Using real data in a quantitative methods course to enhance teachers and school leaders statistical literacy
Heinz, Manuela
Heinz, Manuela
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Repository DOI
Publication Date
2020-06-02
Type
Conference Paper
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Citation
Heinz, Manuela. (2020). Using real data in a quantitative methods course to enhance teachers and school leaders statistical literacy. Paper presented at the 6th International Conference on Higher Education Advances, Valencia, Spain, 02 -05 June.
Abstract
Engaging part-time Master of Education students in the study of quantitative research methods is challenging. The majority of them lead busy lives as teachers and/or education leaders, attend their MEd classes in the evenings and plan to engage in small-scale qualitative research for their theses. In this context, it has been hard to motivate students to engage critically and deeply with quantitative research methods. A widespread deficit view of their own competency in mathematics and computing, which are often considered essential, further compounds the problem. This paper describes the redesign of a quantitative methods module and the resulting changed experiences of students. Findings from this practitioner research study point to the positive impact of using a real national data set the Growing Up in Ireland Dataset on students engagement and appreciation of the value of quantitative research in education.
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Publisher
International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd)
Publisher DOI
10.4995/HEAd20.2020.11260
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Ireland