Support Options to Utilize For Taking a Statistics Course
January 29, 2021 11:02 AM Subscribe
I have applied to MSW programs. One prerequisite is that I am to complete a Statistics class. I was last in a classroom setting in 1987. The course begins mid-February. What options are available to me to prepare for the class in advance and get face-to-face (post Covid) or on-line support?
The community college does offer tutoring. I would like to to see what other options are available to me.
+1 for Khan Academy. I needed to brush up on math before getting my MSc and Khan was incredibly helpful.
posted by little king trashmouth at 11:31 AM on January 29, 2021
posted by little king trashmouth at 11:31 AM on January 29, 2021
I have a math background, but I found this book to be helpful after returning to the classroom and needing a refresh. It was very straightforward for self-study with plenty of examples and diagrams. It had lots of opportunities for practice and will walk you through the answers, plus it's not bad as a reference.
I highly recommend getting the paperback and just writing on the pages. I also took it to a print shop and had the spine cut off and stapled each chapter into its own packet so that I didn't have to lug the whole thing anywhere.
posted by Alison at 11:36 AM on January 29, 2021
I highly recommend getting the paperback and just writing on the pages. I also took it to a print shop and had the spine cut off and stapled each chapter into its own packet so that I didn't have to lug the whole thing anywhere.
posted by Alison at 11:36 AM on January 29, 2021
You can do this.
In the 1980's I changed my major to avoid all math classes. I had a giant bias against my ability to do math of any kind. Recently, I had to take two statistics classes for a masters program and all of the math anxiety rushed back.
In order to prepare, I used the Khan Academy to learn and review math process and then searched every online stats tutorial I could find. I watched many videos before finding the right right fit.
Fortunately, this tutorial happened to go along with the Pagono book we used. The videos are very simple to understand, there is a bit of religious overtone and some dated examples, but very helpful.
I used this math youtube site often and eventually bought the series. It was a great resource.
I did use in person 1:1 tutors, it really helped to go over problems. I was shocked at the cost, I was very specific to ask for help only when I really needed it and used every minute wisely. College math tutor programs are usually very good, I would have used that if it had been an option.
posted by jennstra at 12:35 PM on January 29, 2021
In the 1980's I changed my major to avoid all math classes. I had a giant bias against my ability to do math of any kind. Recently, I had to take two statistics classes for a masters program and all of the math anxiety rushed back.
In order to prepare, I used the Khan Academy to learn and review math process and then searched every online stats tutorial I could find. I watched many videos before finding the right right fit.
Fortunately, this tutorial happened to go along with the Pagono book we used. The videos are very simple to understand, there is a bit of religious overtone and some dated examples, but very helpful.
I used this math youtube site often and eventually bought the series. It was a great resource.
I did use in person 1:1 tutors, it really helped to go over problems. I was shocked at the cost, I was very specific to ask for help only when I really needed it and used every minute wisely. College math tutor programs are usually very good, I would have used that if it had been an option.
posted by jennstra at 12:35 PM on January 29, 2021
FWIW I am probably one of the few individuals who doesn't find Khan Academy very helpful. The great thing about topics covered in an intro stats class, is that there are plenty of other reference materials if one doesn't work for you. The community college library (and quite possibly your public library) will most likely have some sort of intro stats guidebooks (e.g. ) available as ebooks*. If you find ebooks from the library you like, you may want to consider buying a hard copy. In addition your college library will probably have a webpage devoted to subject- or course specific resources.
*There are probably hard copies as well in said library if said library is open.
You might also want to try to track down a syllabus for the class (sometimes they are posted on the instructor's course website). The syllabus might mention whether a specific graphing calculator or software package will be used. Moreover, it might mention the course management system in use (e.g.). You may want to familiarize yourself with the technology before classes begin.
posted by oceano at 12:45 PM on January 29, 2021
*There are probably hard copies as well in said library if said library is open.
You might also want to try to track down a syllabus for the class (sometimes they are posted on the instructor's course website). The syllabus might mention whether a specific graphing calculator or software package will be used. Moreover, it might mention the course management system in use (e.g.). You may want to familiarize yourself with the technology before classes begin.
posted by oceano at 12:45 PM on January 29, 2021
Hear me out: The Cartoon Guide to Statistics. First attempt at stats in grad school, I withdrew before I flunked. Then a friend who is a professional statistician lent me this book. Second time around, I finished with a high A. Game changer.
posted by sockshaveholes at 1:01 PM on January 29, 2021 [5 favorites]
posted by sockshaveholes at 1:01 PM on January 29, 2021 [5 favorites]
I took a grad level stats course recently and found that just being able to practice and see detailed solutions was really helpful. I used the book Statistics: 1,001 Practice Problems For Dummies and found it a really helpful way to check my understanding.
posted by forkisbetter at 3:01 PM on January 29, 2021
posted by forkisbetter at 3:01 PM on January 29, 2021
OpenIntro Statistics is the free open source textbook I typically use when teaching Statistics. It's well written and has good examples and I recommend it to help you make it through the course.
posted by wittgenstein at 5:12 PM on January 29, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by wittgenstein at 5:12 PM on January 29, 2021 [2 favorites]
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