What do the numbers look like?

Most people have difficulty visualizing statistics. Rows of numbers strike many people-especially young people--bored and distracted. Now the statisticians have come up with graphics that make statistical information look startlingly new and much more understandable. According to a NY Times article today a new nonprofit based in Sweden, has formed a group to educate the public about differences in health and wealth in nations around the world. The Gapminder World shows brightly colored dots representing different countries on different continents. The viewer can follow the growth of population and wealth from the 1600s up through 2000s. The information can also be displayed as a map of the world. Think how much more young people could learn if they can view data in this way rather than plowing through number comparisons in textbooks. There's a great future for curricular develpment using these new tools for displaying statistics. Teachers and librarians ought to encourage their colleagues to search out and use examples of this vivid new way of seeing the world. The children will thank you.