Integrating Big Data in Introductory Statistics Education - Challenges for Instructors and Students

Statistics education aims to equip students with theoretical concepts and analytical skills. In introductory statistics, training is focused on memorization of fundamental theorems and formulae with manual calculation. This study is in the first phase of a more comprehensive project to enhance under-graduate students’ big data literacy in introductory statistics. Challenges for instructors and students are described based on qualitative findings. Four aspects are introduced: (1) software acquaintance; (2) big data applications; (3) understanding differences in statistical inferences between small data and big data; and (4) modification of teaching/learning module. Integrating big data applications into introductory statistics can be beneficial for students in practical training and in capacity building.