Structured, Interactive Resources for Teaching Bayesian Inference

Most statistics undergraduate curricula provide only a brief introduction to Bayesian inference. Furthermore, there is evidence that learners can fail to appreciate core concepts of the Bayesian framework because of the focus on the mathematical formalism that is common in traditional instruction of Bayesian inference. Guided exercises and interactive simulations are promising alternatives for introducing Bayesian inference. However, these two types of resources have thus far been developed separately, which may make them less effective. In this work, we bridge this gap by developing interactive, structured resources in the form of web apps and accompanying activity sheets with guiding exercises. We also incorporate student feedback via think-aloud sessions. This allows us to pinpoint sources of confusion in students, e.g., problems constructing their priors.