Elementary Statistics Laboratory Workshop

传统上，初级统计学的学生只把实验和数据看作文本中的单词和数字。他们将数字代入公式，并对简要描述的实验得出结论。他们很少或根本没有接触到样本选择，数据收集，实验设计，随机化，统计模型的开发等重要的统计活动，总之，他们离开第一门课程，没有对应用统计学和统计学家在科学调查中的作用有深刻的理解。利用国家科学基金会以前的支助，南卡罗来纳州大学成功地建立了初级统计实验室课程的原型。该实验室可以代替一些传统的讲座或除了传统的课程，允许学生在团队中工作，设计和执行实验，收集和分析数据，并作出书面报告。建议在全国范围内培训初级统计教师骨干，使他们掌握以有意义的实验室实践经验补充传统初级统计讲座的技巧。将对两组24名教师进行培训。初步培训将包括为期五天的讲习班。研讨会将允许教师体验17个实验室课程中的10个。还将讨论在实验室环境中有效的教学策略，获得用品和设备的物流，以及使用实验室的不同可能形式。参加讲习班的教师将被要求在下一年的初级统计课程中使用至少两个实验室经验，并鼓励他们开发至少一个新的初级统计实验室实验。将建立一个电子讨论小组，以便在讲习班结束后，教师和项目小组之间进行互动。

Students in elementary statistics traditionally see experiments and data merely as words and numbers in a text. They plug numbers into formulas and make conclusions about briefly described experiments. They receive little or no exposure to the important statistical activities of sample selection, data collection, experimental design, randomization, development of statistical models, etc. In short, they leave the first course without a firm understanding of the role of applied statistics and the statistician in scientific investigations. Using previous support from the NSF, a successful prototype elementary statistics laboratory course has been established at the University of South Carolina. The laboratory, which can be taken in lieu of some traditional lectures or in addition to the traditional course, allows students to work in teams to design and perform experiments, collect and analyze data, and make written reports. It is proposed to train a nationwide cadre of elementary statistics teachers in the techniques of supplementing traditional elementary statistics lectures with meaningful hands-on laboratory experiences. Two groups of 24 teachers will be trained. Initial training will involve a five-day workshop. The workshops will allow the teachers to experience ten of the 17 laboratory sessions. There will also be discussions on effective teaching strategies in the laboratory setting, the logistics of obtaining supplies and equipment, and different possible formats for using the labs. Teachers attending the workshop will be expected to use at least two laboratory experiences in an elementary statistics course in the following year and encouraged to develop at least one new elementary statistics laboratory experiment. An electronic discussion group will be developed to allow for interaction among the teachers and the project team after the completion of the workshops.