“Dealing” With the Central Limit Theorem
SMC Affiliated Work
1
Status
Faculty
School
School of Science
Department
Psychology
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2008
Publication / Conference / Sponsorship
Teaching of Psychology
Description/Abstract
We describe an easy-to-employ, hands-on demonstration using playing cards to illustrate the central limit theorem. This activity allows students to see how a collection of sample means drawn from a nonnormally distributed population will be normally distributed. Students who took part in the demonstration reported it to be helpful in understanding the theorem, enjoyable, and worthwhile. An analysis of open-ended exam questions indicated that students who participated in this demonstration possessed greater understanding of the central limit theorem than those who participated in an alternate demonstration and those who witnessed a standard presentation on the central limit theorem that included no demonstration.
Scholarly
yes
DOI
10.1080/00986280802186201
Volume
35
Issue
3
First Page
198
Last Page
200
Disciplines
Psychology
Original Citation
Matz, David & Hause, Emily. (2008). “Dealing" with the Central Limit Theorem. Teaching of Psychology, 35 (3), 198-200.
Repository Citation
Matz, David and Hause, Emily. “Dealing” With the Central Limit Theorem (2008). Teaching of Psychology. 35 (3), 198-200. 10.1080/00986280802186201 [article]. https://digitalcommons.stmarys-ca.edu/school-science-faculty-works/270
