"A practical, hands-on experience with statistics . . . very exciting . . . It makes statistics almost interesting and appealing."--Z. Criado-Hedreen, geriatric dental fellow, School of Dentistry, Univ. of Maryland
". . . very easy to use and easy to get quick results."--M. Boers, School of Education, Univ. of Maryland
"I had studied probability through analytical methods before, but found it difficult to use in real life . . . I was frustrated. But on using Resampling Stats, it became so very natural to me. . . . I called on my friends and they too found it exciting . . . The beauty of the language is that little or no computer knowledge is required and as the program can be run a number of times, one can understand why and how probability varies in real life, a concept that cannot be handled as efficiently by analytical methods."--R.P. Sircar, graduate student in physics, IIT, Delhi, India
"It's wonderful! Very straightforward and easy."--K. Colwell
"Your program is great! Every conventional problem I've had in class I've been able to do on my own with Resampling Stats."--D. Moorman, Purdue Univ., Indianapolis
"Resampling Stats is a program that lets you understand what you are doing, is easy to use, and should be sufficient for most cases."--M. Faerber, Giegen/Brenz, Germany
Student Comments About Introductory Business Statistics With Resampling (several courses 1990-93)
Note: This was an introductory statistics course. No computer experience was required, and this was the first exposure to a computer for a number of students. College of Business, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Overall reaction to the course:
"Much more 'useful' way of teaching statistics"
"Actually learning something positive"
"Gives me a better understanding"
"Definitely easier to learn than calculus because it is more interesting"
"I like the resampling method better than theoretical methods"
"I find this whole course interesting and exciting. Homework is challenging and fun. I enjoy it completely."
"Teaching me how to think logically"
"Teaches statistics with useful and practical implications"
"Like the format -- much more interesting than the [standard sections]"
"In comparison to the other [standard] sections it is more understandable"
"Interesting and easier to understand than [the standard sections]"
"Applies a practical approach to statistics"
"...very interesting ways to approach and solve problems."
"...it is making statistics a lot easier to understand"
"This course is interesting and lets me see things in a different perspective"
"I find it straightforward and clear. By not having to memorize equations, the course is not as difficult as the mathematical approach would be."
About the simulation method (as an alternative to a formula approach):
"much better, more tangible"
"simulation will be more useful to me in the future"
"much better because it's easier to understand and relate to in everyday situations"
"logical and easy to use"
"I think it's great, fast and fun"
"cool and quick"
"This method is awesome!"
"I think it's much better although at first I was worried"
About the Resampling Stats software and accompanying text:
"It has great examples and it's enjoyable reading. This text has helped me to understand certain concepts."
"Gives good reference for students on computer work"
"It goes with the lecture nicely -- it is almost too simple"
"I like the examples..."
"I have found Resampling Stats easy to use"
"I really like the computer. It helps me understand."
"Resampling Stats seems to make the whole learning process more complete and easier"
"Fun and not difficult to understand"
"Very effective"
"...lets the student have a hands-on approach to statistical problems"
"Very interesting ... good computer experience"
"Excellent -- will probably use more than the mathematical approach"
"I would never want to use the mathematical approach after taking this resampling class"
"Gives you a chance to see physically what is actually happening as opposed to just conceptualizing"
"Extremely user-friendly and few commands to remember"
General comments:
"I like the fact that the class gives you practical hands-on learning."
"Straightforward and clear. ... I am not against using calculus or mathematical applications. However, the simulation method keeps everything simple. Extremely user-friendly and very few commands to remember [about the software RESAMPLING STATS]."
"Teaches me how to think logically. [Resampling] makes much more sense than just using formulas."
"Simulation lets the student have a hands-on approach to statistical problems."
"[I] like the format -- much more interesting than what my friends are telling me about [the conventional] class. ... Excellent course, keeps my attention."
"In comparison to the other [conventional] sections it is more understandable."
"Interesting and fun. [The software] works very well."
"I feel that [the course] is making statistics a lot easier to understand."
"This class should have more sections available."
"Resampling Stats is easy to understand and should be required to use in stats courses."
"Overall Resampling Stats was easy to use."
"Resampling Stats helped me see the practical value of statistics."
"Nifty."
"It was simple to use."
"A very reasonable, self-explanatory program."
"It made statistics much more tolerable because I am not a math person."
"Interesting -- powerful program."
"Provides effective "hands-on" learning approach"
"It is really easy to use and access"
"Very user friendly and logical"
"User friendly -- makes understanding stats much easier"
"It made concepts such as confidence intervals and sampling size easier to understand."
"Useful in illustrating complex concepts"
"It is a logical way to understand statistics around us."
"Fast and easy to use"
"It was an interesting, useful way to teach this material."
"Lot easier than memorizing formulae"
"Simplifies a complex concept"
"The resampling method is incredible. I was afraid of statistics before. I've recommended this class to some of my friends. ... I feel that I've learned a lot."
"This course helped me to understand and analyze statistics better and more intuitively."
"More interesting than the way conventional statistics was taught."
"...resampling is far easier to understand than conventional methods."
"I thought that statistics would be a useless class where I just memorized equations -- I was wrong."
"[I was] pleasantly surprised, for I hate math and I have never understood 'statistics.' This course gave it some life. I recommend this course to all my friends."
"I liked [statistics] a lot more than I ever thought I would before I took this class."
"I learned a lot more ... than I originally expected."
"Much easier and more intuitive than parametric stats."
"I love resampling!"
"I find resampling very interesting and intend to continue using it."
"I've talked to my friends who took conventional statistics. They don't have nearly as good an understanding of statistics as I got from resampling."
"Learned a lot more than I thought I would."
"Much different than I had expected. I was prepared to memorize formulas."
"... This is my second time taking statistics. I took it the conventional way and I withdrew from that section. I had an absolutely terrible time ...it was a complete nightmare. ... the Resampling Stats I did a lot better with. It was a lot more logical. I could follow it, it made more sense. It wasn't just a bunch of formulas that you write on a notecard... I can see where I can use Resampling Stats for the rest of my life, whereas the formulas and stuff that you use with the conventional statistics really mean nothing at all."
"It was a lot better than the regular statistics class. ... It made me think a lot more. I think I'll be able to use this class more in life. ... I told my roommate about it and he's signed up for it next semester."
"I liked it. I think I did a lot better, and I think I'll know more than if I just did formulas..."
"I'll be able to apply this a lot more easily if I have a real problem to solve in business than I would with a formula."