This paper is from Session 3D: Statistics instructors’ use of technology for teaching statistics

which comes under Topic 3: Education and development of staff who teach statistics

Using the Open Learning Initiative (OLI) to support teaching statistics to international politics students

Presenter

• Parina Patel (Georgetown University, United States)

Co-author

• Oded Meyer (Georgetown University, United States)

Abstract

The School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University offers statistics courses for international politics students which include a lab component. The labs are supposed to support the lectures and enhance the courses’ learning objectives. The TA-led lab structure, however, failed to achieve this goal. In an effort to use the lab time more effectively, the labs were replaced with web-based modules using Carnegie Mellon’s Open Learning Initiative (OLI) platform. OLI is a scientifically-based, interactive online learning environment that has been shown to increase students’ learning when used to support face-to-face instruction. Our paper will discuss the design process of the modules and the features of the OLI platform which lead to effective learning processes. We will also present preliminary assessments and how statistics instructors can take advantage of the OLI platform to create materials to support their teaching.