How to follow this tutorial
===========================

* Download and install the items from class requirements to a single directory on your local machine. 
* Open up an R ide
* Unpack all the zip files with the datasets into your R working directory
* Open up the class_script.r file which contains the complete tutorial
* Walk through the class_script executing each line as you come to it and reading the comments
* If you have questions or note an issue in the script feel free to email me: baconner AT gmail DOT com 


Class Requirements
==================

R: http://www.r-project.org/


A Few Alternate IDEs (optional - base R includes an IDE)
--------------------------------------------------------
JGR: http://www.rforge.net/JGR/
RStudio: http://www.rstudio.org/
RKWard - http://rkward.sourceforge.net/
...

Class Data
----------

California STAR standardized test scores

2010:
http://star.cde.ca.gov/star2010/ResearchFileList.asp?ps=true&lstTestYear=2010&lstTestType=C&lstCounty=37&lstDistrict=&lstSchool=&lstGroup=1&lstSubGroup=1

2009:
http://star.cde.ca.gov/star2009/ResearchFileList.asp?rf=True&ps=True

File Format Documentation
http://star.cde.ca.gov/star2010/research_fixfileformat.asp


Many more related sets can be found on the STAR program homepage.
http://star.cde.ca.gov/star2010/Index.asp


For more interesting local data sets to play with check out:
http://flashlight.opensandiego.org/


Other R Resources
=================
CRAN
http://cran.r-project.org/
CRAN is a network of ftp and web servers around the world that store identical, up-to-date, versions of code and documentation for R. 

R-Forge 
http://r-forge.r-project.org/
Offers a central platform for the development of R packages, R-related software and further projects



Recommended Further Education
=============================

Stack Overflow - R
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/tagged/r
A good place to ask questions about R

Data Mashups in R
http://my.safaribooksonline.com/book/-/9781449305574
Very similar to this course this is a short but detailed tutorial on pulling in data from the web, manipulating it in R, and building plots and maps with it.

R Cookbook
http://my.safaribooksonline.com/book/programming/r/9780596809287
A long list of quick how-do-i-do-X solutions in R. A handy reference book

GGPlot2, the book
http://had.co.nz/ggplot2/book/

Simple R - Using R for Introductary Statistics
http://www.amazon.com/Using-Introductory-Statistics-John-Verzani/dp/1584884509
An introduction to basic statistics using R as a platform for teaching. Some of this book is available on the web in digital form for free.

How to Lie with Statistics
http://www.amazon.com/How-Lie-Statistics-Darrell-Huff/dp/0393310728
A classic book on how to spot statistical errors and how to avoid drawing the wrong conclusions from your own work in statistics. Good for beginners who want to avoid making common mistakes. Plus the illustrations are classic 1950s infographics.

Khan Academy - Statistics
http://www.khanacademy.org/?video=statistics--the-average#statistics
Khan produces great educational videos on a variety of topics many with a focus on basic math. This is a good free resource to learn basic statistics via video.

Show Me the Numbers
http://www.amazon.com/Show-Me-Numbers-Designing-Enlighten/dp/0970601999
A good introductary to key data visualization principals. This book distills a lot of what we know about visual perception into an easy to understand guide.