1 How Random is the iPod’s Shuffle? Written by:

This activity teaches students to recognize characteristics of randomly sampled or randomly generated data. The context is randomly generated songs using an iPod Shuffle function. The activity begins with a claim that songs are not randomly generated using this Shuffle function. Students are given three samples of data: a set of 25 randomly generated playlists for students to use as a basis to describe characteristics of a random sample, in this case, a randomly generated playlist. After students come up with their ideas of what characteristics to look for, they are given a set of five additional playlists (also randomly generated) on which to test their rules. Once they feel confident that their rules can be used to determine if a set of songs have NOT been randomly generated, they are then given three disputed playlists, which students are asked to judge based on their rules. Students work in groups to examine the data, come up with rules, and finally, write a report about their finding and whether or not they believe the three disputed playlists were not randomly generated. This activity introduces the ideas of randomness, and the fact that each outcome is uncertain, but that predictable patterns emerge based on sets of outcomes in the long run. Note; this lesson was developed as part of the NSF-funded CATALST project but is perfectly adaptable to grades 6,