This applet builds confidence intervals for the percentage of orange candies in box with two colors of candies. A smaller box visualizes the sample, and a graph keeps track of the location of the confidence interval. Students can take one sample (producing one CI) repeatedly, or take 100 random samples at once. The population percentage is hidden from view unless the student asks to see it, in which case it is displayed on the graph of confidence intervals. This allows the students to see whether each interval "hits" or "misses". Several parameters can be varied: sample size, confidence level and number of samples. A set of questions alongside the applet guides students.
Type of Material:
Java applet
Recommended Uses:
Students would easily work by themselves to answer the questions. No time is needed to "learn" how to use the applet. Recommended for in-class or out-of-class exploration of the topic.
Technical Requirements:
Browser, Java
Identify Major Learning Goals:
The applet helps students visualize the relationship between sample size, confidence level, and the width of a confidence interval. It also illustrates sampling variation and the idea that not all confidence intervals contain the population parameter.
Target Student Population:
Introductory statistics
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Students should have a prior exposure to confidence intervals, at least to the extent of understanding what an interval is, and understanding why they are used. Students should also understand the terms "population" and "sample."
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The applet is very easy to use, and has very clear graphics. The idea of drawing a sample from a bin of colored marbles is simple and easy for students to grasp. The visual of the bin is good for helping students connect the calculated percentage to a physical entity. Having the parameter re-set to a different unknown value is also a valuable conceptual tool.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The applet has clear instructions and good questions to consider. It is simple to use and clearly demonstrates a couple of key statistical concepts. Overall, this can be a useful applet.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The applet is simple and visually appealing. The instructions and questions to consider are well written. The applet is very easy to use with very little or no instruction.
Creative Commons:
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