This is a session of Topic 6: Statistics education, training and the workplace
(Thursday 15th, 14:00-16:00)
Service learning and statistics: integrating statistics education into the workplace
Organizer
- Ann A O’Connell (United States)
Abstract
Service learning courses offer students an opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills through organized credit-bearing educational experiences embedded in the workplace. In recent years, there has been a remarkable growth in the development of service learning courses world-wide. These experiential courses challenge students to move beyond typical mastery of course content by engaging them in real-world problems where they can actively apply their knowledge and make a genuine impact within their own communities. Consequently, workplace/campus partnerships in service learning can address community needs as well as instill a sense of personal contribution and social responsibility among students.Research on the effects of service learning shows that successful courses have benefits to the workplaces they serve as well as to students. Statistics education programs have a wonderful opportunity to capitalize on current trends in support of service learning, particularly given that statistical knowledge and the evaluation and use of data are applicable to diverse workplace sectors and are critical elements of an evidence-based society. However, there are many challenges regarding the successful inclusion of service learning coursework into the statistics education curriculum. For example, how can statistics service learning partnerships be effectively designed to ensure satisfaction by diverse workplace partners? What do relevant models of service learning coursework within statistics programs as well as within other disciplines teach us about the components and structure of successful service learning courses/experiences? What opportunities are available for international service-learning in statistics?
Our session on service learning and statistics will begin to address these questions. The presentations in this session will focus on experiences, challenges and opportunities for designing service learning coursework in statistics.
Papers
| Paper | Title | Presenter(s) / Author(s) |
| 6F1 | Combining on- and off-campus service-learning in a statistics methods course | Debra Hydorn (United States) |
| 6F2 | Service-learning for statistics students in the global health arena | Julie Legler (United States) |
| 6F3 | STATCOM @ UHASSELT: yet another benefit for all parties | Herbert Thijs (Belgium) |
| 6F4 | Promoting opportunities for statistics service-learning at a large urban university | Golden Jackson (United States) |