Jim, Dennis, list at large
I like Jim's rationale for introducing the binomial first rather than the
normal or t. I may try it next semester (too late this semester). He much
more eloquently explained why we may not wish to jump straight to the
t-test than I did.
Chris
At 10:58 AM 04/20/2001 -0500, jim clark wrote:
>Hi
>
>It has been a few years since teaching intro stats to psych
>students, but I too liked the sequence: binomial -> normal ->
>t-distribution ...
>
>The binomial allows students with basic probability skills to
>actually calculate the probabilities for a sampling distribution.
>This provides a solid conceptual foundation for Type I and Type
>II errors and the associated probabilities. Generalizing to the
>normal distribution, starting with the normal approximation of
>the binomial, is a modest conceptual step that still allows
>computation of direct probabilities for Type I and II errors,
>although the areas themselves are taken on faith except in
>courses where the underlying mathematics is taught (and
>understood). The next step to the t-distribution involves
>another modest change, still allowing students to root their
>understanding in the basic material that has gone before.
>
>To try and skip over these preliminary, albeit temporary,
>techniques is mistaken because students are not given the
>foundations upon which to base their understanding of the later
>tests. What does a t-distribution mean to a student who does not
>know what a binomial distribution is and how to calculate the
>probabilities, and who does not know what a normal distribution
>is and how to obtain the probabilities? In fact, what does the
>whole idea of a distribution in general and sampling distribution
>in particular mean for students when the basics are omitted? It
>is far more important to give solid foundations in the
>entry-level course than to "make room" for more sophisticated
>tests that students will only vaguely understand.
>
>Best wishes
>Jim
>
>============================================================================
>James M. Clark (204) 786-9757
>Department of Psychology (204) 774-4134 Fax
>University of Winnipeg 4L05D
>Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2E9 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>CANADA http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/~clark
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