dr richard cook / hea stem conference edinburgh 2014 a n o n -l ine t oolkit for t eaching s...
TRANSCRIPT
Dr Richard Cook / HEA STEM Conference Edinburgh 2014
AN ON-LINE TOOLKIT FOR TEACHING STATISTICS TO BIOSCIENCE STUDENTS
Dr Richard Cook
School of Life Sciences
Kingston University London
Project funded by an HEA Teaching Development Grant GENTDG147
Dr Richard Cook | HEA STEM Conference Edinburgh | 2014
The Problem Bioscience students don’t like
statistics!
Statistics is an essential skill for bioscientists!
Often large numbers – statistics taught as ‘separate subject’
RELEVANCE?
Dr Richard Cook | HEA STEM Conference Edinburgh | 2014
The Problem
Even if taught statistics, students often forget later when they need to use it (project!)
When they have their own data, difficult to decide which statistical tests to use
Dr Richard Cook | HEA STEM Conference Edinburgh | 2014
My Solution! Guide to select appropriate statistical tests
Web-based with videos for SPSS
Lots of subject-relevant examples
Flexible, interactive learning and revision aid –
encourage independent learning & practice
On-line software: Keep control: update & develop easily Xerte Toolkit: University of Nottingham
Flexible on-line template for interactive, web-based teaching materials
Dr Richard Cook | HEA STEM Conference Edinburgh | 2014
AIMSTeach biostatistics as a tool – keep it simple
‘Decision tree’ guide:o Help understand context of each testo Help decide which test to use
Use of animated videos - how to use SPSS and understand output
Subject-relevant example data with MCQso Relevanceo Practice
Dr Richard Cook | HEA STEM Conference Edinburgh | 2014
Intended Purpose
A teaching resource to support lectures and learning
NOT a replacement for lectures/books
A revision aid: A resource for students to re-visit when they need it
Dr Richard Cook | HEA STEM Conference Edinburgh | 2014
Availability
Available as an Open Educational Resource
Address: http://www.oercommons.org/authoring/5089-biostatistics-toolkit
Creative Commons License:
Allows sharing: can copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
Dr Richard Cook | HEA STEM Conference Edinburgh | 2014
The Biostatistics Toolkit
Introduction shows (videos): • the SPSS environment• entering data and getting output (results) in SPSS• obtaining descriptive (summary statistics)
Rest of Toolkit is based on simple questions and decision tree to lead to correct test
Dr Richard Cook | HEA STEM Conference Edinburgh | 2014
First Questions: 1.Type of Data
Dr Richard Cook | HEA STEM Conference Edinburgh | 2014
First Questions: 2.Type of question
Dr Richard Cook | HEA STEM Conference Edinburgh | 2014
The Decision Tree
Dr Richard Cook | HEA STEM Conference Edinburgh | 2014
Decision Tree: next step
Dr Richard Cook | HEA STEM Conference Edinburgh | 2014
Video for each test
A video for every test shows how to do this in SPSS and what the output means
Dr Richard Cook | HEA STEM Conference Edinburgh | 2014
Sample data sets for each test
Dr Richard Cook | HEA STEM Conference Edinburgh | 2014
Use at Kingston University London (Level 5)
Aim to encourage independent & student-led learning
Brief 1-hour lecture each week to introduce background & purpose of selected tests; given problems to solve
Use Toolkit to select test and watch video to solve problem in SPSS – can do any time
Computer workshops for help with problems
Apply statistics to numerical data from lab classes on any module (integration of statistics to subject)
Revision – use example data from Toolkit
Dr Richard Cook | HEA STEM Conference Edinburgh | 2014
Initial Conclusions & Feedback from Students (n=56)
Don’t expect all students to be able to watch a video and apply it to a problem!
Some resistance to independent learning – still want contact and instruction
Many students need further help to develop confidence
Still an inherent resistance by many students to statistics
Nevertheless, intitial feedback indicates the Toolkit is helpful
Dr Richard Cook | HEA STEM Conference Edinburgh | 2014
Was the toolkit useful in explaining how to carry out a statistical test in SPSS?
Very useful
Quite useful
Neutral
Not very useful
Not at all useful
53.57%
35.71%
10.71%
0.00%
0.00%
Almost 90 % found it Quite/Very Useful
Dr Richard Cook | HEA STEM Conference Edinburgh | 2014
Does the toolkit improve your confidence in using statistics to analyse data?
Yes, I have a better understanding about how to use statistics
Yes, to some extent: I am not very confident but the toolkit has helped a little
No, it has not helped me understand statistics
48.15%
51.85%
0.00%
100% said it developed confidence – at least a little!
Dr Richard Cook | HEA STEM Conference Edinburgh | 2014
Will you use the toolkit to carry out statistical analyses in SPSS in future (eg
final year project)?
Yes
Possibly
No
Don't know
60.71%
35.71%
0.00%
3.57%
96% said Yes/Possibly
Dr Richard Cook | HEA STEM Conference Edinburgh | 2014
Further Conclusions
Lack of confidence: students need encouragement & support
Help needed to interpret results of statistics in relation to the biological context
Overall, toolkit well accepted by the students
Anticipate that benefit will become more apparent to students during final year
Thank you for listening!