"Teaching precursors to data science in introductory and second courses in
statistics" with Nicholas J. Horton, Professor of Statistics, Amherst College
February 24 th , 2015 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time (note special time)
ABSTRACT: Statistics students need to develop the capacity to make sense of the staggering
amount of information collected in our increasingly data-centered world. Data science is
an important part of modern statistics, but our introductory and second statistics courses
often neglect this fact. This webinar discusses ways to provide a practical foundation for
students to learn to “compute with data” as defined by Nolan and Temple Lang (2010), as
well as develop “data habits of mind” (Finzer, 2013). We describe how introductory and
second courses can integrate two key precursors to data science: the use of reproducible
analysis tools and access to large databases. By introducing students to commonplace tools
for data management, visualization, and reproducible analysis in data science and applying
these to real-world scenarios, we prepare them to think statistically in the era of big
data.
Logistics : The webinar will be conducted using the GoToWebinar software platform. A
computer with internet access is all you need. GoToWebinar offers audio participation
through your computer microphone. For participants in the US and Canada, if you prefer
the telephone for audio participation, this feature is also available.
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this confirmation email as you will use this link to enter the webinar – you will also be
sent a reminder with the link two hours before the webinar begins. Once you leave the
webinar, you cannot re-enter. If you have not used GoToWebinar before, please review the
information below. The webinar will be recorded and the archived version will be available
on-line within a few days following the presentation, if you are unable to attend.
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voice to be heard by the presenters, if you wish to ask a question, GTW gives viewers the
option of VoIP (voice over the internet) or a telephone option for U.S. and Canadian
participants. VoIP will allow everyone from around the world to participate without
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presenter/audience.
GoToWebinar offers a short video, “ Attendee Quick Start (5:09) ”, which you may find
helpful:
http://support.citrixonline.com/en_US/GoToMeeting/video/GTMV00012
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work well for VoIP.
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* x86, x64 or ARM processor.
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