The Central Limit Theorem in the Journal of Statistics Education

• Activity Number: 398
• Type: Topic Contributed
• Date/Time: Tuesday, August 3, 2010 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Statistical Education
• Author(s): Juana Sanchez*+ and Nicolas Christou and Ivo Dinov
• Companies: University of California, Los Angeles and University of California, Los Angeles and University of California, Los Angeles
• Keywords: Assessment ; Central Limit Theorem ; Applets ; Innovative methods

Abstract

One of the suggested topics in the Journal of Statistics Education (JSE) mission statement includes innovative methods of instruction and use of the computer. One such innovative effort of using technological tools for improving student motivation and learning of the theory, practice and usability of the Central Limit Theorem (CLT) in probability and statistics courses is the SOCR CLT applet and activities created for its use. We demonstrates this applet and put the application in the context of other studies that give insight on students' understanding of the CLT. We also place the applet in the path of other instructional methods intended to educate on the assumptions, meaning and implications of the CLT with the use of technology or other hands on activities. We conclude with motivations for further research.