Interactive Content in Web Pages to Teach Statistics

Computer-based teaching material must contain animation or interaction to offer substantial benefits over delivery on paper. Technology developed for use in web browsers — especially Java and JavaScript — makes it relatively easy to add interactive diagrams to web pages. The objectoriented nature of Java is well suited to developing a large collection of interactive diagrams (applets) for teaching statistical concepts. Many useful statistical objects, behaviours and displays are shared by the applets so their implementation is relatively easy in Java. By designing all applets together as a single collection of linked classes, a resource with hundreds of applets can be created in which interaction plays a major role in teaching all concepts. CAST is used to demonstrate that a complete introductory statistics course with over 330 interactive diagrams can be developed using this technology in a fairly short time.