Using School Mathematics to Develop Students' Data Literacy Skills

To be literate in a society where the information shared online is often exploited, learners should be exposed to multiple aspects of contemporary predictive modeling. This article explores an activity in which grade 10 students learned how a famous AI algorithm (the Apriori algorithm) uses conditional probability to automate the process of recommending content. Then, in the conclusion, the author offers ways to extend that knowledge by teaching students that when they use social media to sign up to various websites (e.g., using Facebook to sign up for Amazon), they often give both platforms permission to exchange their personal information (e.g., shopping patterns and browser histories). Therefore, social media sites such as Facebook can exploit the information from other sites to perform tailored ad campaigns. This lesson is not designed to introduce the concept of conditional probability; rather, these activities offer students opportunities to apply their skills to real-life situations. Students should have a working knowledge of probability before attempting these activities.