Week 0 and 1 Action Plan & to do's ~ to be updated in Nov 19 for 2020 class

Watch this first! This short video provides a course overview as well as the do's and don'ts of studying statistics.

A short video introduction to the Launchpad. Use this link to get an overview of the program.

Week 0 (from Dec. 10 to Jan. 7) ~ Getting Ready

I already sent this out via MyCourses and email:

  1. Watch the following introductory video: https://youtu.be/6uGI-N4F5LM. Pay particular attention to section on what you need to do to succeed in this course ~ stats are not like other courses. Also watch the Mindtap software intro: https://youtu.be/0nW4wyoCt6U?t=7 .
  2. Complete the following Google Form: https://goo.gl/forms/Xev1QjcP20B85UsB3 Be sure to answer all the questions. As well, be sure to specify which day and time you are available weekly for an hour.
  3. Using your smartphone, click on the following link and use the + button —> introduce yourself to the class by answering the prompts on the Flipgrid. Don't over think this ~ should take you 4 to 5 minutes max. Just have fun. This will help build our online community: https://flipgrid.com/38b860f0 .
  4. Purchase text: https://login.nelsonbrain.com/cb/entitlement.htm?code=MTPQ-811P-KSXD .

Once you purchase text run the following diagnostic test to see if your browser works

  1. Review & complete APPENDIX A: Basic Math Review in textbook (pp. 625 to 645) ~ if you are comfortable with basic math you can do this during the first week of course ~ that's when the course officially starts. (Mathematical Thinking ~ YouTube)
    • Keep track of how well you did in this section, if you need refresher ask us.
  2. Join Mighty Network class site: http://edpe575.mn.co Write 1st post and introduce yourself.
  3. Look over basic course info ~ please bookmark links:


I like her tongue-in-check approach. Pay particulat attentin to 'technique' section starting at 1 min. 19 seconds in...

The trick to studying statistics is to be prepared and spend a little time each day, instead of cramming.

Resources, videos and tips will be shared. The videos, while optional, will help you with the 'big' picture

Excellent series currently being produced, weekly. As of August, 2018 there are 28 short videos. Watch 1 or 2 episodes to see if you like series. The videos range from 1 minute to less than 14 minutes.

This is a screenshot for CENGAGE materials.

Complete the Basic Math Review and watch the Getting Started video IDEALLY before the first class.

DECIDE WHICH STUDY TOOLS YOU WILL USE FROM CENGAGE PICK WHAT WORKS FOR YOU. After a couple of weeks I won't post the screenshots as logging into CENGAGE will become second nature.

Any issues logging in use the support info from CENGAGE to solve your tech issue by emaIling or calling them directly. If they don't respond then text or email me (Sam) so I can follow up.

This is week 1 overview or advance organizer (optional)

Week 1 (Jan. 7 to Jan. 14th) ~ Introduction to Statistics (ch. 1 pp. 1 to 33)


  1. Make sure week 0 activities listed above are completed. This includes watching the videos listed above.
  2. You may watch an advanced organizer on chapter 1 (video 1.3)
  3. Read Chapter 1: Introduction to Statistics p. 1 to 33. Complete the learning checks in the chapter as you read.
  4. Do the End of Chapter Problems (even number only). Answers to odd numbered problems found in textbook appendix
  5. Complete the Chapter 1 Problem Set. We will decide by class 3 whether to grade the end of chapter problems OR the problem set questions. Only 1 will count towards your grade.
  6. Join and participate in one of the 3 weekly required ZOOM sessions:
    1. Session A: TBD
    2. Session B: TBD
    3. Session C: TBD
  7. Before taking the quiz review the learning objectives to reinforce the most important material:
    1. Define the terms population, sample, parameter, and statistics and describe relationships between them.
    2. Define descriptive and inferential statistics. Describe how these two general categories of statistics are used in a typical research study.
    3. Describe the concept of sampling error and explain how this concept creates the fundamental problem that inferential statistics much address.
    4. Differentiate correlational, experimental, and non-experimental research and describe the data structures associated with each.
    5. Define independent, dependent, and quasi-independent variables and recognize examples of each.
    6. Explain why operational definitions are developed for constructs and define the two components of an operational definition.
    7. Describe discrete and continuous variables and identify examples of each.
    8. Differentiate nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio scales of measurement.
    9. Identify what is represented by each of the following symbols: X, Y, N, n and ∑
    10. Perform calculations using summation notation and other mathematical operations following the correct order of operations.
    11. Look over Sam's notes on the chapter 1 (this is posted on MyCourses) ~ due to copyright restrictions. Some weeks there will be a video component with the notes.
  8. Post your bi-weekly thoughts, comments, questions, and/or observations on Mighty Networks (https://edpe575.mn.co/) Be sure to give you post a title and use #week1 TAG. You may also answer, like, or comment on other student posts. There's a lot of proven research on the importance of metacognition ~ i.e. thinking about your thinking ~ while learning something new. Mighty Network provides another 'lens' into our course.

Please note all of the above should be done by Sunday, January 13th (with the exception of your Mighty Network reflection ~ you may want to wait until after you've finished your chapter quiz).

You may take the chapter 1 test between January 13th and January 20th at the latest. The quiz is made up of 20 questions and you will be allowed 2 takes.

Don't procrastinate in doing the quiz, as the cycle begins again during this time for the next chapter.

Here are screenshots of what the different sections look like online:

Try and spread out over several days. The end of chapter problems solutions for odd numbered questions are given in Appendix C.

The problem set gives you another way of understanding the chapter objectives.

We will decide by class 3 which end of chap activity will count towards your grade along with the chapter test.

The demonstration library is found at the bottom of the Cengage LMS ~ after chapter 18 with the online version.

The tutorial library is found right after the Problem Demonstration Library.