Subject: Re: normal table use in elementary statistics?
From: BETH HENTGES (b.hentges@cctc.cc.mn.us)
Date: Tue Sep 26 2000 - 11:08:02 EDT
I use both. I draw the picture EVERY time, and I expect my students to
do the same. If they can correctly translate a problem into a
probability question with correct notation, and if they can draw the
area the represents the probability, then I don't care whether they use
the table or the calculator. I show them the table first, and then
introduce using the TI-83. We require that students in our stats
courses have a TI-83. (This is the same procedure I use for all of the
built-in stats functions on the TI-83.) I expect my students to be able
to write P(a<z<b)=P(z<b)-P(z<a), if they use the table. One thing I
don't show my students on the TI-83 is how to find P(a<X<b) without
first converting a normal random variable X to the standard normal
random variable z. I think that it's important for students to
understand and do this conversion, back and forward.
Beth Hentges
Century College
>>> Colleen Ryan <cryan77@yahoo.com> 09/25 5:19 PM >>>
I have been teaching statistics for years using the normal table. I use
the
one that Moore does with the areas cumulative from the left. Many of
my
students now have TI-83s. These TI-83s can give table areas
(cumualative
from the left) or z values from left areas. They can even figure out
scores (like IQs or women's heights) using the TI-83 normal feature.
Do you think I should still teach them how to use the normal table to
do
the problems or is this approach too old fashioned? If they use a
TI-83 I
guess I worry that they won't really understand what is going on and
they
will have trouble later in the course when things become more
complicated.
What do you think?
1. Use only the table and formula for z
2. Use only the TI-83 approach.
3. Use both.
If you pick number 3, which do you think should be taught first? On
which
method should emphasis be placed?
Colleen Ryan
Oxnard College
Southern California
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