Fathom is a statistical software package specifically designed for instruction on data analysis. Students can create various types of graphs including histograms, bar graphs, line plots, and modified box plots with the click of a mouse. Fathom displays on one page all calculations and graphs for a data set as well as the data set itself. Students can manipulate data by dragging points within graphs and examine the effects of this change on simple statistical measures.
The advantages of using Fathom are that it is a much quicker way to make graphs than having to do them by hand. Also, the student can see multiple representations of the data all at the same time so the student can decide which representation best fits their learning style and compare and contrast the various representations. A disadvantage of using Fathom would be that students would forget how to do graphing by hand. It is important for students to understand how to use technology but they still need to understand how they could draw the graphs themselves. Also, Fathom does not draw every type of graph there is.
Generally, Fathom is marketed to secondary and post- secondary educators. However, its user friendly features allow for use in the elementary and middle grades settings as well.
To learn more about Fathom you can visit:
Fathom Dynamic Data Software
Fathom Data
I find that Fathom is very useful. I use it in one of my courses I am taking now and it is extremely useful. Graphing all the data on the computer is so much easier than doing it by hand. Fathom is really easy to use, too. In my opinion, I think that students should be taught how to use the software, but also make sure they can graph and chart by hand.
~Crystal Smith
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