Creating simulation applets to teach statistics

Abstract

The purpose of this study is whether the use of software for simulating concepts of statistics and probability theory during a semester introductory statistics course ensured greater success in the final exam of the course for students who used it, compared to students who used general statistical software. The simulation software used was created for this purpose based on the average level of understanding of the students who attended the course. The students who attended the course were divided into two groups in a way that ensured that the two groups had proportionally about the same level of statistical knowledge, mathematical background, and about the same number of students in terms of origin and gender. One group used simulation software throughout the semester, while the other used general statistical software. The simulation software used in this survey was created for this purpose based on the average level of understanding of the students who attended the course. At the end of the semester after the final exam, various factors were considered and students' final exam performance (success rates), were compared based on these factors. It appeared that success in the final exam when it comes to similar populations as the two groups of students who attended the course has a strong dependence on the factor of using simulation software.