Excel T-Test

Get ready to embrace statistics! For this assignment I learned about t-tests and how they can help in evaluating quantitative data. Using the same 4th grade data set from the NCES that I used in the Excel Add-on blog post, I conducted a t-test analysis to determine whether or not gender has a significant impact on reading scores nationally between males and females in the 4th grade. After conducting this test, I then had to determine whether or not to accept or reject the null hypothesis based on the results. The Hypothesis states that there is a significant difference between male and female scores, where the null hypothesis states there is no difference at all.

In Microsoft Excel, I used the Data Analysis function to create a T-Test: Two-Sample Assuming Equal Variances table where the two samples included the male and female national reading scores. Based on the results, where the p value is greater than >.05, I must conclude that there is no significant difference in the scores, therefore accepting the null hypothesis. If the data was less than <.05, then the null hypothesis would be rejected and the data would show a significant difference in scores based on gender.

 

If I had to conduct such an experiment in my class, I think it would be useful to look at whether or not physical activity makes a difference in student test scores. My prediction is that physical activity would increase learning and test scores would rise. The mere fact that physical activity helps get more oxygen to the brain leads me to believe there is a valid reason to incorporate such activities to further learning outcomes. The following is what my experiment would look like.

Research Question: Do physical activity breaks in the classroom have an impact on student     learning outcomes?

Dependent Variable: Students learning in a traditional classroom

Independent Variable: Physical Activity incorporated into the traditional classroom

Hypothesis
H0: There will be a significant difference in student learning if physical activity is incorporated daily into the classroom curriculum.

H1: There will be no difference (null hypothesis).

Since this Excel activity involves statistical data and t-tests to compare student learning outcomes, I think this activity complies with the ISTE.NETS.T standard number three, Model Digital-Age Work and Learning. When teachers are actively using digital tools such as the Excel Data Analysis Tools, they are utilizing available resources to determine outcomes and identify issues that may or may not be might not be impacting learning altogether.