This theoretical paper describes how Community-based Mathematical Modeling can advance equity and cultivate civic empathy in elementary school settings. We provide a framework for community-based mathematical modeling instruction consisting of five goals: facilitating connections, fostering engagement, promoting rigor, cultivating civic empathy,…

The aim of good data graphics is to display data accurately and clearly. This definition is used as a point of departure for developing 12 rules of bad data display: (1) show as little data as possible (minimize the data density); (2) hide what data you do show (minimize the data-ink ratio); (3) ignore the visual metaphor altogether; (4) only…

Discusses the use of quantitative graphs in newspapers and identifies 10 common problems to avoid in the use of informational graphics, including (1) the tilted graph; (2) the stacked graph; (3) the convention-violating graph; (4) the unnecessarily three-dimensional graph; and (5) the overly complex graph. (MM)

Introductory college level geography textbooks can be enhanced by using scatter diagrams and double criteria classifications, both of which reveal generalizations and specific facts about location. Scatter diagrams, a series of dots on a graph, illustrate relationships among phenomena that covary, e.g., national birth and infant mortality rates.…

Examines the statistical distribution of relevance judgments by reviewing and comparing the results of several studies over the last three decades. A characteristic distribution is examined, and a hypothesis is offered to explain it based on human judging characteristics and the nature of relevance experimentation. (Contains 13 references.) (LRW)

This paper summarizes the findings of a 1976 national survey on usage of paper-to-paper photocopying machines in the U.S. libraries, which was conducted by King Research, Inc. for the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, the National Science Foundation, and the National Commission on New Technological Uses of Copyrighted Works…

The eight articles and two commentaries of this theme issue indicate the main lines of thinking represented at a symposium on the comprehension of graphics in text. The common assumption is that graphics per se do not have a direct effect on learning results but are effective only when processed adequately. (SLD)

While the use of informational graphics in newspapers is increasing, little is known regarding how well readers can understand them and how readers use them. A study investigated whether readers of newspapers read graphics before or after they read the headline/text, and whether people decide to read a graphic device for appearance-related or…

The major purpose of this experiment was to examine the effects of format (bar graphs vs. tables) and organization (by year vs. by brand) on the speed and accuracy of extrapolation and interpolation with multiple, nonlinear trend displays. Fifty-six undergraduates enrolled in the College of Education at the University of Delaware served as the…

The use of graphics as an effective method of data communication is discussed for various types of research reports in higher education. The need to display information in a concise format and the importance of the stratification of data are stressed. The authors illustrate and discuss some of the types of graphs that can be used to communicate…

The use of quantitative graphics in newspapers requires achieving a balance between being accurate and getting the attention of the reader. The statistical representations in newspapers are drawn by graphic designers whose key technique is fusion--the striking combination of two visual images. This technique often results in visual puns,…

A subset of Statistical Process Control (SPC) methodology known as Control Charting is introduced. SPC methodology is a collection of graphical and inferential statistics techniques used to study the progress of phenomena over time. The types of control charts covered are the null X (mean), R (Range), X (individual observations), MR (moving…

The scenario of instructional development presented makes a case for relying on recent refinements of the computer as a tool for giving form to human knowledge. The computer is described as having a high capability to form ideas into a variety of shapes, and vary those shapes to appeal to people's sense of abstraction. The history of the…

This paper reports on applications of quality tools, developed for industrial settings, to educational management and instruction at three technical education centers. The necessary data were collected by the centers as they prepared for registration to the International Standards Organization Quality Assurance Standards. Application was made of…

Both on-line and face-to-face courses rely on textbooks as an important source of information for students. A challenge for instructors in an on-line setting is to insure that students are learning from their textbooks. One way to address this challenge is to use productivity software tools to develop assignments that promote student thinking and…