use of tinkerplots and fathom in math, statistics, and ... · tinkerplots fathom is widely used in...
TRANSCRIPT
Use of TinkerPlots and Fathom in Math, Statistics, and Science
Education—Concept and Curriculum
William Finzer, Senior ScientistKCP Technologies, Emeryville, CA, USA
‣fath•om — (n) a unit of measure; (v) understand; measure the depth of‣tin•ker — (v) attempt to repair or improve
something
Why this workshop?
Our global civilization now rests on a vast foundation of data.Japanese K–12 education has embraced data analysis and statistics.Learning about data without using technology is fruitless.
Timeline
1990’sNational Science Foundation funds development of Fathom and TinkerPlotsNCTM standards emphasize data analysisEmergence of Advanced Placement (AP) Statistics at secondary level
Current Status~5000 secondary schools using Fathom~1000 middle schools using TinkerPlotsBoth Fathom and TinkerPlots are widely used in math ed coursesFathom is widely used for introductory statistics, including UCLA and University of Minnesota.>12 curriculum modules and textbooks based on Fathom and TinkerPlotsTeaching Statistics with Fathom online course—teachers get UC Berkeley creditMany schools use Fathom or TinkerPlots to analyze school data
Current Status continued
Ontario, Canada has a provincial license for Fathom and TinkerPlotsFathom is widely used in Denmark and GermanyAustralian Statistics Bureau has proposal for national licensesLocalizations for Fathom exist in French, Danish, German, and SpanishNew funding from the National Science Foundation—Data GamesSignificant statistics education research has been done with both Fathom and TinkerPlots
Conceptual Underpinnings of TinkerPlots
Mimic offline practiceBuild visualizations from primitive operationsSupport learner propensitiesAnimate transitionsMake data analysis enjoyable
Conceptual Underpinnings of Fathom
Dynamic manipulationEmphasis on conceptual understandingCentral role of algebraic expressionsSimulation as key to understanding statistical inferenceEasy access to a very wide range of kinds of data
Data Access in Fathom and TinkerPlots
Sample documentsEnter by handWeb page importCopy and paste from other softwareFathom SurveysSimulationVernier probes
Demos
A Statistics Lesson—The essence of statistical inference (grades 11–14)A Math Lesson—A probability simulation (grades 6–8)A Math Lesson—Area and perimeter of rectangles (grades 8–10)A Science Lesson—Cooling (high school)
Japan’s Opportunities—Brainstorming
Leap ahead of the rest of the world by building appropriate use of technology into statistics education practice from the beginning.