Statistical Worksheets with Applets MAA Spring Meeting March 12, 2005 Supported by NSF-DUE

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 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 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 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 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 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 New Web Site being Developed Current web site is at Let’s take a look!

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! Statistics Worksheets with Applets –Pronounced (swop-lets) –Sample at Must complete exercises on each page before you can move to the next Last Page of Swapplet has exercises and box so results can be sent to instructor

Incorrect Answer results in a hint!

Thank you! Any Questions?