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

• Strengthen and deepen your understanding of statistics and the statistical content of AS/A level Further Mathematics
• Support you to build on existing teaching strategies and pedagogical skills to bring statistics to life in the classroom
• Extend your statistical modelling skills
• Develop confidence using technology to support students' understanding of key statistical concepts, including working with real data and the use of dynamic simulations

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.

Tue 4 Mar:  Properties of discrete random variables
Tue 11 Mar:  The binomial and Poisson distributions
Tue 25 Mar:  Geometric and negative binomial distributions
Tue 1 Apr:  Unbiased estimators and the Central Limit Theorem
Tue 29 Apr:  Hypothesis testing and the t distribution
Tue 6 May:  Confidence intervals
Tue 20 May:  Chi squared tests: contingency tables and goodness of fit for discrete distributions
Tue 3 Jun:  Type I and Type II errors; power
Tue 10 Jun:  Probability generating functions
Tue 1 Jul:  Regression and correlation
Tue 8 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.

Priority will be given to teachers working in state-funded schools and colleges in England. Please note that the course capacity is limited and places are allocated with the expectation that teachers will attend both study days. Please do not apply for this course unless you are prepared to commit to attending the study days.

A limited number of places are available for teachers working outside the state-funded sector in England; once these places have been allocated, applicants from this group will be added to a waiting list.

Cost

This course is free of charge to teachers working in state-funded schools and colleges in England. For others the course fee is £495.

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 start at 10:00 and finish by 16:00, with lunch and refreshments provided.

Participants are expected to attend both face to face study days. Before applying, please ensure that you will be able to organise any necessary supply cover.

Please note that although it is our intention to run these study days face-to-face, exceptional circumstances may require events to be moved online. 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 upon the core concepts of the course. 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:#12900
• Audience:Teachers
• Curriculum focus:A level Further Mathematics
• Mathematical focus:Statistics
• Event format:Blended
• Duration:6 months
• Study days:2
• Online sessions:11
• Region:National
• Fee:Free for state-funded schools; £495 otherwise
• TSMA subsidy:2 x £200