Presents an integrated mathematics and science activity in which students explore the concept of sampling on a soccer field. (ASK)

Offers an instructional approach and an exercise that can serve as a useful introduction to stratified random sampling. (ASK)

Presents the findings from a nationwide survey by the Educational Research Service, Inc. of principals on early childhood education. (MD)

Describes a school project to choose a mascot in which students learned about sampling and polls while collecting, organizing, and analyzing data. (MKR)

Discusses a strategy for teaching degrees of freedom (in conjunction with sampling theory). The strategy, used successfully with students who have completed no more than beginning secondary school algebra, involves drawing items from a pool of five in a hat while explaining sample means and variances. (DH)

Sophisticated simulations using computer graphics can lead to students deducing virtually all conditions of the Central Limit Theorem. Eight graphs illustrate the discussion. (MNS)

Explores misconceptions that students hold about sampling techniques on surveys. Highlights students' thinking and instructional implications from two studies that examined upper-elementary students' written and oral explanations as they responded to survey situations. (ASK)

Uses imaginary tools to create distributions of sample means, the differences among them, the mean difference scores, and the raw score populations. Using this technique helps students grasp the distinctions between them. Generalizes to hypothesis testing aids in answering probability questions, and enhances teaching techniques. (Author/NL)

Describes a one-week lesson in which gummy-bears candy was used to illustrate sampling procedures and to generate discussion and questions. Reports data results and students' reactions to problems of representation after holding an election. (MKR)

Presents an activity on the simplification of penguin counting by employing the basic ideas and principles of sampling to teach students to understand and recognize its role in statistical claims. Emphasizes estimation, data analysis and interpretation, and central limit theorem. Includes a list of items for classroom discussion. (ASK)

Some issues in the design of classroom research on second language teaching are discussed, with the intention of helping the researcher avoid conceptual pitfalls that may cripple the study later in the process. This begins with an examination of concerns in sampling, including definition of a population to be studied, alternative sampling…

Presents a method for teaching sampling that uses hypothetical, small-scale target populations. Suggests that this method can best introduce the basic concepts of sampling in the context of a concrete example. Uses actual data collected from the class in order to provide a hands-on experience. Notes some potential limitations of the approach. (KO)

Presents a game to capture student interest in probability by giving them an opportunity to explore the idea of various outcomes and the likelihood of the occurrence of one of those outcomes to explain the benefits of using a large sample rather than a small one. (ASK)

An activity for grades seven and eight using goldfish crackers is described. Students set up ratios and proportions to describe relationships between the sample and the total. (MNS)

One of the benefits of performance based assessment is its allowance for the teacher to gather information about how the student understands and applies knowledge. In this Digest, the basic steps a teacher should take to plan and execute effective performance-based assessment are outlined. Coverage includes the steps of planning and executing…