Teaching Statistics Online: An Experiential Approach

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Teaching Statistics Online An Experiential
Approach

• Dr. Kimberly Rynearson
• Mr.Richard Harris
• Dr. Marcel Kerr
• Tarleton State University

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Overview

• A Course Overview
• The Learners
• Redesign 1 ITV Web Support
• Redesign 2 SmartBoard Audiovisual Files
• Redesign 3 Videotaped PowerPoint Presentations
  Sound
• Redesign 4 Digital Audiovisual Files

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A Course Overview

• First course in statistics
• Core requirement for graduate degrees in
  Psychology
• A first course in statistics for most students

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A Course Overview

• Format
• Lecture
• Problem solutions
• Questions and answers
• Homework
• Exams

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The Learners

• Adult learners aged 25 to 65
• Self-directed internally motivated prefer
  problem-based instruction
• Ethnically diverse
• May have had a previous course in statistics
• Family and work responsibilities
• Anxious about the course
• Need to see problem solutions

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Redesign 1 ITV Web Support

• Goal Reach students on two campuses, 90 miles
  apart with judicious use of faculty
• Synchronous delivery via ITV
• Lecture and problem solutions
• Asynchronous support of course materials via Web
• Notes
• Homework
• Exam Reviews

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Redesign 1 ITV Web Support
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Redesign 1 ITV Web Support
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Redesign 1 ITV Web Support

• A look at the materials

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Redesign 1 ITV Web Support

• Advantages
• Live instructor explained material and
  demonstrated problem solutions
• Students on two campuses were served
  simultaneously
• Course materials were available via the web at
  all times

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Redesign 1 ITV Web Support

• Disadvantages
• Instability of ITV technology
• Several missed classes
• Disengaged distant students

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Redesign 2 SmartBoard Audiovisual Files

• General approach
• Create an online course that will preserve the
  best features of the face-to-face course while
  meeting students scheduling needs
• Instructor-led problem demonstrations
• Instructor explanations
• Flexible scheduling using asynchronous online
  format

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Redesign 2 SmartBoard Audiovisual Files

• Creating a problem solution movie
• 67 diagonal interactive whiteboard
• HyperCam software
• Recorded instructors handwriting on SmartBoard
  and saved the file as an uncompressed audiovisual
  (.avi) file
• Separate verbal narration
• Result a single movie with voice-over narration

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Redesign 2 SmartBoard Audiovisual Files
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Redesign 2 SmartBoard Audiovisual Files

• A demonstration

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Redesign 2 SmartBoard Audiovisual Files

• Advantages
• Completely online format
• Instructor-explained problem demonstrations

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Redesign 2 SmartBoard Audiovisual Files

• Disadvantages
• Tedious editing process
• Very large file sizes
• Long download times for students with 56K modem
  access
• Difficulty getting clean recordings
• Poor sound quality

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Redesign 3 Videotaped PowerPoint Presentations
Sound

• Alternate attempt to create audiovisual files for
  problem demonstrations

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Redesign 3 Videotaped PowerPoint Presentations
Sound

• General approach
• Established ITV connection between two local
  ITV-equipped classrooms
• Instructor used PC (PowerPoint) and document
  camera to deliver lecture and demonstrate problem
  solutions
• VHS recording of ITV transmission

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Redesign 3 Videotaped PowerPoint Presentations
Sound
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Redesign 3 Videotaped PowerPoint Presentations
Sound

• File creation
• Original VHS tapes of 12-15 min were converted to
  Real Media streaming format placed on streaming
  server
• Streaming files were created in a 43 aspect
  ratio of 480x320 pixels optimized for a 56 K
  dial-up Modem, DSL, cable modem and CD-ROM formats

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Redesign 3 Videotaped PowerPoint Presentations
Sound

• A demonstration

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Redesign 3 Videotaped PowerPoint Presentations
Sound

• Advantages
• One step closer to successful online delivery
• Re-created in-class lectures
• Live lectures and demonstrations would be
  available to students at any time

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Redesign 3 Videotaped PowerPoint Presentations
Sound

• Disadvantages
• Poor video quality
• Dark images
• Poor sound quality uneven recording
• Required two available ITV rooms for recording

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Redesign 4 Digital Audiovisual Files

• General approach
• Increase video and sound quality using digital
  recording
• Portable digital video laboratory was created for
  recording

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Redesign 4 Digital Audiovisual Files

• General approach
• Instructor records audiovisual files of problem
  demonstrations in personal office
• Expected outcomes
• Enhanced image and sound quality
• Greater flexibility for instructor
• Less editing

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Redesign 4 Digital Audiovisual Files
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Redesign 4 Digital Audiovisual Files

• File creation
• Video lectures were created and recorded to
  digital tape using the portable studio
• The tape was transferred to a second digital
  recording deck connected to the video editing
  computer through an IEEE-1394 (FireWire) digital
  video capture card

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Redesign 4 Digital Audiovisual Files

• File editing
• Adobe Premier is used to move and edit video
  images
• Titles, clarity, sharpness, and trailers may be
  added
• Audio software editing application can be used to
  edit sound or add background sound effects
• Completed movie is exported into DVD, CD-ROM, VHS
  videotape and streaming media

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Redesign 4 Digital Audiovisual Files

• A demonstration

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Redesign 4 Digital Audiovisual Files

• Advantages
• Higher-quality audiovisual files
• Easier editing process
• Instructor-friendly recording process
• Preserves experiential aspect of face-to-face
  course
• Supports asynchronous online course format
• Can be exported to multiple formats
• AV files are re-usable content objects that can
  be inserted into multiple courses across
  curriculum (i.e. Engineering, Management,
  Education)

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Redesign 4 Digital Audiovisual Files

• Disadvantages
• Picture quality is not yet razor sharp
• Broadband connection or higher-end PC computer
  equipment/software
• Students need a higher degree of technical
  expertise
• Initial equipment start-up cost and technical
  assistance for development/deployment

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Conclusions

• Students in Psychology prefer to see statistics
  problem demonstrations in real-time
• Students require flexibility in scheduling their
  courses
• Audiovisual file creation is easy and inexpensive
  using the portable digital video laboratory

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Contact Information

• Dr. Kimberly Rynearson
• rynearson_at_tarleton.edu
• Mr. Richard Harris
• rharris_at_tarleton.edu
• Dr. Marcel Kerr
• kerr_at_tarleton.edu