Statistics Finland's eCourse in Statistics is a basic e-learning introduction to the world of statistics and statistical thinking. The aim of the course is to teach you to understand and interpret statistical information and to make you familiar with the basic statistical concepts.
It is extremely hard, if not impossible to follow what is going on in the society around without knowing how to read and use statistics. Descriptions in the media, for instance, are often based on statistical information. The skill of knowing how to read statistics is an invaluable tool if you are interested in following and understanding statistical information related to your own living environment. It opens up the doors to some intriguing things that can be described in no other way than by statistics!
The modules of the online course will also provide insights into the background of statistical research and teach you about the different uses of statistical data.
The modules of the eCourse in Statistics require no previous knowledge of statistics. The course is intended as a open learning-place for all, i.e. both secondary and upper secondary school students and adult learners interested in general education.
The modules of the eCourse in Statistics provide useful support material for secondary level maths and social science teachers. They also lend themselves ideally as self-learning material for students on tertiary level statistics courses and for people who use statistical information at work.
The eCourse in Statistics is completely free of charge: we want to make it accessible to all users of statistical information.
The eCourse in Statistics is divided into modules that cover different subject areas. Each module begins with a page that describes its main contents and learning goals. This first page also details the lessons that are included in the module.
Each lesson is divided into a number of topics. When you open a new lesson you will see a list of the topics that make up that lesson. Each topic is numbered and they follow one another in sequence.
You can study the lessons in whatever order you prefer and jump to any topic during a lesson. Notice, however, that it is often necessary to master the previous step before you can proceed to the next one. It is therefore recommended that you study the course in the order set out and proceed from one lesson to the next, especially if you are studying an area that is completely new to you.
You can follow your progress during the lesson on the taskbar at the bottom of your screen. Switch from one topic to the next in a lesson by clicking on the relevant topic in the list.
On the left hand side of each page there are links to the front page of the eCourse in Statistics, to the front page of the module and to the front page of the lesson.
You can study the modules of the eCourse in Statistics in the order you want to. The study materials are designed for independent study: you choose the topics that interest you most and then proceed according to your own plan.
You can either study each module in its entirety or only selected parts of a module. The introduction on the first page of the module is designed to give an overview of its main content. The contents and learning goals of each lesson are described in more detail on the first page of the respective lesson. Each lesson also has a pre-test in which you can measure your advance knowledge of the subject.
The materials of the eCourse in Statistics are easy to print. Before printing, however, it is advisable to convert the section or sections concerned into a printable version; you can do this easily by clicking on the printer button on the page.
The eCourse in Statistics can be used on almost any computer. The course it optimised for use with the most common browsers, such as Netscape and Explorer.
All the modules of the eCourse in Statistics include a large number of exercises, which are designed with the independent student in mind: there are clear instructions on how to proceed and to check the right answers.
The purpose of these exercises is to give you an opportunity to put to test what you have learned and to see how you have progressed. Consisting mainly of multiple choice tasks, the exercises focus on the key topics of each lesson. In some lessons there are also practical exercises of statistical computing.
The lessons also include some recap exercises that will allow you to see whether you have learned the main points of a lesson. Most lessons also have a pre-test at the beginning in which you can measure your own advance knowledge of the subject.
The eCourse in Statistics currently consists of four study modules:
We welcome any feedback and comments that can help improve our eCourse in Statistics, whether they concern study materials, exercises, examples, links or navigation.
Just email us at:
koulutuspalvelut@tilastokeskus.fi
Last updated 13.10.2009
Statistics Finland
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