The following collection of resources have been assembled by the TES Maths Panel. They can be downloaded for free by registering on the TES website.
A-level statistics offers a great opportunity to make sense of the world around us. Luckily, specifications focus more and more on using and applying statistics in context and hence textbooks and exams offer a variety of applications from other subjects. It is easy to rely on textbooks only and miss out on using more interactive resources that encourage discussion and foster positive teamwork. The following list offers a mixture of resources beyond textbooks and encourages teachers to explore.
Top 10 resources:
1. Statistics statements
Age range: 16-18 Format: website
A set of statistical statements from nrich. These types of statements are a tool to provoke discussion and highlight typical misconceptions.
2. QR code revision trail – statistics
Age range: 16-18 Format: Word document
Students use a QR scanner on their mobile phone to revise topics in the format of a treasure hunt. The resource could be adapted for many revision sessions.
3. Understanding frequency density
Age range: 14-18 Format: pdf
This histogram puzzle works as a revision activity for KS5 (but could also be used in GCSE). It also encourages fruitful discussions as team task and has been set in context of a ‘story’.
4. Using binomial probabilities
Age range: 16-18 Format: pdf
Another standard unit box matching activity. It looks easier (it isn’t) and offers a great opportunity to reinforce the context which is appropriate for binomial distributions and encourages useful discussions about important features of a binomial distribution (e.g. the symmetrical nature of the formula, the powerful knowledge of alternative strategies…)
5. Mr Barton’s Web Whizz video – Census at School
Age range: 11-18 Format: website
One of Mr Barton’s Web Whizz videos, pointing out the amazing census at school webpage that allows you to get access to data to carry out all sorts of statistics tasks. You could use the data to discuss their suitability for discussed distributions, carry out your own hypothesis tests, investigate correlations – the possibilities are endless.
6. Autograph video special: Normal distribution
Age range: 16-18 Format: web
One of many tutorials that clearly explain how Autograph handles normal distribution. Using Autograph is useful to visualise statistics – during a demonstrating you can stop at many points asking students rich questions.
7. Distribution comparison: Normal, Poisson, Binomial
Age range: 16-18 Format: Spreasheet
This spreadsheet offers a great alternative to visualise distributions and their properties if you don’t have access to Autograph. Most students will have access to excel and should be encouraged to explore its many statistics features to aid their learning.
8. Normal distribution Tarsia jigsaw puzzle
Age range: 16-18 Format: xjsw
This Tarsia puzzle covers all relevant examples of a normal distribution using tables to find probabilities. The puzzle is not too big and can be used as a quick team work activity before students tackle further exam questions.
9. Venn diagrams
Age range: 16-18 Format: Word document
A set of Venn diagram matching cards to allow plenty of practise – ideal as a quick starter of a lesson.
10. Statistics: Hypothesis testing
Age range: 16-18 Format: Word document
A document demonstrating two exam questions on hypothesis testing for normal and Poisson. The answers have been broken down systematically and make it easy to understand and follow.
Anja Lehmann, maths secondary panel