Teaching teachers to teach statistics Theodore Chadjipadelis Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Dept. of Education 54006 Thessaloniki Greece Chadji@eled.auth.gr In the framework of teachers’ training in primary education, the Greek Universities took the responsibility of organizing and operating special courses. The Aristotle University had the responsibility of the operation of such study programs for 12000 teachers who work in a distance up to 120 km from its area (the city of Thessaloniki). In the fist phase of application of the program 3000 teachers were selected who, according to different criteria attend 1,2 or 4 study terms in groups of 30 – 50 persons. At the same time the Aristotle University commenced and fulfilled a similar one-term study program for 500 teachers of South – East Cyprus (area of Larnaca and Ammohostos). Attendance is obligatory for the introductory subject of statistics that includes 18 hours of theory (6 lessons of three hours) and 12 hours in the laboratory (in groups of 10), though, at the same time, they organize a project in a school class during the lessons. The general structure of the program is: I learn Statistics (4 times X 3 hours) I teach elements of statistics I organize the project (1 time X 3 hours) I check and analyze the data Use of P/C (EXCEL) (12 hours) Results Evaluation (3 hours) The essential element of the subject is the organization and guidance of a project by the teachers in class (with common theme for all school classes) through which children understand the meanings and techniques of introductory statistics included in the Primary School Curriculum. During the first year of application the monitoring and analysis of childrens’ habits of television viewing was chosen. Data were collected for a period of one week. The course is organized around the teaching material (meaning of variable, randomness, frequency, table of frequencies, mean, mode, diagrams, cross-tabulation), the teaching process (project) and the means of teaching (data monitoring sheet, spreadsheet, data entry, computer). The application phase of the project covers 6 hours of teaching in the school class divided as follows: 1 hour Description of the project (individual work) The meaning of the variable The organization of the monitoring 1 hour Spreadsheet (individual work) Encoding and checking of data Using EXCEL 2 hours Analyzing – Tables (Group work) Table of frequencies, mode, mean Cross Tabulation 2 hours Analyzing – Diagrams Presentation (group work) Diagrams, Results Essay - Presentation International Statistical Institute, 52nd Session 1999: Theodore Chadjipadelis