Back to the Future: Rethinking the Purpose and Nature of Statistics Education

Joachim Engel () and Jim Ridgway ()
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Joachim Engel: Ludwigsburg University of Education
Jim Ridgway: University of Durham

Chapter Chapter 2 in Statistics for Empowerment and Social Engagement, 2022, pp 17-36 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract The purpose of this chapter is to explain the concept of Civic Statistics, and to justify its place in modern statistics curricula. Effective citizen engagement with social issues requires active participation and a broad range of skills, including understanding data and statistics relevant to these social issues. We set out 12 characteristics of data about society, mapping out the nature of the information relevant to Civic Statistics that citizens see, read or hear about in public discourses. Many introductory statistics courses fail to prepare students to understand and critically analyse empirical evidence in the public domain. Many courses are not designed to teach relevant skills and improve learners’ statistical literacy, despite the importance of engaging learners and future citizens with data about social issues and their connections to social policy. We also describe and map out some resources and initiatives that will be needed to promote Civic Statistics, such as curriculum maps and educational resources, access to emerging technologies, an evolving body of pedagogic content knowledge, professional development, innovative assessment, cross-curricular initiatives, and collaborations between different stakeholders.

Keywords: History of statistics; Civic Statistics; Statistical literacy; Curriculum; Climate change (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-031-20748-8_2

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-20748-8_2

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