Site: SticiGui - http://www.stat.Berkeley.EDU/users/stark/SticiGui/Text/index.htm
Overview
SticiGui is an all inclusive statistical textbook and class manager developed by Philip B. Stark of the University of California, Berkeley's Department of Statistics. The text covers a variety of introductory statistical topics, such as measures of central tendency, probability, and regression. Included within the text is a glossary that allows the reader to click on a highlighted term for further explanation, sample problems (with the answers and how they were obtained), a review section of key concepts, a calculator, access to course grades and statistical tools. The tools section was particularly useful in that it allows the reader to both see a particular method (regression for example) and what will happen when the numbers are changed. This interactive component allows the beginning statistical student the opportunity to further understand the relationships between the data and the output.
Chapter One
We chose to review Chapter One because its content is related to our class presentation on basic graphics. Chapter One was nicely laid out and provided a good framework from which a beginning student could build. Each concept was adequately explained with heavy referencing to the text's glossary for further explanation of key concepts.
Of particular importance was the use of sample problems. These problems would ask a question concerning a previously explained concept. The student then inputs his/her answer and is given immediate feedback as to the appropriateness of the response (The box to the right of the answer displays either a green check mark for a correct answer or a red "X" for an incorrect answer. If an incorrect answer is given, the student can click on the red "X" and the correct answer will be displayed in a pop up box.). For further explanation on how to arrive at the correct answer, a "Solutions" link is provided below the answer box. This link provides the reader with a detailed, step-by-step method of obtaining the correct answer.
Another excellent addition to the chapter text is the use of case studies. Case studies allow the student to see the application used in a real life scenario. For most beginning statistical students, using a statistical technique outside of the classroom is one of the hardest concepts to grasp. Each case study is presented in a fashion that is easy to read and understand. Charts or graphs are also used to help support and facilitate learning. Overall, I found this book very useful and feel it would benefit the beginning statistical student for the above reasons.
Disadvantages
Many of the features, such as sample problems outside of the chapter text and access to grades, requires the reader to register his information. It is unclear as to whether anyone can register or only those attending the course at U.C. Berkeley. The text is still useful to a beginning student without these features, but it registration is required, students might be left wondering if they are missing something important by not having access to these areas.