The What, Why, and How of Guided Inquiry Exercises (GIEs)

• Activity Number: 443
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Tuesday, August 11, 2015 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Statistical Education
• Author(s): Kenneth Brown*
• Companies: College of San Mateo
• Keywords: Education ; Teaching ; First Course ; Exercises ; Flipped class ; Intro Course

Abstract

Guided Inquiry Exercises (GIEs) for statistics teaching are defined as a sequence of questions in the context of data analysis for students to answer, often involving data analysis using software. Examples are the exercises found in Rossman/Chance's Workshop Statistics (called there "activities") or Kuiper/Sklar's Practicing Statistics (called "investigations"). The Why: GIEs are congruent with emphasizing context, the process of data production, analysis and interpretation using real data available to students using software. GIEs fit in well with collaborative work by students in a flipped or semi-flipped course structure. The How: constructing GIEs, how they differ from skill-based exercises is discussed, with advice concerning the kinds of questions to be asked, writing unambiguously, as well as sequencing of questions. The classroom use of GIEs including decisions about marking, collaborative work, and the place of GIEs in the structure of the course, integration with other teaching materials, including links to possible projects, and potential problems and drawbacks are also discussed. Examples of GIEs are given.