Transfer Activity: A Handful of Beans

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Transfer Activity Overview

Overview

As the culminating activity of the module, the Transfer Activity provides an example of a typical situation that you may encounter in your career.

In this Transfer Activity, you set up and run a lima bean packaging company as a simulation of a manufacturing enterprise. In this context, you gather data, analyze the data (using statistical descriptors that you have studied in this module), and display the data in a control chart. You then use the control chart to help monitor the process and keep it under control.

By displaying the data in a control chart, you are better able to describe the variability of processes. You also will have greater appreciation for the usefulness of measures of central tendency and variability.

You apply the following competencies developed in the ALTs:

  • Collect, process, and display data so that usable information is represented (Comp. 1).
  • Prepare basic charts and graphs (Comp. 2).
  • Make inferences based on data analysis
    (Comp. 3).
  • Apply measures of central tendency and variability (Comp. 4).
  • Solve real-world problems by designing and/or conducting a statistical experiment and by interpreting and communicating the outcome (Comp. 5).
  • Describe in general terms the normal curve and use its properties to make conjectures about sets of data that are normally distributed (Comp. 6).

Materials and Equipment
1 graphing calculator, such as model TI-82, TI-85, or TI-86

Safety and Disposal
Do not eat the beans. Store beans properly to avoid spoilage.

Pre-Activity

To prepare for the Transfer Activity:

  • Read Information Sheet: Control Charts and Instruction Sheet: Beans by the Handful! from your Basic Statistical Variation Participant Journal.
  • Read more about control charts.
  • Review the following Learning Objects from
    ALT #1, ALT #2, ALT #3, and ALT #4.

Activity

In your team, complete the following:

  • Instruction Sheet: Beans by the Handful! and its accompanying data sheets
  • Data Sheet: Is Your Process in Control?
  • Instruction Sheet: Improving the Process and its accompanying data sheets
  • Data Sheet: Final Report

Post-Activity

Your team should now post all of its results from the data sheets and your team report to the discussion board.

Assessment
During the Transfer Activity, you work in teams to apply competencies developed in the ALTs. Your facilitator will use the Rubric for Evaluating the Transfer Activity to evaluate the application of competencies.

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