Here are some thoughts on technology with regard to the stats course. I plan to use Excel and the textbook gives instructions for Excel, Minitab as well as graphing calculators. My choice of Excel is because I think learning to use Excel is something that is useful for students beyond the stats course, and they may actually know it already a little. At CSULA we have always had the problem with requiring graphing calculators due to cost. Renting them out would be a cheaper alternative, but the logistics seemed daunting. We even asked ASI whether they would be willing to take over some class room sets of calculators that we got through an Innovative Instruction Award for renting out to students, and they were not interested. Have not tried to contact the bookstore.

At ELAC on the other hand, they do rent out calculators and also textbooks. Students registration is put on hold if they do not return the items. (That also seemed to be a difficult thing to institute at CSULA.) The logistics are done via their computer lab (something we also do not have). In addition, ELAC requires their students in the stats course to do 10 hours (Mona please correct me if my memory is wrong) in the computer lab, while we have to deal with students learning the technology via the course or textbook instructions. We might do some of it in the associated math workshop.

I think this is one of the beneficial aspects of this project - finding out how things are done at other institutions (in this case ELAC, which has the same student population), and we might be able to move a few things here by pointing out that they are done at ELAC. I hope that the ELAC team also finds things they can bring back to their departments/institution to make things better for our students.

Silvia

Hi all,

greetings from Germany! Just to let you know that I too can blog.

Silvia

Testing one, two, three...

Hey everyone! Please post a comment to this post so I can be sure everyone CAN post a comment....

compass II the ground work

chemistry comments as we start to get to the nitty gritty- topics timing and outcomes