ABOUT THIS COURSE

Statistical reasoning and thinking is becoming an increasingly important aspect of academic study and to be able to engage in public life! To meet his demand more and more schools and colleges are looking at offering A level Statistics. This is a comprehensive course to support existing, new or prospective teachers of A level Statistics. This course is also useful for non specialists interested in broadening their understanding of A level Statistics. The sessions are workshop based with opportunities to ask questions and engage in discussions.

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

  • Gain understanding of the content of A Level Statistics
  • Appreciate the purpose of A Level Statistics and how it supports other subjects and career paths
  • Examine the difference between the current A Level Statistics, legacy qualifications in Statistics and A Level Mathematics/Further Mathematics
  • Obtain strategies on how to teach the “Technology” aspect of the course
  • Tips, advice and lesson ideas for how to integrate understanding of the Statistical Enquiry (or Data) Cycle into lessons.
  • Obtain strategies for collecting and using contemporary and topical real-world data in lessons
COURSE DATE Online| Wednesday 11 /18 /25  November and 02 December 2020
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? 
  • New Teachers of Statistics
  • Current Teachers of Statistics
  • Teachers of Mathematics who are thinking of teaching Statistics
  • Teachers of Biology, Geography, Geology, Psychology, Sports Science etc. who are interested in the overlap with their subjects
  • Heads of Department considering running Statistics
COURSE CODE  8330
IN-SCHOOL You can also book this as an In-School Course
INCLUDED
  • A specially prepared folder of detailed notes, practical advice and guidance
  • Notes prepared by the educational experts leading the course
  • Expert produced PowerPoint presentations
  • CPD Certificate of attendance

 

Session 1 – 11th November 2020

4.30 – 6.00 pm: The Statistical mindset and the Aims of the course

For a brand new teacher who has never learnt how to teach mathematics before, it is actually quite easy.  For an experienced teacher who has developed ways to teach to mathematicians, it can be quite difficult!  The main thing to remember is that the course is not aimed at “mathematics students”, but rather students of statistical related subjects such as Biology, Psychology, Geography, Geology, Sports Science, Sociology, Criminology etc.  Some of these students may study mathematics, but the statistical way of thinking is lacking in the A Level Mathematics curriculum.  This session focuses on the following points

  • The main differences between the style of teaching between A Level Mathematics/Further Mathematics and A Level Statistics
  • The overlap between A Level Statistics and other A levels with a statistical component
  • The Statistical Enquiry Cycle / Data Cycle and it’s fundamental embedding throughout the course
  • An overview of the use of technology
  • Suggestions on how to teach research and analysis methods effectively, e.g. case studies, historic and contemporary data sources, research projects

Session 2 – 18th November 2020

4.30 – 6.00 pm: The Content of A Level Statistics

Arguably the easiest part of the course to teach is the content.  If you have taught the Statistics portion of A Level Mathematics, Further Mathematics or the legacy Statistics qualifications, then you will already be familiar with the content. This session focuses on

  • The main differences between the content in both A Level Mathematics/Further Mathematics and A Level Statistics
  • Probability Distributions (Binomial, Poisson, Normal, Exponential, Continuous Uniform, General Discrete Random Variables)
  • Data Processing (Numerical Measures, Bivariate Data, Representation and Interpretation)
  • Experimental Design (inc. Sampling methods)
  • Estimation (Point and set estimation, inc. Sampling Distribution of the mean and Central Limit Theorem)
  • Inferential Statistics (inc. Effect Size)
  • Probability Theory

Session 3 – 25th November 2020

4.30 – 6.00 pm: The Use of Technology

As time has progressed, so has the size of data and the technology used in its analysis.  It is important for the effective Statistics teacher to be able to have a modicum of understanding of such software used in the real world.  Instead of focussing on Calculators (which are rarely used “in the field”), we will focus on computational software and how this may be assessed in the exam.  This session will look at

  • Spreadsheets
  • Databases
  • A basic understanding of SQL
  • Other statistical software packages
  • How these software may appear in an exam
  • How to utilise these software in the classroom

Also, any content that couldn’t fit into Session 2!

Session 4 – 2nd December 2020

4.30 – 6.00 pm: The Application of Statistics

The hardest part for any student (and dare I say, teacher), is to find a reason to apply these skills in day-to-day life. This session focuses on

  • Finding and adapting data sources
  • Writing relevant, realistic and relatable questions
  • Embedding software and technology, and getting students to learn software and technology
  • Using plotting software to represent data
  • Any further questions neglected to be mentioned

Dr. Ali Everett

Dr. Ali Everett has been involved in the development of the current A Level in Statistics since Pearson EdExcel picked up the qualification.  He wrote the Pearson EdExcel Scheme of Work for the qualification and has been actively involved with the A Level Statistics Network, supporting teachers and educators of A Level Statistics. Ali has also written several of the practice papers released by Pearson EdExcel.  A pure mathematician by nature, he has taught himself the majority of Statistics from a pure mathematics perspective, but with many contacts in the realms of science and social science has gained an appreciation of how Statistics is applied outside of the mathematical scene.