210 Teaching Statistics by Spreadsheet: A Developmental Approach

One of the greatest difficulties in teaching statistics is imparting an understanding of the procedures and their uses. This analysis develops a framework for using spread-sheet software on a microcomputer to develop sophisticated statistical procedure tem-plates that are effective in teaching statistical concepts. The analysis consists of four parts: an overview of traditional computer-based statistical applications, the develop-ment of a framework for teaching-oriented statistical applications, illustrations of the framework with an example for time series analysis, and suggestions for integrating multiple procedures in a single spreadsheet. Keywords: spreadsheet, statistical analy-sis, teaching, template. When it comes time to conduct a statistical analysis, most researchers offer a silent thanks for computers. There is little doubt that the use of computers for statistical analysis is one of the more fortuitous applica-tions of the new technology. When it comes to teaching statistics, how-ever, the computer has proven to be something less than an overwhelm-ing success. The problem, ironically, is that the very power that makes statistical analysis almost effortless on the computer works against the student who needs to acquire both an understanding of the processes in action and an appreciation for the valid application of statistical tech-niques. One approach to teaching statistics via computer raises the possibil-ity of going beyond the typical application, which only offers solutions to statistical manipulations without explanation, to an effective teach-ing tool that facilitates learning both the process and the theory of sta-tistics. That approach is to teach statistics through the use of a spread-sheet program. This analysis focuses on four aspects of the technique. First, an overview of the traditional uses of computers in teaching sta-tistics is offered to illustrate their limitations. Second, a framework is presented for developing statistical applications for instruction with the computer. Third, one such application is discussed, and fourth, sugges