Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Taming the Wild Data points of life.
This week I had to ask my brilliant children for help. I remember loving the lab work in college but hating the calculations especially determining standard deviation. I even whined to my son and daughter when they told me I had to calculate the cumulative differences between the data and the mean in a field with only 7 entries. They tried to console me and tell me that if I entered the data into the graphics calculator and did some logical and simple (Magical Mystical digital manipulations) calculations it would all become clear and I could reach a transcendent level of data understanding. Of course I didn't. I take it on faith that the statistical manipulations are useful and I have seen some evidence though the clarity of the moment quickly fades into a fog of confusion. I know with time and training I can tame the wild numbers and learn to ride this wave of data, but I have to tell you I fear that this horse truly hates me.
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And this from a science teacher? I have to admit that I do get lost in the fog occasionally, but for whatever reason, I love the challenge. It may be my OCD and my need to see things in an orderly manner...who knows?
ReplyDeleteTerry, I not only loved what you had to say but also the way you said it. Your blog entry was so much fun to read that had it been twice as long I would have wished for more.
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