Content, Affective, and Behavioral Challenges to Learning: Students’ Experiences Learning Statistics

Abstract

This study examined the experiences of and challenges faced by students when completing a statistics course. As part of the requirement for this course, students completed a learning check-in, which consisted of an individual meeting with the instructor to discuss questions and the completion of a learning reflection and study plan. Forty psychology students enrolled in two sections of an introductory statistics course volunteered for the research study. The types of questions raised by students during their meetings and the themes found in their learning reflections are presented. Results from this study provide information about the content, affective, and behavioral challenges faced by students learning statistics.