PROJECT DESCRIPTION
CensusAtSchool is a flexible resource that has application in many subject areas. It provides a unique student learning opportunity for Australian school students to use technology to investigate questions of interest to them through the analysis of data about themselves.The questionnaire response data is also supported by a range of classroom activities for use in Mathematics and SOSE/HSIE which are linked to current curriculum outcomes. The activities have been prepared and reviewed by practising teachers from around Australia. They are designed to engage students with using statistics across the curriculum. CensusAtSchool also encourages teachers and students from all year levels to structure their own learning by accessing the data directly through the Random Sampler. The 2006 data pool can be accessed from the sampler at any time, on an ongoing basis. The 2008 data will become available after 7 July 2008.
Origins of the CensusAtSchool Project
The Australian CensusAtSchool is based on a program developed by the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) Centre for Statistical Education in the United Kingdom. The UK project has been extremely successful in improving statistical literacy and was successfully extended to all provinces in South Africa. Since then, other organisations have adapted the project to suit their local environment, namely Canada, New Zealand, the Office of Economic and Statistical Research (OESR) in Queensland and the Noel Baker Centre for School Mathematics in South Australia. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is proud to present CensusAtSchool on a National level and is looking forward to continuing this exciting and engaging education project into the future for Australian school teachers and students.
Who Has Been Involved In The Development Of CensusAtSchool?
In Australia, a range of experts and key stakeholders have been involved in the development of CensusAtSchool to ensure the project retains maximum value in the classroom. Students and teachers have played a key role in the development of the questionnaire, targeting areas of interest and refining the wording of questions. Teachers, education bodies and education departments have been involved in a consultation process for the development of the educational strategy and teaching materials. ABS has also drawn on the experiences of CensusAtSchool projects undertaken in other parts of the world.
The CensusAtSchool Key Dates
The project is conducted in two phases. The Questionnaire Phase encourages students to collect real data about themselves by responding to non invasive questions of about themselves via the CensusAtSchool on-line questionnaire. The Data Usage Phase enables teachers and students to access the questionnaire response data to carry out investigations in an engaging learning environment.
The Questionnaire phase is conducted twice every five years and requires that your school register to be eligible to participate. The Data Usage phase is open on an ongoing basis and is freely available to all teachers and students.
Questionnaire Phase - 29 January 2008 to 4 July 2008
- The 2008 CensusAtSchool on-line Questionnaire was live from 29 January to 4 July 2008. During this phase students submitted their responses to form part of the 2008 CensusAtSchool Australian-wide database. Please visit the How To Get Involved page for details about how your school can participate in future CensusAtSchool projects.
Data Usage Phase - Opens 7 July 2008 (NOW OPEN)
- The Data Usage Phase opened on 7 July 2008. Students will have the option of generating their own random samples via the Random Sampler, or access Prepared Samples and Information Tables based on the response data collected in the Questionnaire Phase. Please visit the CensusAtSchool Data area to access 2008 Prepared Samples, Information Tables, Classroom activities and the Random Sampler generator.
What Is the Value of CensusAtSchool?
CensusAtSchool can help make statistics alive and relevant in the classroom. Students have direct access to raw data samples which will provide them with the flexibility to raise their own questions and initiates student-led investigations.The best part is that students are part of the data, and are aware of the process by which the data was collected.
For teachers, CensusAtSchool provides a premium teaching resource that can be used across a range of year levels and subject areas. Teachers can choose to utilise the learning materials provided, which facilitate both minimal and extensive use of IT, or create their own exercises from the data. For teachers of senior students the large volume of raw data available will be an invaluable resource, particularly as a source of continuous data. CensusAtSchool can be used to teach a range of statistical concepts and develop skills in planning, organising, analysis and communication. CensusAtSchool also provides an opportunity for teachers to improve their spreadsheet skills along with their students. Professional development sessions will be running around Australia throughout 2008. Visit Professional Development for schedule updates.
For students, the project promotes the use of ICT in their investigations of real, raw data about themselves and other Australian students. Access to a large database will be a valuable resource for student originated investigations. CensusAtSchool also enables students to have fun whilst learning about statistics and enhancing their skills. The data can be used in investigations that are truly cross curricula. The analysis can be carried out in Mathematics (or SOSE/HSIE) and the information passed on to be used in SOSE/HSIE.
A range of activities are also provided. Most activities use spreadsheets, some require Internet access and some do not require a computer. The activities will help stimulate other ideas that students can use as their own investigation topic. The activity "Boys make better drivers than girls" could be amended to be "Blondes will make the worst drivers" or "Left handed boys will be better footballers". The variations are up to students' imaginations.
Future of CensusAtSchool
CensusAtSchool is planned to be an ongoing project accessible through the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) web site. Access to the Random Sampler for available data will remain on the ABS web site well into the future and can be used at any time.
The intention of the ABS is to conduct the CensusAtSchool project (via a new questionnaire) with each Census of Population and Housing and once between each consecutive census. This will provide data that will enable students to make longitudinal studies in the future.
The international aspect of the project is also seen as a focus area, with the anticipation of more countries getting on board in the future. This will serve to further diversify the response data available for student analysis and classroom activities.
It is also envisaged that the web site will grow to include case studies of how teachers have used the data in their classrooms and other activities initiated by teachers.
Special Thanks to Key CensusAtSchool contacts
Royal Statistical Society (RSS) Centre for Statistical Education
goVote - Web based voting and surveys.
Chocolate Designs / OBM - Electronic & Print Media Design & Online Business Management Services
Teachers and Students from around Australia
The CensusAtSchool Reference Group Members
The intermediaries from each state:
ACT
Australian Capital Territory Department of Education and Training
Catholic Education Office
Association of Independent Schools
South Australia
Department of Education and Children's Services
Catholic Education South Australia
Association of Independent Schools of South Australia
Noel Baker Centre for School Mathematics
Northern Territory
NT Department of Employment, Education and Training
Catholic Education NT
Association of Independent Schools of the NT
New South Wales
NSW Department of Education and Training
Catholic Education Commission
Association of Independent Schools of NSW
Western Australia
Government of WA Department of Education and Training
Catholic Education Office of WA
Association of Independent Schools of WA Inc
Tasmania
Department of Education Tasmania
Catholic Education Office Tasmania
Association of Independent Schools of Tasmania
Queensland
Queensland Government Office of Economic and Statistical Research
Education Queensland
Queensland Catholic Education Commission
Association of Independent Schools of Queensland
Victoria
Department of Education and Training
Catholic Education Office
Association of Independent Schools
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