Steve C. Wang
Teaching Statistical Thinking Using the Baseball Hall of Fame
Swarthmore College
baseball natural context learn statistics national pastime replete averages percentages counts amounts totals kind fan mere numbers condensed stories instantly intelligible true literature game compared fluid sports football basketball hockey soccer baseball especially lends data collection inherently sequential discrete players taking turns plate stopping fixed places field characteristics make baseball superlative source examples teaching statistical principles 1999 designed taught course baseball hall fame titled baseballs highest honor winter study session williams college winter study monthlong term january courses subjects part traditional academic canon students take one course winter study period classes typically meeting 510 hours per week class sizes kept small encourage discussion goal course use baseball hall fame particularly process voting players enshrined subject teaching statistical scientific principles course intended teach students carry statistical techniques rather discuss constitutes good bad statistical argument thus spirit quantitative literacy course although course ostensibly baseball underlying goal demonstrate value sound statistical teaching statistical thinking using baseball hall fame