Open data in Australian schools: taking statistical literacy and the practice of statistics across the curriculum

This chapter focuses on statistical literacy and the practice of statistics from the perspective of middle school students and how their experiences can be enhanced by the availability of open data. The open data sets selected illustrate the types of contexts that are available and their connections to the Australian school curriculum. The importance of visualisation is stressed and the software TinkerPlots is the tool used for students to create representations and develop the understanding necessary to analyse data and draw conclusions. Building appreciation of the practice of statistics in this way further assists students to become critical thinkers in judging the claims of others later as statistically literate adults.