The VSSL scale: A brief instructor tool for assessing students' perceived value of software to learning statistics.
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| Title: | The VSSL scale: A brief instructor tool for assessing students' perceived value of software to learning statistics. |
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| Authors: | Alter, Udi1,2 (AUTHOR) udialter@yorku.ca, Dang, Carmen2 (AUTHOR), Kunicki, Zachary J.3 (AUTHOR), Counsell, Alyssa2 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Teaching Statistics. Jul2024, Vol. 46 Issue 3, p152-163. 12p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Education statistics, *Research personnel, Statistical software, Psychometrics, Software development tools |
| Abstract: | The biggest difference in statistical training from previous decades is the increased use of software. However, little research examines how software impacts learning statistics. Assessing the value of software to statistical learning demands appropriate, valid, and reliable measures. The present study expands the arsenal of tools by reporting on the psychometric properties of the Value of Software to Statistical Learning (VSSL) scale in an undergraduate student sample. We propose a brief measure with strong psychometric support to assess students' perceived value of software in an educational setting. We provide data from a course using SPSS, given its wide use and popularity in the social sciences. However, the VSSL is adaptable to any statistical software, and we provide instructions for customizing it to suit alternative packages. Recommendations for administering, scoring, and interpreting the VSSL are provided to aid statistics instructors and education researchers understand how software influences students' statistical learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Teaching Statistics is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Education Research Complete |
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| Abstract: | The biggest difference in statistical training from previous decades is the increased use of software. However, little research examines how software impacts learning statistics. Assessing the value of software to statistical learning demands appropriate, valid, and reliable measures. The present study expands the arsenal of tools by reporting on the psychometric properties of the Value of Software to Statistical Learning (VSSL) scale in an undergraduate student sample. We propose a brief measure with strong psychometric support to assess students' perceived value of software in an educational setting. We provide data from a course using SPSS, given its wide use and popularity in the social sciences. However, the VSSL is adaptable to any statistical software, and we provide instructions for customizing it to suit alternative packages. Recommendations for administering, scoring, and interpreting the VSSL are provided to aid statistics instructors and education researchers understand how software influences students' statistical learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 0141982X |
| DOI: | 10.1111/test.12374 |
