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eCOTS-2012 Validating an Interactive Approach to Teach Large Statistics Classes Based on the GAISE Recommendations Ramon Gomez Senior Instructor Dept. of Math & Statistics Florida International University E-mail: [email protected] University’s Main Campus Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics Education (GAISE) Recommendations • Foster active learning • Develop statistical thinking • Stress conceptual understanding rather than mere knowledge of procedures • Access to real data • Use technology to develop conceptual understanding and perform data analysis Course: Introduction to Statistics I (STA-2122) General Information • • • Three credit-hours course Topics 1. Descriptive Statistics 2. Probability 3. Inferential Statistics based on a single sample Text book: “Statistics” by McClave & Sincich (Chapters 1-8) Course: Introduction to Statistics I (STA-2122) General Information (cont’d) • Students: various majors (freshmen to seniors) • Classroom technology: computer projection system • Classroom board: Dry erase • Classroom (auditorium) capacity: 200-250 seats • Fall 2009 and Fall 2010 actual enrollment: 199 students each term Use of Technology Objective: To improve quality of instruction and students’ understanding 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Satisfy different learning styles Promote students’ active learning Use of real data sets Automated calculations and graphs More efficient use of class time Interactive learning experience Technology Resources Used • Website: online course materials • Scientific calculator equipped with statistical capabilities • PowerPoint: PP presentations developed by the instructor were used for all lectures. A course pack with the PP slides was available at the university bookstore. • PP presenter: provided Instructor with wide mobility in the classroom • Statistical Software: SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) output was integrated into the PP presentations Classrooms: Auditoriums Fall 2009 Fall 2010 Evaluation System • • • • Quizzes Two midterm tests Three (take-home) team assignments Cumulative final exam Preparing for Evaluations • Expectations were clearly stated • Objectives were described in detail • Cooperative learning was promoted Students’ Motivation and Performance Method Enrolled Drop %Retention Passed % Pass Traditional Fall 07 – Spring 09 224 15 93.3% 131 58.5% Interactive with Technology Fall 09 & Fall 10 398 13 96.7% 303 76.1% Students’ Satisfaction Overall Assessment of Instruction: Excellent/Very Good Opinions Fall 2007 – Spring 2009: 84% Fall 2009 & Fall 2010: 93% Validating an Interactive Approach to Teach Large Statistics Classes Based on the GAISE Recommendations Conclusions Use of technology resources (Power Point and SPSS) contributed to generate an interactive approach that improved the quality of instruction and students’ understanding Students motivation was outstanding Students’ performance compared favorably to previous groups with a more traditional teaching method Students’ satisfaction was very high This Interactive Approach based on the GAISE recommendations provided a very effective teaching-learning method for an introductory statistics course at college level