Students React to the Class,

September 4, 1998

 

The class began on August 21, 1998. For many students, the structure was somewhat unusual, involving a lot of discussion rather than lecture. Lectures, when they did occur, were informal and were intended to lead to discussion. After 7 meetings, students were asked to use the last 10 minutes of a class to react to what they had experienced so far. Here is what they said.

So far this class has been interesting and very different. I'm not used to discussing reliability in math class. I'm used to doing problems with a procedure not actually applying my math skills to real life. Also, it seems like most of what we decide or talk about in class is just logical. But the questions and discussions do help me to think about the logic of some of these polls.
So far in this class I have learned to notice certain issues in statistics. I have also learned to raise certain questions about the methods used in obtaining the statistics. Before this class, I never thought much about the credibility of statistics. I figured that if the statistic was in a newspaper or reputable magazine that it must be a solid source of information. Now I know the importance of a random sample and how some samples can be biased if they are not random samples.
I think the class rating so far is excellent. I especially like the discussions. They are a fresh approach to learning statistics. I really feel there is good interaction. I'm enjoying hearing other people's viewpoints.
Today's class, for me, was more interesting. Thanks for giving us the math teacher's example of the assignment. It cleared up a lot on how to do it. Your discussion also helped in clearing up how our commentaries should be done. As far as quantitative variables go, I knew what they were but we went a lot more in depth with them. I think you are doing a great job of explaining the material. Unfortunately the material just doesn't interest me. For your part you are doing a good job though.
I think that we have discussed good ideas in the class, but I don't think that we have accurately developed them. You speak on them and sometimes it is clear but we still spend time on them. Sometimes I am not clear on what you are saying and you move on or we run out of class. Other times I feel like the assignments are not covered in class.
I've been reading chapter 1 this week but I don't really understand that much of it. Is everyone supposed to revise their variable article and email it to you or is that by choice? I think you said if we want to do it but I'm not sure.
By and large, the class has been informative. At times, I have come out thinking that I haven't learned anything, but when I sit down to work on my assignments I usually discover that I have in fact learned something. Class discussions and demonstrations such as the coin toss help to make discussions more clear. All in all, it is interesting and informative. We aren't being spoon-fed, we have to think. I like that. My knowledge on quantitative variables has grown somewhat, but there are times while reading articles that I am not certain whether or not a given variable is a good example of a quantitative variable or not.
This class is definitely interesting. It is unlike anything that I have ever done. I enjoy the loose structure of the class and just the form in general. I can't say that I look forward to an 8:30 class, but other than that it's okay. I don't mind getting up.
I feel the class is good when focused, but several times the class drifts. The teacher means well, but sometimes I get lost with the point he is trying to make. I also don't understand how grades are given for article work. Is it totally the teacher's call? Do we just keep rewriting until we are told to stop? I enjoy the class, but I just would like more of a focused, structured environment. As for the comments on my article, I remain unclear on what is expected. I found them vague. One can't be expected to improve if no one tells them how. I also feel the class is getting more comfortable on a personal level so I only expect better discussions in the future.
This class has gotten much better recently. It seems to have a clever goal now and points are being both raised and resolved. The use of real life situations makes it a lot easier to see the point of this class than it was the first week.
The class varies from very interesting to "not so interesting". On the days which we have an interesting topic that provokes classroom discussion, the class is very informative. Listening to others' opinions on the matter helps to better formulate my own.
I'm having some trouble with understanding what you are looking for in our assignments. I enjoy the discussions and they've helped me try to question the meanings of statistics and survey results. Though at times, it feels like it's dragging. If possible, we could spend more time discussing assignments and THEN do them, instead of talking about them so much afterwards. (No, you don't talk too much.)