Resources for Statistics Traveling Workshop
Friday, May 31, 2018, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
8 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. Ice Breaker
It’s the first day of class. Now what? This ice breaker will be a Guessing Ages Activity that can be used as a first day activity in a statistics class. It was adapted from page 11 of Teaching Statistics: A Bag of Tricks. It is a good activity for students to be able to work in small groups to guess the ages of people and it gives a chance to briefly review how to find the mean with students, a topic that they should already know from a Pre-Algebra class.
9 a.m. – 10 a.m. Introduction and Overview
In this session, the presenter will give an overview of The GAISE College Report, which begins by synthesizing the history and current understanding of introductory statistics courses and then lists goals for students based on statistical literacy. The presenter will also discuss the report’s six recommendations for introductory statistics courses. This will help set the tone and the framework for the importance of the other sessions throughout the workshop.
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Bringing the STATS to M.I.S.S.O.U.R.I.
In this session, the presenter will discuss some of the challenges that might arise when teaching a statistics course and some of the examples, activities, and projects that he uses in his own classes. Participants will have a chance to discuss how these examples stress statistical literacy, thinking, and computational understanding, rather than only computational skills. That’s right, we’re bring the STATS to M.I.S.S.O.U.R.I. (Mean, Interquartile range, Sample variance, Scatterplot, Ordinal variable, Unimodal, Regression, Independent variable).
Regression and Correlation Lab
Entire Course Pack for Triola (Winter 2018 Version)
Noon – 1 p.m. Lunch
1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Vocabulary and Critical Thinking in the Statistics Classroom
In this presentation, the presenter will share some activities that he has used to help students in his courses improve their statistical vocabulary and literacy. Data will be shown from a grant that was done to research the use of vocabulary activities in a statistics course. The final grades increased in the course compared to previous semesters with a p-value of .007. The presenter will also share some prompts that he uses to help students with critical thinking. These activities are short and can easily be adapted for any statistics class.
Statistics Glossary (For Triola 12th Edition)
The Teacher's Corner (Free Match-Up and Crossword Creator)
Critical Thinking in Context and Normal Practice
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. The Next Generation of Activities and Projects for the Classroom
This presentation will include a look at some of the most recent activities and projects that the presenter has tried with his classes, which cover a broad range of topics and interests. Every semester, the presenter has students create displays for his college’s library, focusing on such topics as Chinese Statisticians or Innovation in Mathematics. Examples and guidance will be given on how to incorporate these into a classroom. In addition, examples of smaller projects and in-class labs will be given. The end goal is to help students think critically and apply the course material in a new way.
Projects
Past Exhibit Descriptions and Brochures
Statistics Projects Ideas (Winter 2017 - Macomb County)
Statistics Projects Ideas (Winter 2018 - Harlem Renaissance)
Reports
Sampling Distribution Assignment (Using Wolfram Alpha)
Probability in the Real World Report
Labs
Type I and II Error Lab (student version)
Type I and II Error Lab (teacher version)
Using the Height and Shoe Size Data to Introduce Correlation and Regression
3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. Debriefing Day #1
What is one thing that you have learned today? Is there anything that you think should have been covered? This will the time to let the presenter know, but it will be done in a unique way using the ‘Debriefing Thumball.’
Debriefing Thumball (P.S. - I found a cheaper price on Amazon)
Saturday, June 1, 2018, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
8 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. Ice Breaker
It’s the day before a test and you don’t want to do the same old review as usual. Now what? If you have kids, you have heard of the Hedbanz Game. But did you also know that there is a Hedbandz Adult Game? This ice breaker will be a game of Hedbanz that has been modified for use in the statistics classroom.
Disposable Headbands (100 count)
Disposable Headbands (48 count)
9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Excel and StatCrunch
In this session, an introduction to Excel and StatCrunch will be given. There will be a discussion of how the use of technology allows more class time to emphasize statistical literacy throughout the course. Participants will be given an introductory Excel and StatCrunch activity on their own.
StatCrunch Card (from Pearson)
Statistical Analysis with Excel For Dummies Cheat Sheet
10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Real World Data
In this session, participants will work through an example involving the use of real world data. Then, the presenter will share ideas of where to find real world data, including The National Weather Service, and The National Center for Education Statistics. Participants will be given an opportunity to create an activity involving the use of real world data on their own, which will be shared with everyone after the workshop.
The Mathematics of Weight Loss (Example)
Participant Submissions
Analyzing Child Poverty in Missouri Counties
Analyzing Child Poverty in Missouri Counties (data file)
Avoiding Hypoglycemia in Puppies
Census at School (data file)
Does it Pay - MLB Salaries vs. Wins
Exploring St. Louis Cardinals Data
Baseball Reference (baseball data website)
The Cost of Higher Education (visual displays lab)
Transforming Data into a Useful Display
12 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. Debriefing Day #2
What is one thing that you have learned today? Is there anything that you think should have been covered? This will the time to let the presenter know, but it will be done in a unique way using the ‘Debriefing Thumball.’
12:30 p.m. – 1 p.m. Lunch
Bonus Stuff
Statistics Mindmap of Resources
WabbitEmu (TI-83/84 Emulator for Computer and Android)
Alternating Series Article (for a Calculus II class)
Against All Odds Statistics Videos and Worksheets
Book Suggestions
A Guide to Teaching Statistics
Teaching Statistics: A Bag of Tricks
Articles for Students
Why You Should Read That Whole Textbook Right Now
Attention, Students: Put Your Laptops Away
Your Parents Are Correct, Scholars Report: Studying Pays Off
Google Searching
Power Searching with Google (Free course)