This paper is from Session 7A: Statistical literacy beyond the classroom

which comes under Topic 7: Statistical literacy in the wider society

Odyssey: a journey to lifelong statistical literacy

Presenter

• Milo Schield (Augsburg College, United States)

Abstract

Statistical literacy is the ability to read and interpret everyday statistics in tables, charts, statements, surveys and studies. This skill needs to be developed in college so it can be sustained after college. This skill is more about evaluation and critical thinking than about calculation, derivation and proof. Forums can be used to help students develop this statistical literacy skill online. This paper introduces Odyssey: a new kind of forum where all participants are anonymous, everyone grades everyone, and the system tabulates average scores for each participant. This super-forum has two big advantages. (1) Students like Odyssey: They think it is easy to use; they like being anonymous, seeing how others think and getting immediate feedback and grading; (2) Odyssey is scalable to large-lecture classrooms. Results from using this unique forum are presented. By dealing repeatedly with everyday statistics in the news, students take their first step toward lifelong statistical literacy.