Statistical Worksheets with Applets : Statistical Worksheets with Applets MAA Spring Meeting
March 12, 2005
Supported by NSF-DUE 0126682
Technology in Statistics : Technology in Statistics Allows Visualization
Allows Computation
Mean, Standard Deviation, Random Samples
Least squares line
Allows Case Studies/Data Exploration
Minitab for exploring extended applications
Simple “Data Mining” activities
But Technology also leads to : But Technology also leads to A Disjointed Combination of Different Media
Textbook and Exercises are Pencil&Paper
Supplements are placed on the web
Minitab/ActiveStats are often “stand alone” activities
Lots of Material that cannot be Assessed
Tests and Quizzes remain pencil&paper
Applets primarily for Illustration
Worksheet Assignments often mean Grade inflation
Avoiding the Pitfalls : Avoiding the Pitfalls Learning must be active
Applets must be integrated into assignments
Minitab, Maple, etc. must require some element of creativity
Students must be engaged
Create active learning environment
Require regular interactive assignments
Implementation at ETSU : Implementation at ETSU About 1200 students each semester
Idea is introduced in a classroom setting (the Mansion)
Online “homework” assignments require interaction and exploration of assignment
Next class meeting is in the statistics laboratory (The Stat Cave )
Stat Cave is for extensive Minitab Application
Benefits and Shortcomings : Benefits and Shortcomings Expected Benefits
Improved performance in gen. ed. experience
Better comprehension of statistics concepts
Better interaction between faculty and students
A Few Problems
High computer use leads to many computer repairs
Scheduling
Serving online courses
Unintended Benefits : Unintended Benefits Service to other departments
Sections for other disciplines in which “their” preferred stat package is used instead of Minitab
Specialized training for specific populations
Computer Science Laboratory Experiences
Sociology/Psychology sections
Biology-specific section
Improved retention and better attitudes
The Course Site : The Course Site New Web Site being Developed
Current web site is at http://www.etsu.edu/math/seier/1530/1530link.htm
Let’s take a look!
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The Next Step : The Next Step GOAL: To develop online worksheets that incorporate all 4 stages
Amenable for Lecture
Based on interactive exercises with applets
Utilize Minitab data
Include an assessment component
(Actually, Minitab experience will not be replaced, only augmented)
SWAPPLETS! : SWAPPLETS! Statistics Worksheets with Applets
Pronounced (swop-lets)
Sample at http://faculty.etsu.edu/knisleyj/swapplets/
Must complete exercises on each page before you can move to the next
Last Page of Swapplet has exercises and email box so results can be sent to instructor
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Thank you! : Thank you! Any Questions?