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Using Rossman/Chance Applets to Explore Statistical Concepts, Part 1

Beth Chance (bchance@calpoly.edu)

Department of Statistics

Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo

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This workshop is supported in part by NSF DUE #2235355.

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Workshop goals

  • Learn how to use applets to give students experience with exploring statistical concepts
    • Foster active learning
    • Visualize key statistical concepts
    • Multivariable thinking
    • Simulation-based inference (part 2)
  • Please play along with the applets during/after the workshop
    • Interrupt (raise hand, zoom chat) with questions about functionality, implementation
    • Share suggestions

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Accessing the applets

  • www.rossmanchance/applets
    • Updated 2021 Applets
      • Javascript applets
        • Can also be embedded into other pages (iframes)
      • Should work on Mac, PC, iPad, iPhone etc.
      • Address accessibility standards (e.g., screen reader, tabbing, color contrast)
      • Links to “applet guide” and “how to” videos, posting bugs
      • Continual development

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Today

  • Descriptive statistics
  • Two-way tables
  • Correlation/Regression
  • Exploring probability
    • Random Babies, Monty Hall
    • Normal probability calculations
  • Sampling distributions
    • Gettysburg address
    • Reese’s Pieces
  • Theory-based inference

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Notes on pasting in data

  • Space or tab or csv delimited
    • Open in spreadsheet, copy and paste, press Use Data
    • Use “one word” variable and category names
    • Some applets handle missing values (e.g., *), some do not
  • Some pre-loaded datasets
    • See ISI, ISCAM text for more details…

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Example: Random babies

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Example: Gettysburg Address

  • Students are given a copy of the Gettysburg Address and are asked to (quickly) sample 10 words.

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Example: Gettysburg cont

  • Students construct a plot of the board of the samples means
  • They compare their results to the population mean

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MiraCosta College

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Example

  • Take sample of 25 candies
  • Sort by color
  • Calculate the proportion of orange candies in your sample
  • Construct a dotplot of the distribution of sample proportions

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How I use in class…

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Using applets to explore concepts

  • Free
  • Make it easy, fun for students to explore/ask “what if” questions (e.g., toggling between graphs)
  • Make it easy for students to share their results (e.g., screen captures)
  • Visual and engaging
  • Reinforce good habits (e.g., axis labeling)
  • Dynamic and interactive to student input (e.g., clicking on a dot, moving observation, sliders, resizing)
  • Parallels to tactile activities (e.g., card shuffling)
  • Build up in complexity (to replication of standard statistical output)
  • Assessable (what to put in these blanks) …

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To be continued�Part 2: Sept 29, 11am PT

bchance@calpoly.edu

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Use technology to explore concepts

  • Important features
    • Easy to use
    • Consistent look and feel
    • Portable
    • Visual
    • Dynamic/Interactive/Exploration/Test thinking
    • Balance of black box and student responsibility
    • Ease of repetitions, Connections to tactile simulations, Help students focus on key ideas

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