DIG Stats: Site Overview

About DIG Stats

A DIG Stats Mirror Site exixts on the CVGS Server in case the Virginia Tech CAVE Server is down or connections are slow.

A Data Sets Mirror Site exists on the CVGS Server in case the Virginia Tech CAVE Server is down or connections are slow. Go to the Datamap page to access links to the data sets for each activity.

Comments

Please let us know if you are using DIG Stats. Send your comments to the DIG Stats team. Check out the comments we have won so far.

DIG Stats is a WWW resource for integrating statistics and data visualization into mathematics and science courses in secondary schools, community colleges and undergraduate programs. Modules cover concepts from descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, two dimensional graphical analysis and three dimensional data visualization.

The idea for DIG Stats was generated from the desire of Central Virginia Governor's School faculty members Tom Morgan and Steve Howard, to do two things; teach statistics without using simple canned data sets and integrate data visualization activities into the school curriculum. The two goals were being pursued independently. However, in learning about data visualization with Ron Kriz, the Director of the Virginia Tech Data Visualization Lab, we all came to the conclusion that there was a natural progression in terms of data analysis from simple descriptive and inferential statistics and two dimensional graphical analysis to three dimensional data visualization. Hence, DIG Stats includes activities for students to explore and analyze real world data sets in four ways using:

descriptive and inferential statistical tools.
2-D graphs with one independent and one dependent variable.
3-D graphs with two independent and one dependent variable.
data visualization techniques with three independent and one dependent variable.

DIG Stats is not a comprehensive WWW site for teaching statistics and data visualization. Rather, it is a resource site providing activities that conceptually introduce students to statistical and graphical analysis techniques. Technology is used to do the mathematical calculations so students can focus on interpreting the results and developing a conceptual understanding of the statistical and graphical techniques. Hopefully, this pedagogical approach will prepare students for subsequent courses that incorporate theory and mathematical calculations. Also, it is anticipated that this approach will allow a much broader range of students exposure to statistical and graphical analysis since the activities can be incorporated into general classes rather then being confined to only advanced classes. We have developed a page for teachers and students who want to incorporate DIG Stats activities into general classes. To go there, click on the hyperlink.

Goal

To develop WWW modules that integrate statistics and graphical analysis into existing 9-14 mathematics and science curriculums.

Module Design

Modules are designed to be integrated into existing courses. Design criteria include:

covering a wide range of statistical and graphical concepts to ensure content is available for ninth graders as well as advanced high school seniors or college freshman and sophomores.
developing integrated modules where students work with real world data sets from a variety of scientific disciplines.
engaging students in an active hands-on problem solving learning environment.

Data Sets

Data sets used in the module were secured from a variety of resources including WWW databases, university and government researchers and from student research projects.

Resources Required

To work with DIG Stats modules, students need access to the World Wide Web and the software listed below.

A WWW browser like Netscape Navigator/Communicator or MS Internet Explorer.
Microsoft Excel or the TI-83 Graphing Calculators- all modules use the statistical and data analysis functions in Excel or the TI-83. The data sets are available in Excel 4.0 file format and in text file format; guides are formatted for using both Excel and the TI-83. Schools with other statistical packages can use the activities if guidelines for using the packages are provided to the students.

Invitation to Participate

DIG Stats is only in the beginning phases of development. We invite teachers and professors to submit data sets with lesson plans that could be developed into modules focusing on statistics, 2-D or 3-D graphs or data visualization. We are particularly interested in "dirty data sets"; ones that may be misleading on first analysis or ones that make students realize that answering a research question based on a simple descriptive analysis may lead to the wrong conclusion or ones that require the elimination of several data points before the correct analysis can be done. Also, we are very interested in obtaining data sets that fill a 3-D space and would be appropriate for data visualization activities.

This page is being developed and we welcome your participation! Do you have an idea for an activity? Do you have data sets from different disciplines that would offer a unique statistical analysis? Have you identified some errors? Do you have suggestions for improvements? Please send us your comments to DIG Stats.