Introducing Simulation via the Theory of Records

While spreadsheet simulation can be a useful method by which to help students to understand some of the more advanced concepts in an introductory statistics course, introducing the simulation methodology at the same time as these concepts can result in student cognitive overload. This article describes a spreadsheet model that has been successfully utilized to introduce simulation as early as the third week of class–within the context of assigning probabilities–using a topic that students find immediately interesting: the theory of records. Use of this simulation in early class sessions not only facilitates student learning of later material but also builds a simulation knowledge base that can be leveraged in other classes.