Literature Index

In this paper we will briefly address the use of microcomputers in the classroom to enhance data collection and data analysis for stochastic experiments. The approach that we have in mind is appropriate for middle school (lower secondary) students, secondary school students, preservice teachers at the college and university level, and inservice teachers doing post-baccalaureate work.

We are proposing a statistical methods sequence, each having separate lecture-based and stat laboratory components. First, the lecture-based courses will allow a through examinations of the "when to" and "what-to", while the statistical lab will not only expose the student to the "how-to", but through simulations and discipline related problems motivate and demonstrate the underlying concepts discussed in the course lectures. The components should compliment each other, rather than be adversarial. Secondly, on many campuses across the country questions arise concerning how to incorporate writing in the undergraduate curriculum. The MTH 441/442 sequence is a perfect venue for incorporating student writing in a mathematics course. One objective of this revised MTH 441/442 sequence is to encourage student development of writing skills. The assignment in the stat lab sessions are to be completed in a report format. Using the edit options in the Primos System (if done on the mainframe) or the available text editing software on the PC, the student will be expected to "clean-up" the output from the statistical package and coherently express their analysis of the results in a written report. Not only should the statistical lab contribute to their mastery of the "how-to" of packages such as Minitab, SPSSx, and SAS, but the student should benefit from gaining stronger written communications skills.

In this article we present an approach for teaching and learning statistical concepts by implementing computer-assisted hands-on activities that emphasize the process of guided learning and discovery knowledge.

Describes a study that was designed to examine whether the computer attitudes of graduate students in a beginning statistics course differed based on their prior computer experience and the type of statistical analysis package used. Versions of statistical analysis packages using a mainframe and a microcomputer are compared. (14 references) (LRW)