Email invitation: As you may know, we recently received NSF funding (DUE-1323210) to facilitate assessment of introductory statistics courses, with a focus on gaining a better understanding of potential differences in student learning between "traditional" and simulation/randomization-based introductory statistics courses. As such, we are asking you to consider having your students participate in the assessment project regardless of how much (if any) simulation- and randomization-based inference methods you use in your course. As a thank you for your participation, we are happy to offer a $100 stipend and a customized report on your student’s performance in your class.

Some brief details follow, with answers to some commonly asked questions here

1. Students in your introductory statistics course (undergraduate or high school level) will take a pre-test (preferably before the course starts, but no later than the first week of classes). The “test” contains multiple choice questions that assess conceptual understanding and student attitudes toward statistics. Most students take approximately 30 minutes to complete the test. The test is administered completely online (we will provide you the link). Students can complete the test either inside or outside of class. See the FAQ for more information on encouraging student participation and IRB including opt-out options. After the closing date you specify, we will send you the student names and individual performance data. At the end of your course, students will take a multiple choice, online post-test about attitudes and concepts. Again, we’ll provide you the link.

2. Assuming your sections attain at least 75% participation rates, and you fill out a brief (<30 minute) survey about your course (e.g., size, pedagogy, classroom technology, etc.) at the conclusion of the course, you will receive the stipend and customized report.

We anticipate publishing a series of articles on the data gathered as part of this project. Neither student- nor instructor-level information will be reported individually (only in aggregate) in these articles. If you are interested in participating but have questions about your institution’s IRB, please contact us as well.

If you are interested in participating, please fill out the short survey below. After we receive your survey responses you will be contacted directly by us with more information/details.

Please direct additional questions to either Cindy Nederhoff (assessment administrator: cindy.nederhoff@dordt.edu) or Nathan Tintle (project director: nathan.tintle@dordt.edu).

Thanks for considering this,
Nathan Tintle (on behalf of the PIs: Nathan Tintle, Beth Chance, Dennis Pearl, Soma Roy and Todd Swanson)

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* 1. First Name

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* 2. Last Name

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* 3. Are you male or female?

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* 4. Institution

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* 5. E-mail Address

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* 6. How many sections do you have? Note: You will receive separate pre-test and post-test individualized survey links and reports for each section.

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* 7. My class begins on the following date:

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* 8. The anticipated date for my class(es) final exam is:

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* 9. The approximate number of students I anticipate being enrolled in each of my sections is...

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* 10. On approximately what date would you like to receive (by email) a list of students who took the pretest, along with their scores?

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* 11. On the first page of the survey link for your class we can provide an opt-out using one of two strategies. Option #1: Students can opt-out from taking the survey entirely, Option #2: Students must take the survey but can opt-out from having their data available for research purposes. Please indicate how you would like your survey to be constructed.

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* 12. How much simulation/randomization do you anticipate using in the course?

Note: Your response does not in any way impact the value of your data. In fact, we really encourage those not using much simulation/randomization in the course to participate to gain more understanding of the impact of different content/pedagogical approaches on student learning.

Second note: It's fine if your answer below changes by the end of the course, as we will ask more in-depth questions about your course on the post-course instructor survey.

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* 13. What textbook(s) do you anticipate using for your class?

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* 14. Any other comments or questions?

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