A Learning Activity is a strategy a teacher chooses to actively
engage students in learning a concept or skill using a digital tool/resource.
You may save this Learning Activity to your hard drive as an .html file by
selecting “File”,then “Save As” from your browser’s
pull down menu. The file name extension must be .html.
Phase:
During/Explore/Explain
Activity:
Students will need to be shown how to calculate the standard deviation using whichever piece of technology they are allowed to use.
Show students how to calculate the standard deviation with the calculator, but pose the following question to students first: “Why do we need to find the absolute values of the differences between the mean and each data entry?” (Students should have experienced or should experience with the data in the activity that the sum of these differences is always one.)
Assign groups a certain data set (A, B, C, or D) from the activity on page 1 and have them work problems 1-3 with their group.
Pose all groups this question, “How can we ensure that the sum of the differences doesn’t sum to zero?” (Students will likely not immediately offer the suggestion of squaring the difference.)
After students offer suggestions to the question, have the students calculate the average square difference.
Finally, ask them: “Does the average square distance really tell you a lot about how different the data is from the mean? (No) What could we do to make this more meaningful?”
Have students square root this sum squared difference and compare it with their values calculated with technology.
Next, have students work on the second page of activity problems 4-7. Students will be required to connect their ideas with boxplots and histograms.
As an exit ticket, have students enter the data from problem 7 in their calculator and record the standard deviations in question 8.
Assessment Strategies:
The students' responses during class discussions and small group interactions will be assessed as formative assessment.
Advanced Preparation:
The teacher should review the Measuring Spread Worksheet and randomly assign groups, ensuring that at least one member understands deviations.
The teacher should remind the students they are finding the similarities and differences in 4 data sets. However, let them discover that the sets have the same mean but different ranges and standard deviations. Guide the discussion to the point of understanding that the standard deviation increases when points are further away from the mean, even those in the middle.
Variation Tips (optional):
If students are experiencing difficulties, you may consider small group time with the teacher or assign a peer buddy.
Model and demonstrate during whole group instruction during the review phase as needed.
Notes or Recommendations (optional):
The teacher should note during the Measuring Spread activity, students find the similarities and differences in 4 data sets. These sets have the same mean but different ranges and standard deviations. The point of the activity is for students to understand that the standard deviation increases when points are further away from the mean, even those in the middle.
This activity could be used as a stand-alone activity or in connection with the following activities: