Teaching Statistical Literacy Using Odysseys2sensetm: a Unique Web Discussion Forum

Teaching critical thinking is not easy. Teaching critical thinking to a large class, to an online class or to an accelerated class is difficult. Teaching critical thinking in a class such as statistical literacy where many of the students have low motivation can be extremely difficult. This paper focuses on the use of a new online discussion forum, Odysseys2senseTM, which develops civil discourse and critical thinking through anonymous peer review. Odysseys2senseTM – henceforth referred to as Odyssey – is like a game: players get power based on scores from other players using rating criteria that involve civility, accuracy and conceptual integration. Odyssey has been used in teaching statistical literacy (traditional, hybrid and online) at Augsburg College. Student feedback, grading and outcomes are presented along with the strengths and weaknesses of the program. This first use indicates that Odyssey is a unique and powerful tool that can encourage critical thinking in large classes, in online classes, in accelerated classes that require rapid turnaround of student work and in quantitative classes where student motivation is low.