Invitation to SPSS Focus Group at JSM

[Silverburg, Danial]

Dear Professors/Instructors of Introductory Statistics:

 

If you plan to attend the 2008 JSM conference in Denver August 2-7 and you teach an introductory statistics course to undergraduates, the SPSS Academic Team cordially invites you to attend one of our Statistics Focus Groups.

 

SPSS hosts focus groups with the goal of learning more about instructors' needs and concerns. Our development team values your opinion and looks forward to using feedback received at the event to better understand how our products do and should fit into the learning process.

 

Please join us during one of these two-hour blocks:

 

- Monday, August 4, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

- Monday, August 4, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

 

For more details, see the Agenda below.

 

We intend to bring together approximately 10 of your colleagues who teach statistics at institutions around the country and are interested in using statistical analysis software in their courses. Instructors will have the opportunity to debate critical issues, exchange ideas, evaluate various teaching tools, and learn from each other in a unique open forum. We will discuss how technology is providing new avenues for students and instructors to access content, study, interact, and assess with greater flexibility, transparency, and success.

 

Please RSVP by sending an e-mail to me, Dan Silverburg, at [hidden email] by Thursday July 31. Further details will be e-mailed to you when we receive your response. Seats are limited and will be filled on a first-come first-served basis.

 

Sincerely,

Dan Silverburg

Director, Academic Markets

SPSS Inc.

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AGENDA

 

Teaching challenges, group discussion (30 minutes) This is a round-table discussion in which the group shares information regarding the goals of their courses, the type of students they teach, the challenges they've faced and the successes they've experienced in teaching them.

 

Demonstrating to students the role of statistics in their future (30 minutes) This session will focus on ways to demonstrate to students the applications of statistics in future careers that are technically correct, plausible, and motivating to students.

 

Product Development Exercise - Instructor Supplements (45 minutes) In this small group exercise, we will divide into teams, each of which will be responsible for creating a plan to develop the best faculty resource package for using statistical analysis software in their Statistics course. What do you need from us to make your lives easier?

 

Closing Comments and Wrap-Up (15 minutes)

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