Elementary Statistics Laboratory Workshop

基础统计学专业的学生传统上认为实验和数据仅仅是文本中的单词和数字。他们在公式中插入数字，并根据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、建立统计模型等重要的统计活动。简而言之，他们离开了第一个课程，没有对应用统计学和统计学家在科学调查中的作用有明确的认识。利用国家科学基金会以前的支持，南卡罗来纳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课，也可以作为传统课程的补充，允许学生以小组形式设计和执行实验，收集和分析数据，并做出书面报告。建议对全国初级统计教师队伍进行培训，使其掌握用有意义的动手实验室经验补充传统的初级统计讲座的技巧。两组共24名教师将接受培训。初步培训将包括为期五天的研讨会。工作坊将让教师体验17节实验课程中的10节。还将讨论实验室环境中的有效教学策略、获得用品和设备的后勤以及使用实验室的不同可能形式。参加讲习班的教师将在下一年的初级统计课程中使用至少两个实验室经验，并鼓励教师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，以便教师和项目小组在讲习班结束后进行互动。

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.