As you read this post, please don't read it with a disrespectful tone/mood as that isn't my intent. As my mind is trying to understand this "foreign language" called stats, I'm also really trying to understand why this course is part of our requirements for the ME in Instructional Technology. As I was getting more and more frustrated and wondering "why!?!" I went to the syllabus to try to find some answers. Here is what I found...
"Course Description
Today using data is required throughout the educational and business communities to support decision making and to formulate projections and plan future directions. This course covers the fundamentals of technology-based data collection, analysis and subsequent use of the results to support informed decision making. The course also addresses use of data resources and data collecting on the Internet.
Background
Drawing upon the technology-based tools including available survey instruments and Internet resources, the intent of the course is that students will develop facility with basic descriptive and inferential statistical measures to learn how to interpret data meaningfully."
I've read it over many times and am still struggling with this course being a three credit course in our program. I know...I don't make the rules for this program and am sure there are great supporting reasons why this course makes up 10% of our required credits for the instructional technology program. Maybe I just need someone to explain the reasoning a bit more because I'm not seeing the clear connection. With all professional development, it sure helps when trying to get the "buy in" from the participants if they can see a clear connection to how it is relevant and will be used in the future. I'll try my best and put in my 100% effort but it really would help my attitude get an adjustment if I could see that connection.
Becky, the world grows evermore quantative. I cannot predict your future but it's entirely possible that you may wind up in some capacity or on some committee where as part of the work you will be involved in collecting and trying to negotiate a point using statistics.
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