Methods and Content for Providing Better Statistics Instruction
10:15 AM Thursday, February 20, Session Chair: Bob Andrews, Location: McRae Room
Abstract: Program creation and course instruction involves deciding what should be included, how it should be delivered and selecting the best supplements to use to assist in the learning process. Session presenters will give their perspectives on: 1. Adapting course delivery and structure to different audiences, 2. Experiences with two different business statistics textbooks and course management systems, 3. Giving students exposure to Bayesian statistical methods. These initial presentations will serve as a springboard for the audience to react to the presenter's perspectives and provide their own perspectives on these topics.
Presenters:
Chris Lowery & William J. Miller (Georgia College & State University) Adapting to Different Audiences
Joan Donohue (University of South Carolina) Comparing Aplia, Connect, MyStatLab & WileyPlus
Robin Synder Bayesian Statistics

Overview of Analytics Capabilities for Excel 2013 Data
1:30 PM Thursday, February 20, Session Chairs: Bob & Wilma Andrews, Location: McRae Room
Abstract: Traditional uses of Excel do not take advantage of the analytics capabilities of Excel 2013 Professional. This session will explore these capabilities and give an overview of new 2013 features that include Office Apps, PowerView, PowerPivot, PowerMap (GeoFlow), and PowerQuery and a couple Excel Add-ins that can be easily used for analytics.
Presenters:
Robert Andrews & Wilma Andrews (Virginia Commonwealth University) Excel 2013 Analytics Capabilities

What Issues do Big Data Present for Business Education?
3 PM Thursday, February 20, Session Chair: Bob Andrews, Location: McRae Room
Abstract: Big Data has received a lot of attention in business publications. How should course content and curriculum be influenced by Big Data? Are there different skills and knowledge that we should be teaching to better prepare students for a business environment that will be seeking to obtain actionable knowledge from the increased volume, variety and velocity of available data? Are there topics that have been historically taught in business statistics that should be replaced with Big Data relevant topics? The presenters and those attending will discuss these questions.
Presenters:
Bob Stine (Wharton School of U. Penn.) Fitting Big Data into Business Statistics
Kellie Keeling (University of Denver) Issues of Big Data in Business Education
Robert Andrews (V.C.U.) Perspectives on Big Data for Business Statistics

Experience with Adding Analytics to the Academic Program
8:45 AM on Friday, February 21, Session Chair: Bob Andrews, Location: McRae Room
Abstract: Analytics is a hot topic with numerous sources forecasting that the future demand for individuals with analytics skills will exceed the supply. Universities are considering how analytics offerings can be included in their program offerings to provide better job opportunities for their graduates. The session will focus on experiences in creating an analytics course and in determining the curriculum for a degree component in analytics. Session leaders have a variety of experiences ranging from the undergraduate to graduate level. Audience members will be encouraged to share their experience and enter into discussion about analytics courses and curriculum.
Presenters:
Kirk Karwan (Furman University) relates his experience with developing and teaching an undergraduate business analytics course and his experience and advice on including analytics in the curriculum. (presentation)
Kellie Keeling (University of Denver) discusses changes at the University of Denver that include updating the business core statistics/IT courses to be a 3-course analytics sequence, adding an undergraduate analytics major and minor, and revamping our MS Business Intelligence program into a MS Business Intelligence and Analytics program. (presentation)
Cem Canel, Stephen Hill & Barry Wray (UNC Wilmington) describe challenges associated with development of a Business Analytics minor at UNC Wilmington, along with their initial course offering in Business Analytics and plans for future courses, as well as lessons learned and opportunities for improvement and interdisciplinary cooperation. (presentation)

Real-World Application & Usage of IBM Analytics Technology
10:15 AM on Friday, February 21, Session Chair: Bob Andrews, Location: McRae Room
Abstract: Faculty in Schools of Business seeking to make statistics more effective will benefit from this session that will begin with the end goal in mind--what are employers looking for a recent grad to be able to do their first day on the job? Building on a foundation of understanding of what is data mining, and how it differs from statistics, the ideal future employee will understand the problem being solved, how technology like IBM SPSS Modeler can be used to solve the problem, and finally communicate that value of the insights gained to the business. This session will include a digestible, impactful demo of how SPSS Modeler can be used in your courses to provide insights.
Presenter: Anthony J. Young IBM SPSS Modeler demonstration
Session Coordinator: Penelope Gardner Steps for Accessing IBM Academic Initiative Resources