Abstract
Difficulties in learning statistics primarily at the college-level led to a reform movement in statistics education in the early 1990s. Although much work has been done, effective learning designs that facilitate active learning, conceptual understanding of statistics, and the use of real-data in the classroom are needed. Guided by Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction (First Principles), a blended, introductory college-level statistics course that incorporated real data was designed and implemented. A single descriptive case design was used to investigate how the course design facilitated learning and the development of statistical conceptual understanding (i.e., statistical literacy, reasoning, and thinking skills). Results from both quantitative and qualitative data analyses indicated that the course designed using First Principles as a guide was effective in promoting students’ conceptual understanding in terms of literacy, reasoning, and thinking statistically. However, students’ statistical literacy, specifically, the understanding of statistical terminology did not develop to a satisfactory level as expected.
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We would like to thank Drs. Trudy Abramson and Nina Miville for their expert guidance as well as the students who agreed to participate in this research study.
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Tu, W., Snyder, M.M. Developing conceptual understanding in a statistics course: Merrill’s First Principles and real data at work. Education Tech Research Dev 65, 579–595 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-016-9482-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-016-9482-1