International Statistical Literacy Project Improving Statistical Literacy by
International Statistical Literacy Project Improving Statistical Literacy by National and International Cooperation
International Statistical Literacy Project Key points • Advancing the use of statistical data as the base for various projects • Arenas of data use – attention to different users and user groups • Learning from the practices of others – cooperation projects – how to combine competence resources – best practices – models for product development • Conclusions Reija Helenius 2
International Statistical Literacy Project Why is statistical literacy needed? • Statistical literacy is the ability to read and interpret summary statistics in the everyday media: in graphs, tables, statements, surveys and studies. Statistical literacy is needed by data consumers (Milo Schield). Reija Helenius 3
International Statistical Literacy Project The strategic objective of a national statistical agency is to advance the use of statistics • Statistics find and increase their meaning through their use – Only when used is information useful • The existence and reliability of a statistical agency is based on users' willingness and need to use statistics – Different users have different needs and skills in acquiring and understanding statistical data – Segmented services will be more and more in focus – Services supporting the use of statistics are increasingly important Reija Helenius 4
International Statistical Literacy Project ISLP around the world • The mission of the International Statistical Literacy Project (ISLP) is to support, create and participate in statistical literacy activities and promotion around the world • The main aim will be contributing to statistical literacy across the world, among young and adults, in all phases of life • Another aim is to bring together different actors: producers of statistics, statisticians, users Reija Helenius 5
International Statistical Literacy Project Arenas of data use I Reija Helenius 6
International Statistical Literacy Project Model: Arenas of the publicity of science Scientific community Professions Public administration Education Science Politics Culture Civic society Commercial markets Source: Väliverronen (2003) Reija Helenius 7
International Statistical Literacy Project Example on segmenting users at the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) • School Students (both primary and secondary) • Tertiary Students (including university and vocational education students and teachers/lecturers) • Opinion Leaders (including journalists) • Decision Makers (including politicians, political advisors and government employees) • General Community (including small business/community groups) Reija Helenius 8
International Statistical Literacy Project Example on segmenting users at the ABS • Data needs and skill levels of segments presented on a three-step scale – Basic literacy – Intermediate literacy – Advanced literacy • One segment can have users from different levels => attention to this in product development Reija Helenius 9
International Statistical Literacy Project Bringing forth strategic groups: Statistics Finland • Creation of a stakeholder policy to steer activity • Checking the focuses of stakeholders and customer work at certain intervals • At the core of activities in 2010: – Research institutes and development of researcher services • Targets for segmented activity: – Educational institutions – The media – Enterprises Reija Helenius 10
International Statistical Literacy Project ISLP – models for increasing the use of statistical data • Aims to: – Pay attention to different target groups – Develop various activities – Use different media (technical, social) – Organise activity and apply models globally together with national ISLP coordinators Reija Helenius 11
International Statistical Literacy Project ISLP – target groups for advancing the use of statistics Scientific community? ? Educational instutions Professions? ? Public administration ? ? Statistial Literacy Decision makers? ? Media Libraries Citizens Reija Helenius 12
International Statistical Literacy Project Cooperation projects – combining resources and competence I Reija Helenius S 13
International Statistical Literacy Project Census. At. School • Aims to – Encourage children to get involved with data handling and learn statistical skills – Provide real data for data handling activities – Increase awareness of national censuses – Show information and communication technology (ICT) can be used effectively to enhance teaching and learning especially in the area of data handling • Running in the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Canada, New Zealand Australia Reija Helenius 14
International Statistical Literacy Project CAUSEweb. org • CAUSE is a national organisation whose mission is to support and advance undergraduate statistics education in four target areas: resources, professional development, outreach and research • Resources listed by material type – Goal: collect, review, develop, and disseminate resources for members of the undergraduate statistics education community Reija Helenius 15
International Statistical Literacy Project CAUSEweb. org Lecture Examples: Lesson modules for lecturers Laboratories: Computer and hands-on activities Out-of-class: Homework, projects, and distance learning materials Teaching Methods: Classroom pedagogy and logistics Datasets: Data and how to use it Analysis Tools: Software and on-line tools Curriculum: Syllabus issues and sources of statistics conten. Fun: Cartoons, statistical art, jokes, poems, word puzzles, quotes, songs, and videos for instructional use • Building Blocks: Unattached components for modular use • Multimedia: Video, sound, and animations • Advising: careers, graduate schools, opportunities for students • • Reija Helenius 16
International Statistical Literacy Project www. statlit. org • The site aims to: – Present statistical literacy as an interdisciplinary activity – Feature books, papers and activities related to statistical literacy – taken broadly from a variety of disciplines – Present statistical literacy as useful in everyday arguments Reija Helenius 17
International Statistical Literacy Project e. Course in Statistics • A joint project between the National Statistics Office of Malte, University of Hagen (Germany) and Statistics Finland • Further developed on the basis of Statistics Finland´s e-learning materials • Target group: young adults • Examples from the EU area aiming at extensive use of the service in different countries • New cooperation partners/actors wanted to develop the service Reija Helenius 18
International Statistical Literacy Project e. Course in Statistics http: //www. fernuni-hagen. de/statliteracy/ Reija Helenius 19
International Statistical Literacy Project ISLP – Statistical Literacy Competitions • Objectives – To advance the understanding and use of statistics in educational institutions – To create networks between teaching of statistical science, national statistical agencies and educational institutions – To use the competition format all over the world – The next competition to be launched in September 2010. Further information at the ISLP site. Reija Helenius 20
International Statistical Literacy Project Examples of best practices – models for product development I L Reija Helenius S 21
International Statistical Literacy Project Serving the media in a user-friendly way: as an example Statistics Canada • Offering different service modes for the same target group – Media Hotline – ad hoc service for the media – Media Room – Internet site directed to the media – The Daily – release bulletin – Training – Assistance in story contents and news making Reija Helenius 22
International Statistical Literacy Project Content development of the web service together with educational institution users: as an example Alea • Aims at providing both teachers and students of secondary education with teaching materials for the study of statistics • A joint idea of Statistics Portugal and Tomaz Pelayo Secondary School, bringing together The Portuguese Ministry of Education, through its Northern Regional Education Department (DREN). • A good example of networking with key interest groups • Ensures that the contents of the service meets the needs of users Reija Helenius 23
International Statistical Literacy Project Opening of statistics to data users: as an example Understanding of Statistics Reija Helenius 24
International Statistical Literacy Project Conclusions P I L Reija Helenius S 25
International Statistical Literacy Project Conclusions • What is statistics for? – Citizen’s right to understand use the information produced by society is the basis of a democratic society – Anybody can be a user of statistics - from random users to major users – Impartial and easy availability of statistical data for all subsections of society Reija Helenius 26
International Statistical Literacy Project Conclusions • Development of services in cooperation with interest group representatives – Charting of data needs – Developing products on that basis • Timeliness, clearness, understandability • Data produced in the form agreed, usefulness of expertise to customers • Production of services in cooperation with statistical experts in the field – Networking – Sharing of competence and resources Reija Helenius 27
International Statistical Literacy Project Conclusions • Increasing cooperation to enhance statistical literacy and user skills Statisticians National statistical agencies Statistical societies Users International organisations Reija Helenius 28
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