Contributed Paper C290
In session C4C (Tuesday 10th, 11:00-12:30, Level 2 - Seminar Room 1)Challenges for Independent Student Projects: A Perspective of the Teacher
Authors
Layla Guyot (Texas State University, United States)Amanda Walker (Texas State University, United States)
Alexander White (Texas State University, United States)
Presenter
Layla Guyot (United States)Abstract
Including independent student projects in an introductory statistics course allows students to engage in the process of data analysis by applying and connecting concepts learned throughout the semester (Chance, 2002). Course projects provide opportunities for the students to investigate data in a context that is meaningful to them and to practice statistical analysis. From our experience, students may face different obstacles during the data analysis process such as posing ambitious statistical questions, collecting data from reliable sources, or going beyond the scope of the course. These challenges require the teacher to be an expert in many different fields. Case studies of student independent projects are discussed, enlightening challenges encountered from the perspective of the teacher and what worked to support students’ opportunities to learn.