At the University of Exeter, we've been working on an initiative centered around a genetics Smart Worksheet, originally designed to support our undergraduate students in learning and practicing essential statistical skills. This worksheet uses data from their laboratory classes and is implemented as a summative assessment.    

A key driver for developing this tool was addressing the diverse mathematical backgrounds of our students. Each year, we find that about half of them haven't done any maths qualifications at A-Level, and we wanted to develop a tool that gave immediate real-time feedback, to aid skill development. The worksheet incorporates unique datasets generated in the genetics practical classes, providing each student with an individualised learning experience. 

Positive feedback from students indicates that it helped them overcome their "mathematical hesitancy" and apply these skills confidently in other modules. Notably, there was no significant difference in performance between bioscience and medical science students, despite being taught using different software.

The success of this project has sparked discussions about a potential shift in how statistics is taught across the Medical School. There's a growing argument for students to learn the fundamental principles of statistics and perform the tests themselves, rather than relying solely on automated software.

Since winning a Teaching Innovation Award for this project in 2023, the worksheet has also been adapted for our advanced biological sciences masters program. Our masters students cohort is very diverse, with students varying enormously in prior statistical training, and a large proportion of international students underperforming on summative statistical assessments. To address this attainment gap, Dr Alison Hill adapted the worksheet to be completed in a 2-hour formative workshop session.

The impact of this implementation has been significant. The worksheet itself is not inherently biased against international students, and students strongly agreed that the resource was effective in improving statistical skills and improving confidence in using statistical tests. In terms of our aim of closing the attainment gap, implementing the worksheet has helped significantly as the gap has started to close, and attainment has improved overall for all students. 

Additionally, the Smart Worksheet was the only approach that allowed us to successfully identify students requiring early intervention and support. This was particularly impactful as we really wanted a tool that was equally accessible to all students, and was able to pick out those who needed the support the most, without any bias against international students. Identifying those who were struggling enabled us to give targeted support to students that needed it. 

Since 2023, the genetics Smart Worksheet has become a key component of the University’s Skills Framework, used across faculties for bioscience, medical science and natural science students. This Skills Framework encourages students to develop and evidence key skills, increasing employability.