Overview

Teaching Statistics 2 (TS2) is an extended professional development course for teachers wishing to further build their confidence in teaching statistics. TS2 covers most of the statistics content from all major specifications for AS/A level Further Mathematics.

TS2 consists of:

• 11 live online tutorials
• Two compulsory study days
• A reference text to support your studies
• Access to course-specific teaching and learning resources on Integral (MEI’s learning platform)
• Email support from a tutor and access to an online group forum

Towards the end of the course a short assignment is issued, for which support and guidance are provided. Course certificates will be available for those participants completing the assignment.

In order to enrol on the TS2 course, participants should have a reasonable understanding of the statistics content of AS/A level Mathematics, ideally through having completed TS1, although this is not compulsory.

Aims

• Gain a deeper understanding of statistics
• Continue to develop confidence and skills to teach statistics for AS/A level Further Mathematics, focusing on subject knowledge and effective pedagogy
• Continue to develop confidence in working with technology to aid understanding of statistical concepts

Who will benefit from attending?

TS2 is designed for teachers who are currently teaching A level Further Mathematics, or who wish to teach it at some point in the near future. 

Our extended courses enable teachers to broaden and deepen their subject, pedagogical and pedagogical content knowledge. This makes teachers better equipped to make links between topics, address students’ misconceptions and confidently challenge learners at all attainment levels. Our course aims and intended outcomes are consistent with the principles set out in the Education Inspection Framework.

Content

Live online sessions take place on Tuesdays (16:30 to 17:45); these are recorded and available for playback.

Please note that this course is currently being updated, so the following session titles are subject to review.

6 Feb:  Properties of discrete random variables
5 Mar:  The binomial and Poisson distributions
12 Mar:  Geometric and negative binomial distributions
16 Apr:  Unbiased estimators and the Central Limit Theorem
30 Apr:  Hypothesis testing and the t distribution
14 May:  Confidence intervals
21 May:  Chi squared tests: contingency tables and goodness of fit for discrete distributions
4 Jun:  Type I and Type II errors; power
18 Jun:  Probability generating functions
25 Jun:  Correlation and regression
9 Jul:  Properties of continuous random variables

At the two course study days these topics will be explored further, with a greater emphasis on pedagogy. There will also be opportunities to consider how to use technology to support teaching. Please see the study schedule section below for further information.

Materials and equipment

A computer with a reliable internet connection will be required to attend the online tutorials. In addition, a headset or earphones with a microphone is suggested to get the best experience.

Eligibility

Participants must have a reasonable understanding of the statistics content of AS/A level Mathematics, ideally through having completed TS1, although this is not compulsory.

Cost

This course is free of charge to teachers working in state-funded schools and colleges in England. For others the course fee is £300.

Schools and colleges located in areas targeted for additional support (TSMAs) will receive a subsidy payment of £200 for each study day attended.

Study schedule

Study days

Study days are face-to-face events that take place from 10:00 to 16:00, with lunch and refreshments provided. Attendance at both days is expected.

Please note that although it is our intention to run these study days face-to-face, all events are subject to government restrictions and may be moved online if required. We therefore advise against making non-cancellable travel arrangements.

FAQs

It is difficult to be specific as this will depend on previous experience. In the past, participants have reported spending between one and four hours studying each week. We appreciate that most teachers have workloads that make regular study difficult, so the course is designed with flexibility in mind. We do ask that you have caught up with recordings of any missed sessions prior to attending study days.

It is not our usual policy to allow teachers to enrol on more than one extended course (TAM, TFM, TM, TS, TD) at the same time. Please contact us before making multiple course applications.

The end of course assignment is the only work that delegates hand in. The assignment requires you to answer questions based around data sets and probability. Use of technology is encouraged and an explanation of how the topics could be introduced and taught in the classroom is expected. To receive a certificate you will need to submit and pass the assignment. Certification is optional but we strongly encourage you to submit an assignment anyway to help you consolidate what you have learnt. In the past most teachers have chosen to submit an assignment.

We vary face-to-face study day locations. Recent study day locations have included London and Coventry.

Participant feedback

Good lively examples to help bring stats to life!

Great sessions - good to get hands on with data sets!

Lots of things I can use practically!

Key facts

• Reference:#12329
• Audience:Teachers
• Curriculum focus:A level Further Mathematics
• Mathematical focus:Statistics
• Format:Blended
• Duration:6 months
• Study days:2
• Online sessions:11
• Region:National
• Fee:Free for state-funded schools; £300 otherwise
• TSMA subsidy:2 x £200