Improving Statistics Instruction

My ExperiencesUsing Various Delivery Methods

Raj SampathDeVry University

November 18, 2013

Founded 1931 by Herman DeVry. Was originally a technical institute. Earned University status in 2002. Offering degrees in: Electronics, Business,

IT. Year round eight week sessions: Jan/Feb,

Mar/Apr, etc. Proprietary data restrictions.

Devry University

Introductory statistics course for undergraduate business majors.

Course covers: Descriptive Statistics, Probability, HT and CI, and Regression.

The same curriculum taught for more than ten years in all delivery formats using same text.

So unique perspective to analyze effectiveness of various delivery methods.

The Course

More breadth and depth to course. More time for reinforcement activities. Separate lab class. Pass rate information not available, but

closer to blended then online. Ideal delivery method but may not be suited

to online/hybrid course growing popularity.

Onsite

Online has lowest pass rate. Emphasis on calculations through virtual

white board or videos. Lecture/Video on each week topic needed. All concepts need to be reinforced on

discussion board. Calculation questions to try on discussion

board.

Online

Able to harness the best of onsite and online.

Topics can be “flipped” on line in between classes and wrapped up next class.

Online discussion board can be used to “catch up” if falling behind on course material.

Pass rates higher than online.

Blended (Hybrid)

Flipped topics: introduction to sampling techniques, and data collection methods.

Flipped topics: online discussion board more successful than classroom.

Students confused when other students explain new topics if not given enough prep. time.

Also flipped class through quick intro to topic and then case study in groups.

Flipped

Last 3 Sessions Taught in 2013 Online: 86.6% Last 3 Sessions Taught for Business

Students in 2011 Blended: 96.9% Onsite unavailable: Attempting to acquire and disseminate

future class data.

Pass Rates (Current Averages)

Flip entire class by effective learning tools such as: case studies, and group projects.

Develop larger case study “bank” between colleges.

Develop online course with 2 “Face to Face” (F2F) meetings.

Continually promote Academic Integrity, Rigor, and Reputation.

Future Plans

Raj SampathAssociate Professor Math and Statistics

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences 

DeVry University5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd., NE

Bldg. A, Suite 201Atlanta, GA 30342

p: 404.236.1452f:  404.236.1320

rsampath@devry.edu

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