Developing School Students’ Statistical Reasoning 1600-SZD-SPEC-RR-PED
*** Background ***
The expanding role of data in daily life has intensified the need for high-quality statistics education. Statistical reasoning and literacy—understanding data, interpreting graphs and tables, evaluating evidence, and making informed decisions under uncertainty—are now core goals for every learner. Yet teaching and learning statistics remain challenging. New curricula, technology-enhanced environments, and a growing research community are transforming how students engage with statistics and how educators design learning experiences.
***Main Goals***
This seminar examines current research on developing and teaching statistical reasoning, with emphasis on learning processes, instructional practice, assessment, and human-centered and technology-enhanced learning environments. Guiding questions include:
• What are the “big ideas” of statistics?
• What is statistical reasoning, and how does it differ from mathematical reasoning?
• How do students develop statistical reasoning?
• How can technology shape teaching, learning, and assessment?
• What are the implications for teacher preparation, curriculum, and classroom design?
***By the end of the course, students will:***
• Understand key ideas and shifts in statistics education
• Analyze how learners reason with key statistical ideas, such as, data, variability, distribution, and sampling
• Critically read and discuss contemporary research articles
• Explore technology tools for teaching statistics
• Gain familiarity with major approaches to research in statistics education
Learning outcomes
Knowledge | The graduate knows and understands:
WG_01 - to the extent necessary for existing paradigms to be revised - a worldwide body of work, covering theoretical foundations as well as general and selected specific issues - relevant to a particular discipline
within the social sciences
WG_02 - the main development trends in the disciplines of the social sciences in which the education is provided
WG_03 - scientific research methodology in the field of the social sciences
WK_01 - fundamental dilemmas of modern civilisation from the perspective of the social sciences
Skills | The graduate is able to:
UK_05 - speaking a foreign language at B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages using the professional terminology specific to the discipline within the social sciences, to the extent enabling participation in an international scientific and professional environment
Social competences | The graduate is ready to
KO_01 - fulfilling the social obligations of researchers and creators
KO_02 - fulfilling social obligations and taking actions in the public interest, in particular in initiating actions in the public interest
KO_03 - think and acting in an entrepreneurial manner
Assessment criteria
Description of requirements related to participation in classes, including the permitted number of explained absences:
*** Organization of Learning: *** * Classes will be held online via Zoom. The first meeting may be held face-to-face, depending on the instructor’s availability. * Students and the course instructor will function as a learning community, jointly constructing and evaluating knowledge. * The community will make use of the course’s Shared Google Drive site. * Each session’s discussion and activity will be based on reading and discussing of one assigned article, which all members of the community will study in advance, along with a task related to that article. Students who wish to deepen their learning may also read the optional articles listed as “recommended reading.” * During class activities, students will use various data analysis learning tools, such as, TinkerPlots. * Each week students will write in their personal diary in our shared Diaries folder about their experiences during the lesson and any thoughts it provoked, and chat with other community members in their diaries. * The course reading list and each session (including the relevant reading items and additional information) appear on the course website. *** Student Requirements *** * Active participation in every meeting and on the course site. * Prior to each class — read the assigned article thoroughly and take part in the collaborative discussion and task. * Submit a short final task. Additional details about the final task will be provided on the course website.
Principles for passing the classes and the subject (including resit session): ***Assessment*** The final grade in the course will be based on the following components:* 50% Active participation — in-class and online engagement, thorough reading of all assigned materials, completion of ongoing tasks, writing in the personal reflective diary and chat with other community members in their diaries, and contribution to discussions in class and on the course site. * 50% Final task.
Methods for the verification of learning outcomes: Varied methods will be used to verify learning outcomes in the seminar.
Evaluation criteria: Evaluation criteria for the final task will be provided on the course website.
Bibliography
*** Course Content **** The seminar content, literature and the detailed weekly schedule are posted on the course website. Changes may occur during the semester according to the pace of learning and the interests of the students.