Experience is the best teacher

Because of the abstract nature of fundamental concepts in statistics, full understanding of the most basic concepts can be elusive for students. While some students are apt at mimicking the professor's choice of terminology or application of a particular procedure, they often lack an intuitive feel for or visualization of key concepts. As professors, we need to be aware that correct answers do not necessarily indicate understanding. We need to give students experiences that go beyond textbook exercises in order to prove their understanding of statistical concepts and then to push students to deeper levels of understanding. Group projects, based on real or simulated data, are an effective means of accomplishing these goals.