643 M. A. (Ken) Clements et al. (Eds.), Third International Handbook of Mathematics Education,
Springer International Handbooks of Education 27, DOI 10.1007/978-1-4614-4684-2_21,
© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013
Abstract The purpose of this chapter is to provide an updated overview of digital
technologies relevant to statistics education, and to summarize what is currently
known about how these new technologies can support the development of stu-
dents’ statistical reasoning at the school level. A brief literature review of trends
in statistics education is followed by a section on the history of technologies in
statistics and statistics education. Next, an overview of various types of techno-
logical tools highlights their benefits, purposes and limitations for developing stu-
dents’ statistical reasoning. We further discuss different learning environments
that capitalize on these tools with examples from research and practice. Dynamic
data analysis software applications for secondary students such as Fathom and
TinkerPlots are discussed in detail. Examples are provided to illustrate innovative
uses of technology. In the future, these uses may also be supported by a wider
range of new tools still to be developed. To summarize some of the findings, the
role of digital technologies in statistical reasoning is metaphorically compared
with travelling between data and conclusions, where these tools represent fast
modes of transport. Finally, we suggest future directions for technology in research
and practice of developing students’ statistical reasoning in technology-enhanced
learning environments.
R. Biehler (*)
University of Paderborn, Paderborn, Germany
e-mail: biehler@math.upb.de
D. Ben-Zvi
The University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
A. Bakker
Utrecht University , Utrecht, The Netherlands
K. Makar
The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
Chapter 21
Technology for Enhancing Statistical
Reasoning at the School Level
Rolf Biehler, Dani Ben-Zvi, Arthur Bakker, and Katie Makar