Using Statistics in Education
Statistics are sets of facts presented as figures or percentages that can be used as information in themselves or as a basis for analysis and/or comparison. Statistics are fundamental to understanding the scale of certain issues and also giving them a sense of proportion. They can assist us in our analysis of a particular issue at a given time and can also be used to compare things and make assessments.
Statistics can provide factual information on which interpretations and analysis can be based. Finding, compiling and interpreting statistics is also an important aspect of any study or investigation.
- Statistics can be both simple and complex. Initially students need to be facilitated in their interpretation through set tasks or questions. This is to ensure that they are reading the information correctly and that they are in a position to analyse and interpret this information critically. The sourcing of statistics is another important skill for students. They should be encouraged to examine a range of sources and be critical in their analysis.
- It can be useful to use and interpret two sets of statistics or charts and compare the information given on each and/or how they relate to each other and/or to something else they have read or studied.
- Students should be encouraged to use statistics in presenting arguments and debates about particular issues.
- There are a wealth of statistics that present issues from a global perspective. Students can quickly develop a sense of the scale of a problem or issue and more importantly key trends or patterns. Sourcing, reading, understanding and interpreting statistics of this kind can help students in developing a true sense of global literacy as well as challenging many of their perceptions of global issues and trends.
- Statistics appear in most geographical source materials. Being able to read and interpret statistics are essential to understanding and analysing information on maps, analysing case studies and reports etc. Students need statistical skills to understand much of the information they encounter.
The statistics presented throughout can be used in many of the ways described above.
For a range of useful and challenging statistics on development and human rights, visit the following websites:
- http://www.hri.ca - the human rights internet site
- http://www.envirolink.org - for information on environmental issues
- http://www.africanews.org - for information on Africa
- http://www.undp.org/undp/hdro - the office of the Human Development Report
A sample statistical activity - World Wealth and World Poverty
- In pairs get the students to identify the countries or regions that have the highest or lowest rates of poverty. Ask them to identify some of the problems that might arise from this situation - health, education or gender issues for example.
- What issues might be important in contributing to the growth or reduction in world poverty in different regions.
- In small groups ask the students to select one country or region and explore the details on poverty and wealth in that area through using the statistics available at the UNDP's website related to the Human Development Report - http://hdr.undp.org/
Similar activities can be designed to explore other issues highlighted statistically in sections of the The World We're In with their accompanying websites e.g. on population, on health etc.