Use of the computer to teach introductory statistics

The Computer as an Aid in Teaching Statistics

“…The batch-processing mode of operation can prove quite satisfactory, if properly organized, as an aid in conducting practical classes. (See Sterling and Pollack, 1966. ) For large classes, given the present stage of computer technology, there is indeed no economically feasible alternative.…”

“…In the U.K. this has been due in part to the shortage of adequate computing facilities, but also to the slowness of teachers to recognize the pedagogic value of the computer and to the inertia generated by rigid syllabuses and examination-oriented teaching. In the U.S.A. the position appears to be similar but there are notable exceptions, as witness the papers of Meyer (1965) and Sterling and Pollack (1966). These teachers have integrated the computer into their teaching programmes with great success.…”

MSc Training in Research Methods Support

“…This implies that the changes needed are to bring both mathematics and statistics training up-to-date rather than simply making statistics training less mathematical. Computers have been incorporated in statistics education since the 1960's (Sterling & Pollark, 1966) but they have been used largely to improve the teaching of the existing syllabus, rather than to change what is taught. One of the key advocates for changing the mathematics curriculum, Wolfram states "I am not even sure if we should brand this subject as math, but what I am sure of is that this is the mainstream subject of the future."…”

MSC training in research methods support

“…Computers have been being brought into statistics education since the 1960's (Sterling & Pollark, 1966). It is now accepted that there is a need to have a less theoretical approach to statistics education.…”