By Arthur Dryver, PhD 1 and Wasita Boonsathorn, PhD 2 1 Graduate School of Business Administration, NIDA 2 School of Human Resource Development, NIDA

Outline The power of random number generation Microsoft Excel has two main ways to leverage random number generation for teaching applied statistics 1. To create a lot of static problems 2. To create problem types with changing numbers Microsoft Excel Example: For updating and automatic grading for homework Summary

With a focus on teaching statistics

Random Number Generation Now most, if not all, software packages come with a preprogrammed random number generator. Many software packages, especially ones with statistical functions offer random number generators for most common statistical distributions. Examples: Microsoft Excel, SPSS, SAS, S-Plus, R, Etc.

Random Number Generation for Teaching Applied Statistics When teaching applied statistics, teachers often give students problems to solve with numbers. Generally the numbers are made up by the lecturer. In addition, typically, the lecturer would also have to solve the problems given.

Random Number Generation for Teaching Applied Statistics Teachers, wanting to avoid present students copying from previous batches of students in their class, would have to create new problems, at least new numbers for the problems each year. Again, typically, the lecturer would also have to solve the problems again. To provide students with an ample number of problems to practice and homework, etc., can be a large amount of work the teacher each year.

Random Number Generation for Teaching Applied Statistics Many students consider knowing the answer as understanding, which is often not true. For example, there is a big difference between knowing that 2+2=4 and understanding addition. The latter is one reason it is often important to give students problems to which they do not have the solution to.

Random Number Generation for Teaching Applied Statistics Through random number generation, teachers can create nearly an unlimited supply of applied statistical problems for each problem type. Now the teachers can focus on the problem types, scenarios accompanying the numbers and not the numbers in the problem.

1. To create a lot of static problems 2. To create problem types with changing numbers

Microsoft Excel Using random number generation in Microsoft Excel, it is possible to create many basic math and statistics problems. The words would not change but the function “rand()” could be used to create random numbers for each problem. The teacher could use the copy and paste function in Excel to create multiple problems from a single problem template in this manner. Finally, the teacher could copy paste special as values to make the numbers static.

Microsoft Excel Microsoft Excel can be used to create an almost infinite number of problems. The teacher can refresh the numbers on demand to change the numbers in the problem.

For updating and automatic grading for homework

For updating and automatic grading for homework using Microsoft Excel First, create a template sheet with random numbers for questions and formulas for checking answers.

Step 1: Create the problems in Excel. Create answer boxes for students to enter their Answers. I highlighted mine in yellow.

Correct answers using formulas. Change numbers and answers are still correct. Students answers using linked to yellow boxes Check if number equals correct answer within your given margin of error of 0.02 or whatever you choose. 1 if correct, 0 otherwise Sum of correct to get total score.

Highlight All Cells and “Lock” them.

Select all the “student answer cells” at once, hold “ctrl” button to select multiple cells – the ones in yellow. Right click and click on format cells. Go to protection and “unlock” – remove the check mark. This is necessary so that when you protect the worksheet students can still enter their answers on the yellow boxes.

Highlight everything you don’t want the student to see. Right click and click on “Hide” to hide the answers and stuff you want hidden, like their scores.

Right click on the sheet you wish to protect – make unchangeable except the answer boxes. Then click “protect sheet.” Enter a password and now only you can access the “locked “cells.

Check what you want users to be able to do. Then Enter password.

Re-enter password - microsoft asks twice. Also do not forget the password. If students ever get your password they can get the answers thus be careful about this. You’re Done!!!!!

Right click on the sheet you wish to unprotect – after students return their answers via and then unhide to get the grade on the students homework. For Grading Just unprotect and unhide the answers the students send back.

Reminder: Go over example with Excel.

Concluding Remarks

Summary – Concluding Remarks We must leverage computers to aid in the making of our teaching materials. Random number generation is one such way. Through random numbers we can offer students a nearly unlimited supply of problems to work out. Finally, think of the saying, “Practice makes perfect.” If nothing else, offering more problems for students to work on and practice with can only help.

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