Fundamental Topics in Science © 2001 Texas Instruments Teacher Notes 5-7
5: Data & Graphs Teacher Notes
Objectives
Upon completion of this section, students should be able to:
•
Enter one or more related sets of data into tables or lists.
•
Plot and interpret sets of data using one or more plot types (scatter plot, xy-line, histogram,
modified box plot).
•
Recognize common mathematical functions that model patterns in plotted data.
•
Perform basic statistical analysis methods to help interpret data sets.
Relevant National Science Education Standards
From Science as Inquiry—Content Standard A:
Design and Conduct Scientific Investigations. The investigation may also require . . . student
organization and display of data. . .
Use Technology and Mathematics to Improve Investigations and Communications. A variety of
technologies, such as hand tools, measuring instruments, and calculators, should be an integral
component of scientific investigations. For example, . . . charts and graphs are used for communicating
results.
Communicate and Defend a Scientific Argument. Students in school science programs should
develop the abilities associated with accurate and effective communication. These include . . .
summarizing data, using language appropriately, developing diagrams and charts, explaining
statistical analysis . . .
Common Student Errors
When entering data into tables or lists, students do not maintain one-to-one correspondence
among related data. This results in an
ERR:DIM MISMATCH
when the student attempts to display
a
Scatter
(
) plot or an
xyLine
(
µ
) plot using lists of different dimensions (length, number of
elements).
Students need to review basic graphing skills periodically. The activity
ABC’S OF XY-GRAPHS
is
especially helpful.
Students have trouble identifying trends in data and correlating such trends to mathematical
functions. Several of the most common function types are represented in
CONCEPTS
. The
NAME
THAT FUNCTION
activity helps check and reinforce their ability to recognize the common
function types.
Using the Fundamental Topics in Science Application
To begin the application, press
9
, select
FunSci
, and press any key. The displayed Table of
Contents page shows the last place the student was in
FUNDAMENTAL TOPICS
or
SCIENCE
TOOLS
. The student may need to press
Ã
UP
Ä
one or more times to go to the Science Chapters
Table of Contents and then select
1:FUNDAMENTAL TOPICS
,
5:DATA & GRAPHS
,
1:INTRODUCTION
to begin. You may need to tell students how to navigate the application, if they are not yet
familiar with it, or print Navigating Fundamental Topics in Science on pages viii–x of the
Introduction.
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