Contributed Paper C104
In session C9A (Thursday 12th, 11:00-12:30, Level 3 - Conference Room B)Cognitive transfer assessment in post-secondary statistics
Authors
Matthew Beckman (Pennsylvania State University, USA)Robert delMas (University of Minnesota, USA)
Presenter
Matthew Beckman (United States)Abstract
This mixed-methods study describes learning outcomes related to cognitive transfer among post-secondary students upon completion of a first course in statistics and makes a case for emphasis of such outcomes as part of the curriculum. A new assessment tool called the Introductory Statistics Understanding and Discernment Outcomes (ISTUDIO) assessment tool was developed and administered to nearly 2000 students attending a wide variety of post-secondary institutions primarily in the United States. Students were observed to demonstrate measurable evidence of both forward-reaching and backward-reaching transfer outcomes. Unexpected response patterns revealed by the analysis of constructed response tasks are presented. Implications for teaching and research are discussed with attention toward both simulation-based and non-simulation-based introductory statistics curricula.