Implementing Version Control with Git and GitHub as a Learning Objective in Statistics and Data Science Courses

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Implementing Version Control with Git and GitHub as a Learning Objective in Statistics and Data Science Courses
Language: English
Authors: Beckman, Matthew D., Çetinkaya-Rundel, Mine (ORCID 0000-0001-6452-2420), Horton, Nicholas J. (ORCID 0000-0003-3332-4311), Rundel, Colin W., Sullivan, Adam J., Tackett, Maria
Source: Journal of Statistics and Data Science Education. 2021 29(1):S132-S144.
Availability: Taylor & Francis. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2021
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Statistics Education, Data Analysis, Teaching Methods, Graduate Students, Undergraduate Students, Computer Software, Recall (Psychology), Course Objectives, Decision Making, Evaluation Methods, College Faculty, Integrated Learning Systems, Course Descriptions, Programming Languages, Teacher Attitudes
DOI: 10.1080/10691898.2020.1848485
ISSN: 2693-9169
Abstract: A version control system records changes to a file or set of files over time so that changes can be tracked and specific versions of a file can be recalled later. As such, it is an essential element of a reproducible workflow that deserves due consideration among the learning objectives of statistics courses. This article describes experiences and implementation decisions of four contributing faculty who are teaching different courses at a variety of institutions. Each of these faculty has set version control as a learning objective and successfully integrated one such system (Git) into one or more statistics courses. The various approaches described in the article span different implementation strategies to suit student background, course type, software choices, and assessment practices. By presenting a wide range of approaches to teaching Git, the article aims to serve as a resource for statistics and data science instructors teaching courses at any level within an undergraduate or graduate curriculum.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2022
Accession Number: EJ1352467
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:A version control system records changes to a file or set of files over time so that changes can be tracked and specific versions of a file can be recalled later. As such, it is an essential element of a reproducible workflow that deserves due consideration among the learning objectives of statistics courses. This article describes experiences and implementation decisions of four contributing faculty who are teaching different courses at a variety of institutions. Each of these faculty has set version control as a learning objective and successfully integrated one such system (Git) into one or more statistics courses. The various approaches described in the article span different implementation strategies to suit student background, course type, software choices, and assessment practices. By presenting a wide range of approaches to teaching Git, the article aims to serve as a resource for statistics and data science instructors teaching courses at any level within an undergraduate or graduate curriculum.
ISSN:2693-9169
DOI:10.1080/10691898.2020.1848485