Excel 2

Today's Excel assignment is a continuation of the first Excel Assignment. I once again used the state comparisons data from the NCES website to determine the research question - Does student’s gender impact 4th grade reading performance? In other words, I compared fourth grade females to fourth grade males reading test scores from 2011. Our hypothesis is that there is a difference between male and female scores. Therefore, our null hypothesis is there is not a significant difference between male and female reading test scores.

To figure this question out, I learned about a new Excel feature. A T-Test compares two sets of data to determine if the data is statistically significant or different from one another by comparing the mean and variance of the data. The T-Test allows the user to determine if the significance of both sets of information exceeds 5%. If the p value is greater than .05 then we will accept the null hypothesis. However, if the p value is less than .05 then we will reject the null hypothesis. To use the T-Test, I went back to the data analysis tool pack and selected the T-Test option. After choosing the data to be compared, Excel found the results!  

Since the p values (2.51 & 5.03) are greater than .05, we will accept the null hypothesis. This means “although there is a difference in the two groups, that difference is likely related to measurement error, or chance, and gender does not impact 4th grade reading performance.”

A research topic that I would like to construct within my 5th grade classroom could deal with basic math facts. Research question - Does student's gender impact the basic recall of multiplication facts? Hypothesis - Fifth grade females are better at multiplication facts than males. Null Hypothesis - There is not a significant difference between male and female basic recall of multiplication facts. Independent Variable - Gender (male vs. female). Dependent Variable - Multiplication fact averages of 5th grade students in my classroom. After performing a t-Test, I could determine if my hypothesis or null hypothesis is correct.  

This activity best relates to the ISTE NETS T standard 5: Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership.  It relates to this standard using Excel and analysis features within it allows teachers to contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self renewal of the teaching profession.  The research topic designed could allow me to reflect on my classroom and teaching methods.