Can learning molecular biology and genetics be enjoyable? Of course it can. Biologists know their field is exciting and fascinating and that learning how cells and molecules shape the living world is extraordinarily interesting. But can students who are not already inclined towards science also be convinced that learning molecular biology is…

Deborah Nolan is Professor of Statistics and holds the Zaffaroni Family Chair in Undergraduate Education at the University of California-Berkeley, where she has also served as Associate Dean of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. She is a Fellow of the American Statistical Association and the Institute of Mathematical Statistics. This interview…

Inconsistencies within the literature result in teachers not having sufficient guidance to develop their humour use in support of learning without risking their professionalism. This article argues for more comprehensive evidence to guide teachers' use of humour, based on mixed methodological approaches. The case is also made for the Interpersonal…

Principles of scientific data accumulation and evidence-based practices are vehicles of professional enhancement. In this article, the author argues that a scientific knowledge base exists descriptive of the relationship between teachers' activities and student learning. This database appears barely recognised however, for reasons including (a)…

In elementary economics courses students are often introduced to the basic concepts of macroeconomics through very simplified static models, and the concept of a macroeconomic equilibrium is generally explained with the help of an aggregate demand/aggregate supply (AD/AS) model and an income/expenditure model (via the Keynesian cross diagram).…

An effective method of teaching statistical ideas is to show students how to use a computer package to analyze survey data that they have collected. This paper discusses the advantages of this approach and illustrates it by considering instruction on summarizing distributions of individual variables. The importance of stating results and…

This article presents a response to Timothy Patrick Moran's article "The Sociology of Teaching Graduate Statistics." In his essay, Moran argues that exciting developments in techniques of quantitative analysis are currently coupled with a much less exciting formulaic approach to teaching sociology graduate students about quantitative analysis. The…

Provides examples of the use of computer simulation to help beginners develop a grasp for difficult statistical concepts. The implementation of this teaching methodology is discussed and analysis of simulation output through use of standard statistical software packages is illustrated. (Author/MBR)

This paper comments on strengths and weaknesses of the papers on communities of practice in this special issue of "Technology, Pedagogy and Education." First it discusses the character of communities of practice and the question of whether schools are environments that are conducive to the development of teacher communities of practice. It then…

Argues the usefulness of algebraic and topological mathematical models and general principle formulation for educational research. Applies an algebraic model to relate learning to the pace of instruction. Formulates two broad principles: the Quantitative and Qualitative Teaching Principles (more teaching produces more learning; and learning is…

Given the extensive adoption of research orientations that employ qualitative data collection techniques in education, Margaret Haughey found it exciting to read about a meta-analytical method that combined findings from studies within these research orientations with those from the well-established traditional forms that most often employed…

Advantages and disadvantages of a test item analysis method for producing item banks are discussed with respect to different teaching methods, curriculum, and the examination system. (MP)

Contrasted are engineering statistics with statistics for students of mathematics and social science. Topics considered are level of abstraction, amount of technical detail, and choice of subject. The nature of exercises suitable for various courses is described. (KR)

Implementation of research curriculum content on statistical methods of single-subject research brings up several issues: causal versus practice knowledge, generic versus specific practice, use of self versus use of skill, intuition versus rationality, soft versus hard data, and implicit versus explicit assumptions. Timing for introduction of…

Offers faculty advisers suggestions for improving student publications, such as attending workshops and returning with new ideas, enrolling in college journalism courses, and interning with a professional newspaper during the summer. (JC)