Introduction to population statistics

Overview

An introduction to the Internet and to Canadian demographic information available on E-STAT.

Contributor: Alex D. Alexopoulos, Statistics Canada Support Teacher.

Objectives

• To gain exposure to Canadian statistical information in tabular format.
• To develop basic experience in Internet navigation.
• To calculate absolute change in population.

Suggested grade levels and subject areas

Intermediate
Geography, Social Studies

Outcomes

Students will

• become familiar with E-STAT;
• learn to retrieve and manipulate data, and to create tables; and
• learn to calculate changes in population.

Vocabulary

Absolute change
Population

Materials

• A brief overview on how to use E-STAT.
• This activity requires access to E-STAT, and uses of CANSIM.
• Student worksheet 1
• Student worksheet 2 — Calculation

Resources

Computers with Internet access.

Classroom instructions

1. Students work individually on computers.
2. Review basic techniques on navigating the Internet.
3. Show students how to conduct searches and produce tables on E-STAT.
4. Distribute copies of the student worksheet 1 and the student worksheet 2 — Calculation.
5. Using the student worksheet 2 — Calculation, students calculate the absolute change in population in order to compare growth from one time period to another.
6. Have students answer the questions from the worksheet.

Please e-mail comments or examples of how you used this exercise in your class.

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