Innovative Changes to Stat Ed Curriculum I: Motivating Students to Read the Text Using Daily Quizzes

• Activity Number: 654
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Thursday, August 13, 2015 : 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM
• Sponsor: Section on Statistical Education
• Author(s): George Recck*
• Companies: Babson College
• Keywords: assessment ; class participation ; flipping the classroom ; pre-class preparation ; student engagement

Abstract

Recently, Babson College transitioned its freshmen introduction to business analytics classes from a 75-minute lecture-based format to a 95-minute activity enhanced format. In order for this format to succeed, it is imperative that the students read the material before coming to class. During the first year, the inducement to reading the material was the knowledge that they would be asked to use that knowledge during the class. This past year we have experimented with a short 5-minute quiz at the beginning of class. In some sections this quiz was given in a paper format while others used an internet-browser approach. The purpose of this was four-fold. 1) To encourage the students to read the material. 2) To allow us to monitor their familiarity with the material. 3) To allow us to collect information about their reading experience. 4) Increase class participation. The student experience with their reading habits will assist us in better planning for the future. This presentation will describe our findings and make recommendations as to the importance and future role such quizzes will play in our quantitative courses.