For the ninth straight year, teachers of introductory statistics from high schools, two- and four-year colleges gathered in Monroe Community College’s R. Thomas Flynn Campus Center to learn about the latest developments in practicing their craft. The 125 participants from 18 states, Canada and Australia, many returning for a second, third or fourth time, arrived by car, train, plane and fast ferry, for the August 4 and 5, 2005 conference. They heard talks, tried out new technology and discussed curriculum changes related to basic statistics, a course that continues to grow in popularity as both a requirement and elective at all levels. The conference was planned and hosted by members of MCC’s Mathematics Department.
Jessica Utts, a well-known researcher, author and teacher from the University of California at Davis, led the line-up of 12 speakers in addressing the theme of Beyond the Formula IX, “Constantly Improving the Teaching of Introductory Statistics”. Because all the speakers are both teachers and leaders in statistics education, they were able to provide their listeners with new advances in teaching that they themselves had developed and used in their classes. These included new uses for computers, instant student response systems, and methods of assessment and classroom research, community service learning and case study projects. All of these strategies advance the trend to make the study of statistics more accessible and useful to students. In addition, seven publishers of statistics textbooks and software were in evidence at a reception and exhibit where teachers had an opportunity to look over their new products.
Bob Johnson, author and lead planner for the conference said, “We are encouraged that enthusiasm by teachers of statistics, both speakers and participants, for the content of Beyond The Formula has remained high and grown over these nine years. We appreciate the support of the College and hope to offer this conference for many years to come.”
Bob Johnson
Mathematics
08/19/2005
Speakers: Front row: Roxy Peck, Mary Harrison, Jessica Utts, Norean Sharpe, Jennifer Bready
Back row: Tom Short, John Harrison, Gina Reid, Dick DeVeaux, Deborah Nolan
Missing at time of picture: Cindy van Es, Mark Earley
Steering Committee (left to right): Mark Harris, Pamela Keyes, Bob Johnson, Brigitte Martineau, Dave McNitt, Patricia Kuby
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