While this support activity is designed for a face-to-face, synchronous delivery, it should be noted that supporting text and interactive examples have been embedded in the digital assignment page to assist asynchronous or hybrid course delivery and to be made more accessible to students performing make-up work.

Notes for synchronous active-learning delivery

One of the primary purposes of this corequisite support activity is to familiarize students with the Data Analysis Tools, which they will be using in Forming Connections [2A]. Note that these tools work from any smart device, including phones.

This support activity also reviews two concepts students will see in Forming Connections [2A]: creating and interpreting dotplots and calculating the mean (arithmetic average) of a set of data points.

The first part of this support activity uses the Describing and Exploring Quantitative Data tool to generate and interpret a dotplot. The second part of this support activity uses the Generate Random Numbers tool to select a simple random sample from a finite population and then has students calculate the average of these values.

It is recommended that students work in pairs at a computer or using their phones, or they should work in close enough proximity to help each other and compare the outputs from the tool. If students are sharing a computer, encourage them to switch roles halfway through the support activity so that all students get practice using the tools.