International Statistical Literacy Project Improving Statistical Literacy by National and International Cooperation

International Statistical Literacy Project Key points Advancing the use of statistical data as the base for various projects Arenas of data use – attention to different users and user groups Learning from the practices of others – cooperation projects – how to combine competence resources – best practices – models for product development Conclusions 2

International Statistical Literacy Project Why is statistical literacy needed? Statistical literacy is the ability to read and interpret summary statistics in the everyday media: in graphs, tables, statements, surveys and studies. Statistical literacy is needed by data consumers (Milo Schield). 3

International Statistical Literacy Project The strategic objective of a national statistical agency is to advance the use of statistics Statistics find and increase their meaning through their use – Only when used is information useful The existence and reliability of a statistical agency is based on users' willingness and need to use statistics – Different users have different needs and skills in acquiring and understanding statistical data – Segmented services will be more and more in focus – Services supporting the use of statistics are increasingly important 4

International Statistical Literacy Project ISLP around the world The mission of the International Statistical Literacy Project (ISLP) is to support, create and participate in statistical literacy activities and promotion around the world The main aim will be contributing to statistical literacy across the world, among young and adults, in all phases of life Another aim is to bring together different actors: producers of statistics, statisticians, users 5

International Statistical Literacy Project Arenas of data use 6

International Statistical Literacy Project Science Education Culture Civic society Commercial markets Politics Public administration Professions Scientific community Model: Arenas of the publicity of science Source: Väliverronen (2003) 7

International Statistical Literacy Project Example on segmenting users at the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) School Students (both primary and secondary) Tertiary Students (including university and vocational education students and teachers/lecturers) Opinion Leaders (including journalists) Decision Makers (including politicians, political advisors and government employees) General Community (including small business/community groups) 8

International Statistical Literacy Project Data needs and skill levels of segments presented on a three-step scale – Basic literacy – Intermediate literacy – Advanced literacy One segment can have users from different levels => attention to this in product development 9 Example on segmenting users at the ABS

International Statistical Literacy Project Bringing forth strategic groups: Statistics Finland Creation of a stakeholder policy to steer activity Checking the focuses of stakeholders and customer work at certain intervals At the core of activities in 2010: – Research institutes and development of researcher services Targets for segmented activity: – Educational institutions – The media – Enterprises 10

International Statistical Literacy Project ISLPISLP – models for increasing the use of statistical data Aims to: – Pay attention to different target groups – Develop various activities – Use different media (technical, social) – Organise activity and apply models globally together with national ISLP coordinators 11

International Statistical Literacy Project ISLP – target groups for advancing the use of statistics 12 Statistial Literacy Educational instutions Media Libraries Citizens Decision makers?? Public administration ?? Professions?? Scientific community??

International Statistical Literacy Project Cooperation projects – combining resources and competence 13

International Statistical Literacy Project CensusAtSchool Aims to – Encourage children to get involved with data handling and learn statistical skills – Provide real data for data handling activities – Increase awareness of national censuses – Show how information and communication technology (ICT) can be used effectively to enhance teaching and learning especially in the area of data handling Running in the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Canada, New Zealand and AustraliaUKIrelandSouth AfricaCanada New ZealandAustralia 14

International Statistical Literacy Project CAUSEweb.org CAUSE is a national organisation whose mission is to support and advance undergraduate statistics education in four target areas: resources, professional development, outreach and research Resources listed by material type – Goal: collect, review, develop, and disseminate resources for members of the undergraduate statistics education community 15

International Statistical Literacy Project CAUSEweb.org Lecture Examples: Lesson modules for lecturers Lecture Examples: Laboratories: Computer and hands-on activities Laboratories: Out-of-class: Homework, projects, and distance learning materials Out-of-class: Teaching Methods: Classroom pedagogy and logistics Teaching Methods: Datasets: Data and how to use it Datasets: Analysis Tools: Software and on-line tools Analysis Tools: Curriculum: Syllabus issues and sources of statistics conten. Curriculum: Fun: Cartoons, statistical art, jokes, poems, word puzzles, quotes, songs, and videos for instructional use Fun: Building Blocks: Unattached components for modular use Building Blocks: Multimedia: Video, sound, and animations Multimedia: Advising: careers, graduate schools, opportunities for students Advising: 16

International Statistical Literacy Project The site aims to: – Present statistical literacy as an interdisciplinary activity – Feature books, papers and activities related to statistical literacy – taken broadly from a variety of disciplines – Present statistical literacy as useful in everyday arguments 17

International Statistical Literacy Project eCourse in Statistics A joint project between the National Statistics Office of Malte, University of Hagen (Germany) and Statistics Finland the National Statistics Office of Malte,University of Hagen (Germany) Statistics Finland Further developed on the basis of Statistics Finland´s e-learning materials Target group: young adults Examples from the EU area aiming at extensive use of the service in different countries New cooperation partners/actors wanted to develop the service 18

International Statistical Literacy Project eCourse in Statistics 19

International Statistical Literacy Project ISLP – Statistical Literacy Competitions Objectives – To advance the understanding and use of statistics in educational institutions – To create networks between teaching of statistical science, national statistical agencies and educational institutions – To use the competition format all over the world – The next competition to be launched in September Further information at the ISLP site. 20

International Statistical Literacy Project Examples of best practices – models for product development 21

International Statistical Literacy Project Serving the media in a user-friendly way: as an example Statistics CanadaStatistics Canada Offering different service modes for the same target group – Media Hotline – ad hoc service for the media – Media Room – Internet site directed to the media – The Daily – release bulletin – Training – Assistance in story contents and news making 22

International Statistical Literacy Project Content development of the web service together with educational institution users: as an example AleaAlea Aims at providing both teachers and students of secondary education with teaching materials for the study of statistics A joint idea of Statistics Portugal and Tomaz Pelayo Secondary School, bringing together The Portuguese Ministry of Education, through its Northern Regional Education Department (DREN).Statistics PortugalTomaz Pelayo Secondary SchoolDREN A good example of networking with key interest groups Ensures that the contents of the service meets the needs of users 23

International Statistical Literacy Project Opening of statistics to data users: as an example Understanding of Statistics Understanding of Statistics 24

International Statistical Literacy Project Conclusions

International Statistical Literacy Project What is statistics for? – Citizen’s right to understand and use the information produced by society is the basis of a democratic society – Anybody can be a user of statistics - from random users to major users – Impartial and easy availability of statistical data for all subsections of society 26 Conclusions

International Statistical Literacy Project Conclusions Development of services in cooperation with interest group representatives – Charting of data needs – Developing products on that basis Timeliness, clearness, understandability Data produced in the form agreed, usefulness of expertise to customers Production of services in cooperation with statistical experts in the field – Networking – Sharing of competence and resources 27

International Statistical Literacy Project Users Conclusions 28 StatisticiansNational statistical agenciesStatistical societiesInternational organisations Increasing cooperation to enhance statistical literacy and user skills