The Value of Computational Thinking in Statistics Education

Abstract: In a seminal paper, Nolan and Temple Lang (2010) argued for the fundamental role of computing in the statistics curriculum. In the intervening decade the statistics education community has acknowledged that computational skills are as important to statistics and data science practice as mathematics. There remains a notable gap, however, between our intentions and our actions. To understand that gap, together with Nick Horton, we assembled a collection of papers for a special issue of the Journal of Statistics and Data Science Education (2021) focused on what has changed over the last ten years with respect to computing in the statistics curriculum. Broadly, the collection of papers (1) suggest creative structures to integrate computing, (2) describe novel data science skills and habits, and (3) propose ways to teach computational thinking. My talk describes the special issue with particular focus on the last of the three aspects: the role of computational thinking: The computer as part of the thinking process and not only a tool for implementing mathematical theory.

mathematics education

Audience: researchers in the topic

Online Seminar On Undergraduate Mathematics Education

Series comments: Description: Seminar on university-level math education

OLSUME is an online seminar centered on mathematics education at the university level. Talks will cover curriculum, pedagogy, inclusiveness, professional development, blended and flipped classrooms, and other topics of interest.

ZOOM LINK: cornell.zoom.us/j/92415199317 Password: olsume