Enhancing Student Learning Through Local and Global Examples in a Statistics Unit

Jahar Bhowmik^1,

¹Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia

Cite this paper:
Jahar Bhowmik. Enhancing Student Learning Through Local and Global Examples in a Statistics Unit. American Journal of Educational Research. 2013; 1(8):290-293. doi: 10.12691/education-1-8-4

Abstract

Traditionally, undergraduate students studying social sciences are required to commence with a core unit of quantitative methods. Undergraduate students come from a diverse backgrounds and varied motivations. Teaching statistics to a diverse range of students is challenging. After a review of the existing core statistics unit, changes in the curriculum were effected to address the needs and interests of such a diverse group by broadening the curriculum which includes introduction of local and global examples. These changes of curriculum were designed to improve learning outcomes and student engagement. The paper highlights the value of using accessible and relevant “real life” examples to enhance the learning experience of the wider range of students. Initial results are promising suggesting that curriculum changes have benefited students and improved student satisfaction scores. The use of a range of local and global examples closely aligned to learning activities and assessments have been found to be motivating for students and pilot results demonstrate that students’ satisfaction levels have been improved.

Keywords:
teaching statistics curriculum feedback engagement diversity

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