Work

Improving Statistics Education at Wright State University with Design Project Based Learning, Problem Solving, and Peer Review

Year: 2025

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: Widespread knowledge of statistical methods is essential in engineering and medical disciplines, primarily for experiment design, data analysis, and interpreting significant results.Often, this knowledge is expected to be gained through a service course in statistics whereby the focus is on breadth and covering the practical extent of methods commonly used in a field.However, students frequently enter statistics courses with negative attitudes, compounded by traditional teaching methods that focus on trivial examples and a general lack real-world relevance.At Wright State University, innovative approaches in statistical education were implemented across the Biomedical, Industrial, and Human Factors Engineering Department and Pharmacology and Toxicology Department.These innovations include design project-based learning, where students undertake semester-long projects to collect and analyze data, and problem-solving focused on realworld ambiguity and complexity.Additionally, innovation-based learning in the form of peer review-through blinded reviews of class projects and critical evaluations of published workwas integrated to foster critical thinking and exposure to real-world applications of statistics.These changes resulted in greater student engagement, practical learning outcomes, and multiple peerreviewed publications from course projects.

Source: ASEE North Central Section Conference

DOI: 10.18260/1-2--54673

Authors: Trevor Bihl, Terry Oroszi, Subhashini Ganapathy, Jeffrey Travers

Institution: Wright State University

Language: English

Topic: Statistics Education and Methodologies

Subfield: Statistics and Probability

Field: Mathematics

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W4409945326