Title: Using a spreadsheet programme to teach introductory statistics: reducing anxiety and building conceptual understanding

Authors: Larry A. Pace, Kimberly A. Barchard

Addresses: Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Louisiana Tech University, P.O. Box 10048, 116B Woodard Hall, Ruston, Louisiana 71272, USA. ' Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, P.O. Box 4550304505, Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154–5030, USA

Abstract: This paper presents an innovative method using spreadsheets to reduce anxiety and build understanding in introductory statistics courses. Empirical data show that instruction using spreadsheets is currently concentrated in business statistics classes. The authors advocate the use of spreadsheets in statistics education in other fields and present supporting cases.

Keywords: active learning; education; introductory statistics; Microsoft Excel; spreadsheets; statistics education; anxiety reduction; conceptual understanding.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2006.009222

International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 2006 Vol.3 No.3, pp.267 - 283

Published online: 10 Mar 2006 *

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