Think UDL Students Tell Us What Works in Statistics with Jen McNally and Laura Callis
Oct 2, 2025
Jen McNally, a Professor at Curry College, and Laura Callis, an Associate Professor, dive into inclusive statistics education through their DISCUS-IS project. They explore how students themselves drive better learning outcomes, sharing creative teaching methods like simulation-based inference using engaging examples such as coin flips and dolphins. Their research shows promising results in closing achievement gaps and increasing student engagement. They also discuss strategies to decode complex statistics language and involve neurodivergent students in meaningful ways.
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Discourse Reveals Student Statistical Thinking
- DISCUS focuses on discourse to reveal how marginalized students think about statistics.
- Researchers combine classroom video, instructor recall, and student interviews to map student thinking.
Adopt Simulation-Based Inference
- Use simulation-based inference to de-emphasize hand calculations and build intuition.
- Begin with physical simulations (coins) then move to computer simulations to formalize concepts.
Dolphin Coin-Flip Classroom Activity
- Jen uses a dolphin experiment and coin flips as a hands-on chance model activity in class.
- Students flip 16 coins, post results, and see that 15 heads is outside the chance model, revealing evidence.