“Teaching Statistics: More Data, Less Lecturing” is the title of an article written by George Cobb and published in a 1992 issue of Amstat News. Cobb’s approach to statistics education was foundational in the development of the American Statistical Association’s 2005 Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics Education (GAISE) College Report. Both the 2005 and 2016 reports included goals, recommendations, and examples of activities; assessment items; technology use; and real data. The 2026 GAISE College Report, which will be officially launched later in the fall, will support current teachers of introductory statistics and introductory data science as they follow Cobb’s advice—more data, less lecturing. The revision effort was led by Dave Hunter, Lisa Kay, Donna LaLonde, Patti Frazer Lock (co-chair), Chris Malone, Jamie Perrett (co-chair), and Maria Tackett, with input from the statistics and data science education community.
Evolving alongside modern educational needs, the latest revision delivers expanded recommendations, assessment items, introductory statistics outcomes, and new data science guidance within an easily navigable website. Notably, it introduces course-level student learning outcomes that define what students should know and be able to do upon completing an introductory statistics course.
While retaining the familiar GAISE acronym, the report’s official name is changing to the Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics and Data Science Education, noting the addition of data science to the report. The GAISE College Report includes the following 10 recommendations for statistics and data science:
- Teach statistics and data science as processes of gleaning insights from data to inform evidence-based decisions.
- Emphasize effective written and oral communication of results from data, with attention to the scope and limitations of conclusions.
- Focus on conceptual understanding rather than algebraic manipulation and formulas.
- Integrate real data with a context and purpose throughout the course. Select data that are meaningful and engaging to the students.
- Encourage multivariable thinking.
- Incorporate software/apps to explore concepts and work with data.
- Emphasize responsible and ethical conduct in the collection and use of data and in their analysis.
- Employ evidence-based pedagogies that actively engage students in the learning process.
- Use a variety of formative and summative assessments to improve teaching and learning.
- Implement inclusive strategies that create learning environments where all students are valued.
The new GAISE College Report includes descriptions of each recommendation, along with additional discussion to help readers understand its intent and rationale.
Take time to dive into the expanded guidance and curated materials throughout the site. Whether refining an existing syllabus or designing a new course, you will find practical resources to enrich your teaching.
As a dynamic web resource, these guidelines can now evolve and adapt to the fast-moving educational landscape. This format will help educators navigate emerging technologies and ensure the curriculum remains forward-looking and relevant.
Leave a Reply