Effects of TV Viewing on Grades

Overview

Students will test a hypothesis to see if there is a direct correlation between number of hours of TV viewing and academic grade. They will collect and compile data to enter on a spreadsheet and create a word processing document which will include data and graphs to support their hypothesis.

Concepts

• Students keep track of TV viewing hours for a period of a week and compute
  

compute their daily average.

• Students collect, organize, describe and analyze data.
  
  
• Students use the ClarisWorks spreadsheet module.
  
  
• Students use the spreadsheet to display results as a bar graph and a scatter plot.
  

• Students use ClarisWorks word processing to communicate results through a written document complete with graphs for enhancement.
  

Indicators

• Students compute and examine individual results.
  
  
• Students collect data.
  
  
• Students display data.
  
  
• Students analyze data and communicate results in a written document.
  
  

Precomputer

• Using a “How much TV do you watch ?” worksheet, discuss the question with
  

the class.

• As a group, decide on what qualifies as TV viewing: broadcast, cable, video tapes,
  

playing video games, etc.

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• Have students make predictions about a person’s viewing habits and his academic
  

performance.

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• Collect individual data by having students measure and record their TV viewing time for a week then take their daily average.
  

• Collect group data by taking a survey around the room.
  
  
• Write a draft of an explanation that includes the hypothesis, method of data collection, results and conclusion.
  

On the computer

• Input all data to a ClarisWorks spreadsheet. Once data is recorded, follow directions from make a chart from the spreadsheet. Students should create a bar graph and a scatter plot with the information.
  

• Using a word processing program, the students are to type their draft and use editing tools to create their document. The students are to import the graphs from their spreadsheet to support their hypothesis and conclusion.
  

Postcomputer

• Discuss with students other possible issues that may be examined and put into a statistical format.
  

Related resources

• Magazine an/or newspaper articles on TV viewing habits for various age groups.