ERIC Number: EJ868315
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Nov
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1069-1898
EISSN: N/A
Student-Centered Instruction in a Theoretical Statistics Course
Bates Prins, Samantha C.
Journal of Statistics Education, v17 n3 Nov 2009
This paper provides an example of how student-centered instruction can be used in a theoretical statistics class. The author taught a two-semester undergraduate probability and mathematical statistics sequence using primarily teacher-centered instruction in the first semester and primarily student-centered instruction in the second semester. A subset of the students in the teacher-centered course also took the student-centered course. Student feedback suggests that the student-centered approach, while more difficult for both student and instructor, is beneficial when compared to the teacher-centered approach. The specific method of implementation will need to vary with class size and level of student preparation but the author's example presents a starting point for those interested in moving away from a traditional teaching approach in theoretical statistics classes. (Contains 3 figures.)
Descriptors: Class Size, Statistics, Probability, Student Centered Curriculum, Teaching Methods, Undergraduate Study, College Mathematics, Student Attitudes, Mathematics Instruction, Student Participation, Effect Size, Homework, Teacher Role, Student Role, Student Evaluation, Teacher Attitudes
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A