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September 2006 CensusAtSchool Newsletter - Edition No. 15
Contents
Where to Start? Introducing CensusAtSchool data into the classroom
Get your copy of 'Using CensusAtSchool Data'
CensusAtSchool Project Results Now Available
What Teachers are Saying...
Follow-up of Census forms underway
Where to Start? Introducing CensusAtSchool data into the classroom
 Over 30,000 data samples have now been generated and downloaded from the Random Sampler on the CensusAtSchool web site!
How are teachers introducing this real raw data about Australian students in the classroom? We contacted some teachers, who sent their ideas to the CensusAtSchool Team to find out:
Ronelle Hewes, from Carlton South Public School in New South Wales decided to use a problem solving approach when introducing CensusAtSchool data to her Grade 5/6 class.
Ronelle organised her students into pairs, and encouraged them to come up with an investigation based upon the questions in the CensusAtSchool questionnaire. She used this opportunity to highlight aspects such as the importance of criteria, clear and accurate phrasing and selecting appropriate questions. Students then generated a sample of data from the random sampler using NSW postcodes. Asked how her students responded to the data, Ronelle said "I was surprised at how powerful this resource is at engaging students."
Ronelle also intends to have her class compare their results to students in other states and territories.
Liz Waldeck, a teacher at Westside Christian College in Queensland, has used International CensusAtSchool data in the past, but took a different approach when hearing that the 2006 Australian CensusAtSchool data was available. Rather than students coming up with their own investigations, she decided to design a task where students could focus on analysing one or two of the questions in the CensusAtSchool questionnaire and present their results in a poster.
Liz remarked "It makes it much more interesting to use real data rather than just teach statistics from text book exercises ... the students had an opportunity to analyse real data and present their findings."
In both cases, the data itself naturally generated class discussions about analysis, representation and usage.
The CensusAtSchool team is eager to find out how schools are using the data, so if you have any terrific ideas or plans for this resource, please contact us and share your experiences with other teachers who are part of the CensusAtSchool community. Similarly, if you require any particular samples or tables please let us know.
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Get your copy of 'Using CensusAtSchool Data'
 The Using CensusAtSchool Data CD ROM is now available. Produced by the CensusAtSchool team, this CD guides teachers through four statistical problems using the CensusAtSchool Data.
To request a copy of the CD or to find out more information, please contact the CensusAtSchool team on freecall 1800 623 273 or by email on censusatschool@abs.gov.au.
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CensusAtSchool Project Results Now Available
Over 112,000 students from 2,744 schools participated in the 2006 CensusAtSchool Questionnaire Phase. Find out about the participation rates by state and explore responses from some of the most talked about questions.
Visit the CensusAtSchool Results page.
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What Teachers are Saying...
“Great project, glad to be involved. Real life application of data simulates students and makes school maths more relevant.”
- ACT Professional Development Session
“Thank you for the opportunity to participate. The students had a real buzz out of doing the questionnaire-and I'm pleased that we found a way to make sure their ideas were transmitted. Looking forward to working with the resulting stats.”
- Kerry Fasolo Teacher WA
“CensusAtSchool is a great hands-on experience for students to see how data is collected and used.”
- NT Professional Development Session
“I’m currently planning a unit of work using CensusAtSchool information – it’s fabulous! What a great resource!”
- VIC Professional Development Session
To submit your comments, please send an email to: censusatschool@abs.gov.au
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Follow-up of Census forms underway
 The Australian Bureau of Statistics thanks everyone who has completed and returned a Census form, but would like to stress again that ultimately the Census is compulsory.
If you were in Australia on Census night (8 August) and have not yet completed and returned a form, you should either mail back your completed form in the reply-paid envelope supplied, or call 1300 362 883 for assistance.
"The main collection of Census forms has now finished and the overwhelming majority of Census Collectors have completed their tasks," the Head of Census Paul Williams said.
"The ABS will be doing Census follow up work in a small number of areas. In particular the ABS will focus on areas where Collectors have had difficulty contacting people. As with the main Census collection, ABS staff will carry official photographic identification.
"Apart from this, collection is still underway in some Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia where interviews, rather than the self-completion of a Census form, are being conducted into September.
"The ABS is also following up people who have refused to take part in the Census. The ABS takes this matter very seriously. Follow up action includes the issuing of Notices of Direction.
"A person who refuses to comply with the notice within 14 days can be prosecuted. The Census and Statistics Act allows for penalties of up to $110 a day for each day the person fails to fill in a Census form, after having been directed to do so.
"So far over 300 Notices of Direction have been issued across Australia."
 To find out more about the 2006 National Census visit the ABS website at: https://www.abs.gov.au/census |
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| If you have any questions or general CensusAtSchool project enquiries, please contact the ABS, National Education Service Unit, CensusAtSchool Team by email censusatschool@abs.gov.au or on free call 1800 623 273 between 9:00am and 5:00pm (AEST) Monday to Friday. |  |
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