Aspects of University Students' Graph Sense in a Virtual Learning Environment

Abstract

To break with the traditional model of Basic Statistics classes in Higher Education, we sought on Statistical Literacy and Critical Education to develop an activity about graphic interpretation, which took place in a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), as a complement to classroom meetings. Twenty-three engineering students from a public higher education institution in Rio de Janeiro took part in the research. Our objective was to analyze elements of graphic comprehension in an activity that consisted of identifying incorrect statistical graphs, conveyed by the media, followed by argumentation and interaction among students about these errors. The main results evidenced that elements of the Graphic Sense were present in the discussions and were the goal of the students' critical analysis. The VLE was responsible for facilitating communication, fostering student participation, and linguistic writing, so the use of digital technologies and activities favored by collaboration and interaction are important for statistical development, but such construction is a gradual process.

Keywords:
Statistical Literacy; Statistics Teaching; Statistical Graphs; Higher Education; Critical Education