Lost: Assessing Student Survival Skills in the Statistical Wilderness Using Real Data

• Activity Number: 156
• Type: Topic Contributed
• Date/Time: Monday, July 30, 2012 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Statistical Education
• Author(s): Marc Isaacson*+
• Companies: Augsburg College
• Keywords: Statistical Literacy ; Introductory Statistics ; Classroom Activity ; Reading Tables ; Reading Graphs ; Assessment

Abstract

This presentation describes a classroom assessment activity using a 2 page "Quick Facts" summary of a U.S. government produced survey on Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife. With a combination of summary statistics, tables and graphs, this activity probes student understanding of topics which are often considered fly-over territory by many introductory statistics instructors. The results and discussion of this activity provide instructors with insight into the preparation and background knowledge of students entering introductory statistics. In addition, it becomes an excellent vehicle for demonstrating and introducing the need for statistical literacy skills using real-world data in a context that is familiar to many students and not discipline specific. Results from over 200 students at multiple schools will be discussed along with recommendations for instructors on improving student performance on these important yet often-ignored topics.