Improving Understanding & Instruction of Probability & Statistics for Middle School Teachers

Time: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM ET

Location: Dreher High School, 3319 Millwood Ave., Columbia, SC 29205

Description: The goals for the workshop are to: (1) enhance middle and high school teachers' content knowledge related to key concepts and ideas in statistics; (2) give teachers background on statistical concepts and their relationship to South Carolina (Columbia) State Standards; (3) model for teachers sample problems dealing with the concept of the describing and comparing distributions with a specific emphasis on measures of center (mean and median) and variability (interquartile range and Mean Absolute Deviation) and provide interactive activities on these concepts; (4) model for teachers sample problems dealing with the role of randomness in the interpretation of results and provide interactive activities on these ideas; (5) provide teachers with sample student assessment items and how these items stem from and are in the spirit of relevant standards and provide interactive activities on assessment topics; (6) provide teachers with a listing of resources supported by the What Works Clearinghouse, the American Statistical Association, and the National Council for the Teachers of Mathematics; and, (7) provide opportunities for participants to ask clarifying questions.

Audience: The primary participants for this event include middle school teachers with responsibility for instruction of statistics and probability. Additionally, school administrators and district-level mathematics coordinators will attend.

Speakers: Tim Jacobbe Associate Professor of Mathematics & Statistics Education University of Florida