4A: Supportive activities for students learning how to communicate about data (Room 107)

Abstract

One of the most challenging aspects of teaching statistics can be helping students communicate their findings. We will explore structured learning approaches that can be implemented in a variety of different level courses to aid students in this task using activity-based modules. For an intermediate elective statistics course, we present an approach using “application days” and write-ups allowing students to prepare reports in a similar format to research papers where the techniques they are learning about are applied. For a capstone course, we implement an approach to the course research paper that includes: building in components from student reflections of previous work, writing discussions, and peer commentary on drafts. For an elective course focusing on statistics communication, students engage in storyboarding and preparing presentations/reports for a variety of audiences. We hope you can avoid reinventing the wheel after attending the session. Most statistics instructors have little training in how to prepare students for communication/writing assignments, but it is crucial for our students to be able to “Communicate with/about Data.” This session will provide examples, including demonstrations, and sample materials for instructors who want their students to become more adept at sharing their results, whether through writing, presentations, or other means. We hope that the participants will engage with one another outside of the conference as they continue to advance the curriculum around "Communicating with/about Data".

Activities and materials for the session can be found in: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3iq0pgp3em8ltdk/AADXBXEP6uPGjzyLtW98wpfca?dl=0