Connecting the Dots: Ways to Enhance a Noncalculus-Based Introductory Statistics Course

• Activity Number: 177
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Monday, August 4, 2014 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Statistical Education
• Author(s): Adrienne Chu*+
• Keywords: statistical education ; technology in education

Abstract

Undergraduate students often take an introductory statistics course to fulfill either a graduation requirement or a requirement in their major. If the statistics course is not a discipline specific one (i.e. Statistics for Business Majors, Statistics for Nursing Students, etc.), not every student will enter the statistics course with the same mathematical background and same level of interest in the course. In this presentation, I will discuss various ways to motivate students as well as ways to get students to think outside the "textbook box" and to gain appreciation for the subject matter. My talk will include teaching methods, student activities, and online technology use to help students "connect the dots." Topics to be covered range from using statistical software, to using cartoon animations for concepts such as the central limit theorem, to using statistical concepts "backwards." My talk will be suitable for a non-calculus based introductory statistics course (two-year colleges or a freshmen-level course).