more recognition as something that all citizens need in order to function fully in modern society, there is much less agreement as to exactly what is meant by the term. This chapter discusses what statistical literacy is, why it is important for children at school and for teachers, and the need for our understanding to evolve to keep pace with developments worldwide. It explores the potential of new curricula introduced in South Africa and New Zealand, and the work being done in many different countries by statistical agencies to support teachers’ statistical literacy. A case study where naïve students and teachers develop skills by engaging with complex evidence on a topic of real social import is also described.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Arnold, P. (2008). Developing new statistical content knowledge with secondary school mathematics teachers. In C. Batanero, G. Burrill, C. Reading, & A. Rossman (2008).

    Google Scholar 

  • Batanero, C., Burrill, G., Reading, C., & Rossman, A. (Eds.). (2008). Joint ICMI/IASE Study: Teaching Statistics in School Mathematics. Challenges for Teaching and Teacher Education. Proceedings of the ICMI Study 18 and 2008 IASE Round Table Conference. Monterrey, Mexico: International Commission on Mathematical Instruction and International Association for Statistical Education. Online: www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/~iase/publications

  • Batanero, C., Godino, J. D., Vallecillos, A., Green, D., & Holmes, P. (1994). Errors and difficulties in understanding elementary statistical concepts. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 25(4), 527–547.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Biehler, R. (2008). From statistical literacy to fundamental ideas in mathematics: How can we bridge the tension in order to support teachers of statistics. In C. Batanero, G. Burrill, C. Reading, & A. Rossman (2008).

    Google Scholar 

  • Carmichael, C., Callingham, R., Watson, J., & Hay, I. (2009). Factors influencing the development of middle school students’ interest in statistical literacy. Statistics Education Research Journal, 8(1), 62–81. Online: www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/~iase/serj/

    Google Scholar 

  • Chance, B. (2002). Components of statistical thinking and implications for instruction and assessment. Journal of Statistics Education, 10(3), 1–18. Online: www.amstat.org/publications/jse/

    Google Scholar 

  • du Feu, C. (2005). Bluebells and bias, stitchwort and statistics. Teaching Statistics, 27(2), 34–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gal, I. (2002). Adult statistical literacy: Meanings, components, responsibilities. International Statistical Review, 70(1), 1–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gal, I. & Murray S.T. (2011) Diversity in users’ statistical literacy and information needs: Institutional and educational implications. Statistical Journal of the International Association for Official Statistics, 27(3,4), 185–196.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giovannini, E. (2007). Dynamic graphics: Turning key indicators into knowledge. Proceedings of the 56th Session of the International Statistical Institute, Lisbon, Portugal. Voorburg, The Netherlands: International Statistical Institute. Online: www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/~iase/publications

  • Grunewald, W., & Mittag, H. J. (2006). The use of advanced visualisation tools for communicating European data on earnings to the citizen. In A. Rossman & B. Chance (Eds.), Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Teaching Statistics. Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: International Statistical Institute and International Association for Statistical Education. Online: www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/~iase/publications

  • Moore, D. S. (1998). Statistics among the liberal arts. Journal of the American Statistical Association, 93(444), 1253–1259.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nicholson, J., Ridgway, J., & McCusker, S. (2006). Reasoning with data – time for a rethink? Teaching Statistics, 28(1), 2–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nicholson, J., Ridgway, J., & McCusker, S. (2009). One small step for a pupil – one giant leap for citizens. In P. Murphy (Ed.), Proceedings of the International Association for Statistics Education Satellite Conference, Next Steps in Statistics Education. Durban SA: International Association for Statistical Education. Online: www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/~iase/publications

  • North, D., & Scheiber, J. (2008). Introducing statistics at school level in South Africa: The crucial role played by the national statistics office in training in-service teachers. In C. Batanero, G. Burrill, C. Reading, & A. Rossman (2008).

    Google Scholar 

  • North, D., & Zewotir, T. (2006). Introducing statistics at school level in South Africa. In A. Rossman & B. Chance (Eds.), Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Teaching Statistics. Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: International Statistical Institute and International Association for Statistical Education. Online: www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/~iase/publications

  • OECD (2007). Istanbul declaration. Online: www.oecd.org/dataoecd/14/46/38883774.pdf

  • Radermacher, W. (2007). Make sense of the world by having fun with statistics. Proceedings of the International Statistical Institute 56th Session. Lisbon, Portugal: International Statistical Institute. Online: www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/~iase/publications

  • Ridgway, J., McCusker, S., & Nicholson, J. (2006). Reasoning with evidence – Development of a scale. Paper presented at the 32nd Annual Conference of the International Association for Educational Assessment, Singapore. Online: www.iaea2006.seab.gov.sg/

  • Ridgway, J., Nicholson, J. R., & McCusker, S. (2007a). Teaching statistics – despite its applications. Teaching Statistics, 29(2), 44–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ridgway, J., Nicholson, J. R., & McCusker, S. (2007b). Reasoning with evidence – new opportunities for assessment, curriculum and public understanding. Proceedings of the International Statistical Institute 56th Session. Lisbon, Portugal: International Statistical Institute. Online: www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/~iase/publications

  • Ridgway, J., Nicholson, J.R., & McCusker, S. (2008). Reconceptualising ‘statistics’ and ‘education’. In C. Batanero, G. Burrill, C. Reading, & A. Rossman (2008).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez, J. (Ed.). (2008). Government statistical offices and statistical literacy. Los Angeles, CA: International Statistical Literacy Project. Online: www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/~iase/islp/

  • Schield, M. (2000). Statistical literacy: Describing and comparing rates and percentages. Proceedings of the 2000 American Statistical Association Section on Statistical Education (pp. 76–81). Alexandria, VA: American Statistical Association. Online: www.StatLit.org/pdf/2000SchieldASA.pdf

  • Schield, M. (2006). Presenting confounding and standardization graphically. STATS Magazine, Fall 2006. 14–18. Alexandria, VA: American Statistical Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schield, M., & Burnham, T. (2003). Confounder-induced spuriosity and reversal: Algebraic conditions for binary data using a non-interactive model. Proceedings of the 2003 American Statistical Association Section on Statistical Education (pp. 3690–3697). Alexandria, VA: American Statistical Association. Online: www.StatLit.org/pdf/2003SchieldBurnhamASA.pdf

  • Townsend, M. (2007). Statistics Canada’s learning resources: A key channel for educators. Proceedings of the International Statistical Institute 56th Session. Lisbon, Portugal: International Statistical Institute. Online: www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/~iase/publications

  • Wallman, K. K. (1993). Enhancing statistical literacy: Enriching our society. Journal of the American Statistical Society, 88, 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, J. M., & Callingham, R. (2003). Statistical literacy: A complex hierarchical construct. Statistics Education Research Journal, 2(2), 3–46. Online: www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/serj/

    Google Scholar 

  • Wessels, H. (2008). Statistics in the South African school curriculum: Content, assessment and teacher training. In C. Batanero, G. Burrill, C. Reading, & A. Rossman (2008).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. SMART Centre, School of Education, University of Durham, Leazes Road, Durham City, DH1 1TA, UK

    Jim Ridgway, James Nicholson & Sean McCusker

Authors
  1. Jim Ridgway
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. James Nicholson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sean McCusker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jim Ridgway .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Fac. Ciencias de la Educación, Universidad de Granada, Granada, 18071, Spain

    Carmen Batanero

  2. Dept. Counseling,, Educational Psychology &, Michigan State University, Erickson Hall 240, East Lansing, 48824, Michigan, USA

    Gail Burrill

  3. SiMERR National Centre, University of New England, Armidale, 2350, New South Wales, Australia

    Chris Reading

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Ridgway, J., Nicholson, J., McCusker, S. (2011). Developing Statistical Literacy in Students and Teachers. In: Batanero, C., Burrill, G., Reading, C. (eds) Teaching Statistics in School Mathematics-Challenges for Teaching and Teacher Education. New ICMI Study Series, vol 14. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1131-0_30

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation