Calling all ALEKS Statistics drop outs to this thread for feedback

[AkaiOkami]

With ALEKS, copy each word problem and how to solve it into word. Each section has a different amount of questions and different ways to solve them. For instant, questions that have: at least, at most, more, less, taking the bus, taking the car, best chance, worse chance, etc all require a sight alteration of a formula to solve the question. Make sure to copy each variation of a question and pay attention to the wording. When given a problem on the assessment, find the copy in word. This will break down how to solve that particular variation of the question. Only mastery of 70% of the course is needed. Material after this point requires expertise in statistics anyways. Do not wait long periods of time to do an assessment. Very 20 topics completed, do an assessment test until you hit the 70% mastery mark of all topics. If you fail an assessment and get put back at 69% mastery and only need to complete that one topic that was failed to get 70%, redo the topic that was failed and then immediately do an assessment test. Keep repeating until 70% of the topics are mastered. The good thing is a lot material carries over to business statistics so, once done with statistics jump right in business statistics; you'll be done in no time.

[JohnnyHeck]

As I have pointed out many times in my previous posts on this subject, the difficulty with learning Stats is that is very different from any traditional math course you may have encountered up to now.

The key concepts are actually very few and quite easily understood if presented in a structured and coherent manner. The math is simple, just fractions, percent's, some freshman high school algebra, and interpreting/creating two axis graphs. Unfortunately, coherency is the problem! Stats is jargon laced with many specific terms not always easy to place into the correct context for specific problems. Current texts and video lessons, both printed or online, are generally structured with too much early emphasis on the lexicon. Then when the key execution concepts are finally introduced, a different example is presented for each one which tends to keep the student from keeping track of the "big picture"

Based on the multitude of posts on this topic, I do not believe there is a time-wise shortcut to stats, particularly for the math-phobic But it can be mastered without the tears now through a new self paced "Smart Course" developed by Carnegie Mellon University being offered through their subsidiary Acrobatiq. It's not perfect yet, which is why I am looking for 5 students to take this course under my personal tutelage. I am interested in developing my own personal additions to the course within it's "Smart Authoring" tool. As a retired aerospace engineer, I'm on my last lap. I desire my epitaph to read, "The man who brought stats to everyone. The course is $70 - no kickback to me - for five year access and no text required. I plan to standby any interested student all the way through their CBE of choice including, ALEKS, DSST, TECEP, Uexcel, or any other.

Please shoot me a PM if interested.

Also, see my other posts in this thread for additional insights regarding pro and cons of alternatives.

[JohnnyHeck]

Maybe get some in person tutoring? Sometimes there's no substitute for having someone sit down, look at your mistakes and explain what you're doing wrong.

This is a great idea. Go to Smart Thinking to get some help. They have many cost effective options. I believe. However, recognize that with stats, the usual student math wizzes available may take a little extra time to come up with the approach that you need to understand the concept in question.

[JohnnyHeck]

I found the ALEKS format somewhat frustrating as well. However, I rather liked that an incorrect answer prompted subsequent similar questions as I almost always get incorrect answers from simple arithmetic errors rather than misunderstood concepts.

If it's of any help motivation-wise: I took a traditional B&M full-term stats course before I did ALEKS stats. I only took the ALEKS course to see what it was like (I hope to get into math education). After getting an A in a traditional full term stats course, I still didn't pass ALEKS stats on the first pass. It took me a couple of days over the course of two weeks to pass.

Yes, this is a major stumbling block with both ALEKS and Khan. Tedious math that is completely unnecessary to demonstrate the conceptual knowledge needed for either the DSST, TECEP, or Uexcl CBEs. Real time wasters, IMHO.

[JohnnyHeck]

Sidenote- Lucky for me, Kaplan accepted all 3 stats courses (2 upper level based on ACE recommendations) so my hard work wasn't in vain. Most schools consider them duplicates.

What were these other 2 UL stats courses, and under which providers? Thanks

[JohnnyHeck]

anybody tried Business Stats with straighterline?

I have closely reviewed the syllabus and text of this course. It appear reasonably well structured especially if you are comfortable with a little bit of Excel. Given that it includes 10 hours of tutoring from the folks at Smart Thinking, I think this could work for most folks if they don't have to go on to Bio-Stats or Research Methods in the social sciences. Total cost if you can finish in one month, $99 for SL subscription, $119 + $Text if you can finish in one month

[JohnnyHeck]

... a week later I had my 3 statistics credits

Congratulations

What was your math background? How many hours did you have to expend in those 3 weeks?

Thanks

[JohnnyHeck]

...once done with statistics jump right in business statistics; you'll be done in no time.

TESU and most other schools will not grant you credit for both. Though in a post above, it was noted that Kaplan did.

[GMT]

Congratulations

What was your math background? How many hours did you have to expend in those 3 weeks?

Thanks

It was one week and I probably spent 2 hours a night doing the quizzes and then the final exam.
I have a Calculus 1 background from a few years back, but went into Stats totally rusty - SL Business Stats was great!

[sava60]

I know your frustration. I find math and statistics hard. They are not my strong subjects. It took me 2 months to finish Intro to Statistics. As I worked through the pie chart, If I didnt know how to solve the problem I asked for an explanation. I printed out the sample. I keep them in the binder label with that section. Each question has several variations so I wanted to make sure to keep them together. I started off by writing out the problem but became easier to print. I waited almost three weeks before I figured I had to be the one to ask for an assessment. After about every 5 topics I asked for another assessment. While taking the assessment I would look through my papers to find a sample problem and would replace with the new information. If I couldnt find a sample in my notes I retyped the question in google and usually found an Aleks video that gave me a sample. As I got frustrated or too tired to work on it I closed the program. When I came back it was where I left off. I eventually finished with a 71%. I spend 12 and 14 hours a day on the weekends. During the 2nd month, I only had a week left but was able to do precalc and stated Business stat but didnt finish .