Predicting Precipitation in Darwin: An Experiment with Markov Chains

Autor/inn/en	Boncek, John; Harden, Sig
Titel	Predicting Precipitation in Darwin: An Experiment with Markov Chains
Quelle	In: Australian Senior Mathematics Journal, 23 (2009) 2, S.8-14 (7 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0819-4564
Schlagwörter	Leitfaden; Unterricht; Lehrer; College Mathematics; Markov Processes; Prediction; Foreign Countries; Geometric Concepts; Science Course Improvement Projects; Teaching Methods; Science Activities; Demonstrations (Educational); Student Projects; Case Method (Teaching Technique); Australia + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Lesson concept; Instruction; Unterrichtsentwurf; Unterrichtsprozess; Teacher; Teachers; Lehrerin; Lehrende; Markowscher Prozess; Vorhersage; Ausland; Elementare Geometrie; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Demonstrationsexperiment; Demonstrationsmodell; Demonstrationsunterricht; Schulprojekt; Case method; Fallmethode; Australien
Abstract	As teachers of first-year college mathematics and science students, the authors are constantly on the lookout for simple classroom exercises that improve their students' analytical and computational skills. In this article, the authors outline a project entitled "Predicting Precipitation in Darwin." In this project, students: (1) analyze and manipulate raw precipitation data; (2) build a prediction model using a Markov chain; (3) predict the long term distribution of precipitation-free and rainy days in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia; (4) use a chi-square test to evaluate the effectiveness of the model they have constructed; and (5) improve their prediction model. Beyond access to the Internet (to obtain the raw data) and a computer spreadsheet program or calculator, no special equipment is required. If the data is downloaded in advance, a well-prepared junior or senior high-school mathematics (or science) class should be able to perform this exercise in approximately 30-45 minutes of class time. (Contains 1 figure and 8 tables.) (ERIC).
Anmerkungen	Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT). GPO Box 1729, Adelaide 5001, South Australia. Tel: +61-8-8363-0288; Fax: +61-8-8362-9288; e-mail: office@aamt.edu.au; Web site: http://www.aamt.edu.au
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2021/2/06