Author

Jennifer Mills - SRSB

Title

Exploring Data Management with Fathom

Grade Level

Math 10 Plus

Subject Area

Data Management

Overview of unit/lessons/activities (assumptions of prior knowledge/learning)

This lesson is meant to enhance the graphing sections in Chapter 1: Data Management.

Students should complete section 1.3 before beginning Activity 1.
Students should complete section 1.4 before beginning Activity 2.
Students should complete section 1.6 before beginning Activity 3.

The first part of this lesson gives students three activities, with step-by-step instructions for completing them with Fathom. Each activity uses data from the textbook – Mathematical Modeling Book 1.

• Activity 1: Analyze Data Using Histogram and Box and Whisker Plots
• Activity 2: Create a Summary Table
• Activity 3: Create a Scatterplot and Line of Best Fit

Upon completion of these activities, students should be able to work independently with Fathom to create graphs and analyze statistics.

End of Chapter Final Project:
Complete Case Study 1 on page 45 using Fathom. Make the following adjustments to the project:

1. Create histograms for both groups
2. Create box and whisker plots for both groups
3. Create a summary table for both groups

Using the graphs and summary produced in this case study, students must justify which program was more effective. They should include a written report of their conclusions with the data files.

Correlations to ICT and curriculum outcomes

ICT Outcomes:

PTS 12.5     create electronic charts, tables and graphs; and design, create, and manipulate spreadsheets and databases, as part of the process of collecting, analyzing, and displaying data independently.
RPSD 12.1      select appropriate devices and software to collect data, solve problems and note patterns; to make logical decisions and draw conclusions; and to present results, with general supervision

Math 10 Plus Outcomes:
C3:     gather data, plot the data using appropriate scales, and demonstrate an understanding of independent and dependent variables, domain, and range
C4:     create and analyze plots using appropriate technology
C17:     solve problems using graphing technology.
F4:     calculate various statistics using appropriate technology, analyze and interpret the displays, and describe the relationships
F5:     analyze statistical summaries, draw conclusions, and communicate results about distributions of data
F9:     demonstrate an intuitive understanding of correlation
F10:     use interpolation, and extrapolation, and the equation to predict and solve problems

Projected timeline for preparation and for carrying out activities

Each activity will take approximately 30-45 minutes.
Allow at least 2 hours of class time for students to work on the final project. If you want all students working on this at once, you will need to book a computer lab.

Equipment Requirements: (computers, software, etc)

Mathematical Modeling Book 1
Computer for each pair of students (one per student is the ideal)
Fathom software

Teaching materials provided (Blacklines, worksheets, templates, teacher materials)

Instruction Sheets for Activities:

activity_1_instructions.rtf               activity_1_instructions.pdf
activity_2_instructions.rtf               activity_2_instructions.pdf
activity_3_instructions.rtf               activity_3_instructions.pdf

Files have been created with the required data for Activity 1 and Activity 3.
These are available as text files (suitable for importing into Fathom) and as Fathom files. Instructions for importing data into Fathom are also provided.

Data Files and Instructions

import_text_to_fathom.rtf              import_text_to_fathom.pdf
activity_1_data.txt                          activity_1_data.ftm
activity_3_data.txt                          activity_3_data.ftm

Completed examples:

activity_1_complete.rtf               activity_1_complete.pdf               activity_1_complete.ftm (Fathom file)
activity_2_complete.rtf               activity_2_complete.pdf               activity_2_complete.ftm (Fathom file)
activity_3_complete.rtf               activity_3_complete.pdf               activity_3_complete.ftm (Fathom file)

Excel version of Activity 1 and 2:          activity_1_2_all.xls
Excel version of Activity 3:          activity_3_complete.xls

Final Project – Case Study 1, Page 45

case_study_1_instructions.rtf               case_study_1_instructions.pdf
case_study_1_data.txt               case_study_1_data.ftm
case_study_1_complete.ftm

Resources available for teacher/student use (websites, references, etc)

It may be helpful for the teacher to try out some parts of this tutorial for Fathom:
http://mtl.math.uiuc.edu/modules/fathom/part1.html

Detailed instructions for each activity or lesson (teacher notes, activity information, learning strategies, teacher role, student roles)

This lesson is meant to enhance the graphing sections in Chapter 1: Data Management.

Students should complete section 1.3 before beginning Activity 1.
Students should complete section 1.4 before beginning Activity 2.
Students should complete section 1.6 before beginning Activity 3.

Teacher note:
Prior to each lesson:

1. Print and copy each activity instruction sheet. (See Teaching Materials section for links.)
2. Print each 'activity_complete' file (e.g., activity_1_complete.rtf). These files provide a screen image of the student’s completed Fathom file.
3. Review the Fathom files of the completed activities. (See Samples section for links.)
4. Work through the activity yourself to become familiar with the process and to be aware of any possible issues that may arise.

The teacher is to act as a facilitator through each of these lessons. The handouts give very specific instructions, as well as diagrams so that students can work, for the most part, independently.

Student products expected

After Activity 1, students should have produced:

activity_1_complete.rtf               activity_1_complete.pdf               activity_1_complete.ftm (Fathom file)

After Activity 2, students should have produced:

activity_2_complete.rtf               activity_2_complete.pdf               activity_2_complete.ftm (Fathom file)

After Activity 3, students should have produced:

activity_3_complete.rtf               activity_3_complete.pdf               activity_3_complete.ftm (Fathom file)

After the final project, students should have completed the following data and should include it in a written report:

case_study_1_complete.ftm

Samples (include teacher notes, assessment information, student work if available)

Completed examples:

activity_1_complete.rtf               activity_1_complete.pdf               activity_1_complete.ftm (Fathom file)
activity_2_complete.rtf               activity_2_complete.pdf               activity_2_complete.ftm (Fathom file)
activity_3_complete.rtf               activity_3_complete.pdf               activity_3_complete.ftm (Fathom file)
case_study_1_complete.ftm

Logistics (organization, grouping, management issues, access to technology)

Organization:

These activities are meant to take place throughout the Data Management unit. Students should be given about 30-40 minutes for each guided example.

Grouping:

Students should work in groups of 2, with each partner sharing some of the tasks. Ideally, each student should work independently on the final activity – Case Study 1 on page 45.

Management issues:

Teachers should try each activity prior to having the students work through them. The teacher will act as a facilitator for these lessons. It would be helpful if the teacher could work though parts of these lessons with students. An LCD in a computer lab would be the ideal.

Access to Technology:

Computers with Fathom installed
A computer lab equipped with an LCD would helpful for these lessons.

Assessment information (e.g., rubrics for products and/or process)

As students work through these activities, use the “Observation Log” in the Teacher’s Guide for assessment.

Possible extensions

Case Study 2 and Extension 2 on page 46.

Adaptations for students requiring additional support

• Partner these students with stronger math students.
• Read instructions orally to them.
• Encourage other students to help them through the steps of each activity.