TEACHING INTRODUCTORY STATISTICS with WEB-BASED INTERACTIVE SONG ACTIVITIES

• Activity Number: 189 - Contributed Poster Presentations: Section on Statistical Education
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Monday, July 29, 2019 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Statistics and Data Science Education
• Author(s): Dennis Pearl* and Lawrence M Lesser and John Weber
• Companies: Penn State University and The University of Texas at El Paso and Perimeter College at Georgia State University
• Keywords: Song; Education; Teaching; Web App; Arts Integration

Abstract

The use of song in higher education spans many disciplines across the sciences (e.g. www.CAUSEweb.org/voices) and has many putative benefits, including reduced stress or anxiety, improved recall, and increased motivation or engagement. Suggested by prior findings, we have developed a new web-based resource for teaching with song where students interact with online prompts to make conceptual connections and provide examples that become part of a song highlighting their contributions. Twenty-seven songs covering many introductory statistics topics were developed along with associated prompts and assessment items to test their efficacy for learning. Students self-reported the tool was helpful in reducing anxiety, increasing engagement with the material, being relevant to their learning, and having a user-friendly interface. Analysis of keystroke data versus post-song assessments suggests the method to be effective for short-term learning. Summary results will be reported from randomized controlled experiments testing the effectiveness of 16 interactive songs conducted in 32 sections during the 2017-18 school year. Our song library and an overview video is at www.CAUSEweb.org/smiles.