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Computational modeling and children's expressions of signal and noise
journal contribution
posted on 2017-08-25, 09:03 authored by Janet Ainley, Dave PrattPrevious research has demonstrated how young children can identify the signal in
data. In this exploratory study we considered how they might also express meanings
for noise when creating computational models using recent developments in software
tools. We conducted extended clinical interviews with four groups of 11-year-olds and
analysed the videos of the children’s activity through a process of progressive focusing.
In this paper we explain the design of our tasks and report how the children’s
expressions for noise, supported by the need to communicate with the software,
developed from specific values to verbal expressions of uncertainty such as ‘around’,
to offering ranges of values. We consider the opportunities and constraints of such an
approach, which we call ‘purposeful computational modelling’
Funding
The data presented here are part of the project Children’s interpretation of graphs through active statistical modelling funded by the British Academy (SG112288).
History
Citation
Statistics Education Research Journal, 2017, 16(2), 15-37Author affiliation
/Organisation/COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, ARTS AND HUMANITIES/School of EducationSource
IOE Mathematics Education Special Interest Group SeminarVersion
- AM (Accepted Manuscript)