How to get
started in
Math 1231 Statistics Online
Getting Started
 | Installing the ActivStats CD: As you try to install
ActivStats CD, some of you will get a message to
install Quick Time first. If you get this message, you MUST load the
version of Quick Time that is on the CD, NOT your hard drive. The disk all
ready has access to the version of QT that is on your hard drive and it's not compatible
with the CD. There are two ways to install Quick Time. First
Method: Double click on My Computer. Once the contents of
your computer are displayed, left click ONCE and then RIGHT click
once on the ActivStats icon (or folder). Select Install Quick Time 30.
Second Method: Open Windows Explorer (either
right click on the start button and select Explore or go to Start >
Programs> Windows Explorer). Once Explorer is open, scroll down to
the d: drive. SINGLE click on ActivStats d: and the contents of the
disk will be shown on the right hand display. Double click on
Quick Time 30 and it will install. |
| Some of you may have audio problems while running ActivStats. Follow these
directions if and only if you having one of the two problems described. If your
sound is working fine, make NO changes.
 | TO GET SOUND ON VIDEO THAT'S COMPLETELY
MISSING: Go into Control Panel > Quick Time Setup and change the
default setting "Direct Sound" to "Wave Sound." |
|
TO CORRECT FOR SKIPPING SOUNDS DURING ACTIVSTATS PLAY:
From the desktop, right click on My Computer, select Properties, Select Performance tab,
Click on the Virtual Memory button, choose to turn it off.
NOTE: When I called the Hub for these
instructions on how to disable Virtual Memory, she suggested that it may not be a good thing to run your computer this way.
Virtual Memory acts like extra memory when you are running several
different programs at the same time. If you frequently run a
lot of different programs
simultaneously, you may notice a loss of speed and efficiency. If this
happens, you may want to turn Virtual Memory off only when using ActivStats |
|
| Plan on working through EACH icon. Some of these are
activities, some are video clips, short explanations of material, AND tutorials to
instruct you how to use the software package included with the CD. |
| Also, re-read the Syllabus or
Project Assignment pages before the midterm, final, or project. In the past,
students have omitted/forgotten details that were available on these pages. They
lost points for not doing what the instructions said. |
| How to access the Bulletin Board and Chat Room through WebCT: Click on this link or go to Internet Explorer and enter http://webct.clayton.edu as the address. You may want
to add this address to your favorites. Click on "Course Listing," then
click on "M" and finally click on "MATH1231- Introduction to
Statistics." When prompted for your username enter your first initial followed by
your entire last name (all in lowercase letters). For example
my login would be krobinson. Then enter your password. Your initial password is your first
initial, your last initial, and the last 4 digits of your social security number, i.e., kr1111. After you have logged in to WebCT, please change your password to a
password that only you know AND that YOU WILL REMEMBER. |
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:
| All electronic correspondence must follow Etiquette Rules
for Communication. |
| Statistical analysis always has a purpose. Researchers (and others) have a
question. So they gather data to help them answer this question, they investigate
and analyze the data, and then they draw conclusions based on what the data suggests
(frequently, new questions arise and the cycle begins again). Therefore, all
semester, whenever writing ANYTHING, you must write within the context of the
scenario. We will engage in data analysis and data ALWAYS has a context. You can
calculate statistics without knowing the scenario, but we won't.
Understanding the meaning of calculated statistics requires knowledge and explanation with
respect to the scenario. In other words, the question that generated gathering data
needs to be addressed -- this must be done in the lingo of the scenario. |
| When writing about data, avoid words like "most" or
"majority". These words mean different things to different people.
Define what these would be mathematically. For example, instead of saying,
"Most observations are between 2.8 and 5.3," write "64% of the observations
fell between 2.8 and 5.3." |
| When writing up projects, do not tell me what you are going to do. For
example, do not say, "Let's make a histogram." Use Data Desk to graph the
data and then explain it (in context). |
| BEGIN TO LEARN DATA DESK ASAP. Do NOT USE Excel for data analysis or
graphs. Excel is not a statistical analysis package (even though some teachers use
it as such) and it will make mistakes. Also, do not do calculations by hand (except
in Lessons as noted below). USE THE TECHNOLOGY (because this is what statisticians
do). The midterm and final will stress conceptual understanding and interpretation
of the computer output - not pencil & paper manipulation of the equations. |
| When writing a question about content to me or
the class, it will be helpful if you follow two guidelines. First, assume I do NOT
have my textbook handy. This means you have to give me an idea of what the scenario
is all about. I don't want or expect you to re-type the problem. Paraphrase
it so I'll have an idea of what is going on (I learn alot about what your knowledge is and
is not by this process). Second, please state YOUR problem. If you say,
"I'm clueless," that doesn't give me enough information to help you out of you
dilemna. Clearly state what your question is. |
| If you send a content related question to me via
email, I reserve the right to forward it to the class. Also, you can expect to
receive hints, not answers. I'll give you a gently push in the right direction and
you are free to come back with another question. Dialogue is good. But I won't just
tell you what to do or how to do it. |
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