Teaching Statistical Concepts and Modern Data Analysis With a Computing-Integrated Learning Environment

ABSTRACT

Revisiting the seminal 2010 Nolan and Temple Lang article on the role of computing in the statistics curricula, we discuss several trends that have emerged over the last ten years. The rise of data science has coincided with a broadening audience for learning statistics and using computational packages and tools. It has also increased the need for communication skills. We argue that, for most of this audience, instruction should focus on foundational concepts and the early introduction of different types of data and modern methods through the use of interactive learning environments without programming prerequisites. We then describe Integrated Statistics Learning Environment (ISLE), a web-based e-learning platform and lesson authoring framework for teaching statistics. Built on top of computing and peer-to-peer technology, the platform allows collaborative data analysis and real-time interactions in the classroom. We describe how ISLE contributes to the three key Nolan and Temple Lang components: broadening the statistical computing curriculum, deepening computational reasoning and literacy, and expanding computing with data in the practice of statistics. We then present several advantages of using a computing-integrated environment such as ISLE, including promoting (cross-disciplinary) communication, supporting classroom-focused integrated development environments, and advancing the science of data science.

KEYWORDS:

• Computing
• Data science
• E-learning
• Integrated Statistics Learning Environment
• Statistics curriculum

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the constructive feedback from the anonymous reviewers and associate editor on preliminary versions, which have helped to greatly improve the article. Any remaining mistakes are the authors’ own.