GAISE Committee Members
Robert Carver, Stonehill College
Michelle Everson (chair), The Ohio State University
John Gabrosek, Grand Valley State University
Ginger Holmes Rowell, Middle Tennessee State University
Nicholas Horton, Amherst College
Robin Lock, St. Lawrence University
Megan Mocko, University of Florida
Allan Rossman, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Deborah Rumsey, The Ohio State University
Paul Velleman, Cornell University
Jeffrey Witmer, Oberlin College
Beverly Wood, Indian River State College
The Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics Education (GAISE) College Report, originally endorsed by the ASA in 2005, has had a profound effect on the teaching of statistics. However, advances in technology alone warrant a re-evaluation of the GAISE College Report. Students have access to technologies and web resources that did not exist when the report was drafted, and the kinds of data sets students can access also have changed dramatically. In addition, there are new assessment tools and new thoughts about how teachers can and should assess students.
Also, an extensive literature has been published since 2005, and many innovative ideas and advances need to be incorporated into a new report and made accessible to a wider audience. By sharing specific ways the GAISE recommendations can be implemented within a variety of settings (e.g., in the classroom, in online or blended learning environments, etc.) and types of first courses, the overall quality of statistical education can be improved further.
A committee originally assembled through the Section on Statistical Education will review the GAISE recommendations and propose changes to be incorporated into a new report. The committee, already underway on the review, reaffirmed the following six core GAISE College Report recommendations:
- Emphasize statistical literacy and develop statistical thinking
- Use real data
- Stress conceptual understanding, rather than mere knowledge of procedures
- Foster active learning in the classroom
- Use technology for developing conceptual understanding and analyzing data
- Use assessments to improve and evaluate student learning
The committee welcomes input from the entire statistics education community. A webinar will be presented through the Consortium for the Advancement of Undergraduate Statistics Education in July.
Additionally, a panel session titled “GAISE into the Future: Updating a Landmark Report for an Increasingly Data-Centric World” will take place at the Joint Statistical Meetings in Seattle August 10 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. PDT. The committee will share details about the process and changes being considered and solicit feedback.
Plans are in place to present a revised college report to the ASA Board of Directors for endorsement before the end of 2015.
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