StatsSkills web app: a tool for systematically practising statistics skills

We have developed and piloted StatSkills, a web app through which learners can systematically build statistics skills (a National Forum Ireland SATLE-funded project). The app contains exercises targeting specific skills, on which learners will receive immediate, automated feedback, and through which they can track their progress.

The StatsSkills web app is underpinned by a deliberate practice approach, focused systematic practice that leverages the testing effect and includes spaced and interleaved practice. Students can address the overwhelming nature of learning statistics skills as the app enables them to focus only on selected aspects of the performance at any one time (by choosing specific Skills within listed Skills Areas). The app allows flexible access with immediate feedback on each question. This enables learners to master specific areas and increase their confidence and self-efficacy (if they can master one skill, they can master the other ones, one at a time).

Over 600 questions have been developed so far, with ongoing development of more. Each question is mapped to a specific Skill, and these Skills are grouped for students into Skills Areas. The current pilot involves around 100 first-year undergraduate business and marketing students in an Irish university.