5. Context of the data
In statistics, context gives meaning to the statistical representation and the information is interpreted in light of that context. In the same way, in the classroom, context gives meaning to learning helping students to engage with and better understand that which they are studying.
Activty 10
Take some time to look back through this week of the course, what contexts have been used?
Which of these could engage school-age students and why?
Comment
Some contexts used this week:
- Population demographics
- Travel mode to school
- Qualification data
- Pocket money
- Food (school canteen and healthy eating)
If the subject matter interests the students (e.g. pocket money) or is data relevant for them or of interest to them (e.g. population statistics if studying this in geography) then the context can help motivate learners and ease analysis given their knowledge/interest.
This is also the case if data is collected by the students or data where they can see themselves represented (e.g. travel mode to school, meals in the school canteen).