Reading Groups
Are you interested in reading more on the theme of eCOTS 2026, Sparking Joy and Discovery In a World of AI? Even better, with a group of like-minded Statistics and Data Science educators? Here are a few great opportunities associated with eCOTS that you can sign up for through your eCOTS registration!
Bringing More Joy to the Classroom by Reading "How Learning Works"
Sheri Johnson (Kennesaw State University)
Monica Litzenberger (Saint John Fisher University)
Research-based teaching principles have transformative potential in statistics and data science education, yet many instructors struggle to translate evidence into practice. In this interactive reading group, Sheri Johnson and Monica Litzenberger will lead participants through How Learning Works: Eight Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching (Lovett et al., 2023), engaging with core ideas and discussing practical applications within statistics classrooms. Through collaborative reflection and discussion prompts, attendees will explore how learning science principles—such as student metacognition, practice with feedback, and motivation—can inform instructional design, assessment, and classroom interaction. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the research foundations of effective teaching and actionable strategies to enhance student learning in their own courses. This session is ideal for educators seeking to strengthen their pedagogical toolkit through evidence-based insights.
Description of Reading and Proposed Organization
We plan to meet virtually for an hour on Thursdays at 1 pm ET for four weeks.
All are welcome - advance reading is suggested but not necessary.
How Learning Works: Eight Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching (Lovett et al., 2023),
- July 23 Introduction & Chapters 1-2
- July 30 Chapters 3-4
- August 6 Chapters 5-6
- August 13 Chapters 7-8 & Conclusion
Click here for additional details.
CAUSE Reading Group: Highlighting "New" Researchers
Zachary del Rosario (Olin College)
Megan Mocko (UF Warrington College of Business)
CAUSE Reading group is an established reading group that meets every two weeks to discuss new and classic papers with relevance to statistics and data science education. Around eCOTS 2026, we will focus on "new authors in statistics education". We will invite these paper authors to discuss their work with the reading group. Please join us for a friendly, engaging discussion of interesting research with other members of our community!
- CAUSE reading group meets every 2 weeks on Zoom. A schedule and list of visiting authors will be provided to registrants in late April, in advance of our May/June launch
Reading Schedule:
- May 12th, 2026 @ 3pm ET
- Kulacki, A. R., & Aikens, M. L. (2026). Examining motivational attitudes toward statistics and their relationship to performance in life science students.Journal of Statistics and Data Science Education, 34(1), 36-47.
- Guest Author: Melissa Aikens
- Host: Megan
- May 19th, 2026 @ 3pm ET
- Samorodnitsky, S., Masotti, M., Zilinskas, R., Neher, A., Gliddon, A., Gliddon, L., ... & Le, L. (2026). Leveraging a Community Partnership to Provide Statistical Consulting Experience to Graduate Student Trainees. Journal of Statistics and Data Science Education, 34(1), 64-71.
- Guest Author: Sarah Samorodnitsky
- May 26th, 2026 @ 3pm ET
- Gerhart, N., Rastegari, E., & Cole, E. (2026). Analytics: what do business majors need and where do they get it?. Journal of statistics and data science education, 34(1), 48-63.
- June 2nd, 2026 @ 3pm ET
- Smith, L. M., Kumar, G., Chaudhary, P., & Gordon, B. (2025). Ethics in clinical research, e-module versus traditional online lecture, a randomized study. Journal of Statistics and Data Science Education, 33(3), 344-350.
- Guest Author: Lynette Smith
- June 9th, 2026 @ 3pm ET
- von Maltitz, M. J. (2026). Portfolios of Learning Evidence and Interview Assessments in a Mathematical Statistics Course. Journal of Statistics and Data Science Education, 34(1), 26-35.
- Guest Author: Michael J. von Maltitz