Overcoming Fear Factor in Teaching Introductory Biostatistics to Biology Majors
Teaching introductory biostatistics to biology majors can be challenging due to students' fear of statistics. This abstract provides insights on how to approach teaching biostatistics effectively, including encouraging collaboration, using real-life examples, and sharing enthusiasm to engage students.
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Presentation Transcript
Teaching Introductory Biostatistics Using JMP: Overcoming the Fear Factor Steve Figard, Director of Cancer Research Lab Department of Biology, Bob Jones University Abstract Teaching introductory biostatistics to sophomore level biology majors presents some interesting challenges, most notably, the inherent fear of statistics common to those who aren t really interested in the topic but are being forced to take the course. Many such students are, at best, uncomfortable with, or worse, totally petrified of, this topic. Some insights into how to go about this without causing panic attacks in such students will be shared.
The Problem Failure to realize that we are the outliers! Biology majors be like Let us consider the likely scenario that you are a student of the biosciences. Whether you are a biomedic, a physiologist, a behaviourist, an ecologist, or whatever, you like learning about living things you enjoy learning about the human body, bugs, and plants. Now, lo and behold, you have been forced to take a course that will make you do things with numbers and, dread-o-dread, even do something with numbers using a computer. You have probably decided that the people who are making you do this are mindless sadists. D. Hawkins, Biomeasurement: A Student s Guide to Biostatistics, 3rd edition, Oxford University Press, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2014, page 1
Dont believe me?... Word cloud of one word description of how my students feel on day one of taking my course on biostatistics: Note that the majority are nervous, unsure, afraid or anxious as opposed to excited or intrigued (although it is intriguing that so many use that word to describe a biostatistics course at all!).
Insights gained to date Don t require memorization (in real life, one usually has the option to consult with others and to use other resources besides oneself) In-class exercises and case studies that are open book, open teacher Encourage collaboration (except on exams) Take-home exams (using real problems) Provide information sheets/resources so JMP learning curve is not an issue
Insights gained to date Share your enthusiasm as you present/teach Approach your class as a mentor, not The Grand Poobah and Lord High Executioner of Statistics Don t be afraid to admit you don t know Use examples that show the relevance of biostatistics to what the students need Employ as much humor as you can muster in your interactions with your students Begin your collection of memes now!
