Instructors,
As you may know, we recently received NSF funding (DUE-1323210) to
facilitate assessment of (algebra-based) introductory statistics courses,
with a focus on gaining a better understanding of potential differences in
student learning between “traditional” and simulation/randomization-based
introductory statistics courses. As such, we are asking you to consider
having your students participate in the assessment project *regardless of
how much (if any) simulation- and randomization-based inference methods you
use in your course*. As a thank you for your participation, we are happy to
offer a $100 stipend and a customized report on your students’ performance
in your class. If you are interested in participating, please fill out this
short survey, as soon as possible, but early enough to allow time to set up
individualized links for your class before your term starts:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9SYS8H3. Instructors are signing up now for
classes which begin after January 1.
Some brief details follow, with answers to some commonly asked questions
here <http://homepages.dordt.edu/ntintle/faqs.pdf>.
1. Students in your introductory statistics course (undergraduate or
high school level) will take a pre-test (preferably before the course
starts, but no later than the first week of classes). The “test” contains
multiple choice questions that assess conceptual understanding and student
attitudes toward statistics. Most students take approximately 45 minutes
to complete the test. The test is administered completely online (we will
provide you the link). Students can complete the test either inside or
outside of class. See the FAQ for more information on encouraging student
participation and IRB including opt-out options. After the closing date
you specify, we will send you the student names and individual performance
data. At the end of your course, students will take a single multiple
choice, online post-test about attitudes and concepts (or, for the
post-test only, separated concepts and attitudes tests). Again, we’ll
provide you the individualized link.
2. Assuming your sections attain at least 75% participation rates, and
you fill out a brief (<30 minute) survey about your course (e.g., size,
pedagogy, classroom technology, etc.) at the conclusion of the course, you
will receive the stipend and customized report.
We anticipate publishing a series of articles on the data gathered as part
of this project. Neither student-nor instructor-level information will be
reported individually (only in aggregate) in these articles. If you are
interested in participating but have questions about your institution’s
IRB, please contact us as well.
Again, if you are interested in participating, please fill out this short
survey, as soon as possible, but early enough to allow time to set up links
for your class before your semester starts:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9SYS8H3 . After we receive your survey
responses, you will be contacted directly by us with more
information/details.
Please direct additional questions to either Cindy Nederhoff (assessment
administrator: cindy.nederhoff(a)dordt.edu) or Nathan Tintle (project
director: nathan.tintle(a)dordt.edu).
Thanks for considering this,
Nathan Tintle (on behalf of the PIs: Nathan Tintle, Beth Chance, Dennis
Pearl, Soma Roy and Todd Swanson)
--
Nathan Tintle, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Statistics and Dept. Chair
Director for Research and Scholarship
Dordt College
Sioux Center, IA 51250
nathan.tintle(a)dordt.edu
Phone: (712) 722-6264
Office: SB1612