Todd Swanson

Todd Swanson has been a member of the mathematics department since 1989. He predominantly teaches introductory courses in mathematics and statistics, and he has coauthored numerous textbooks.

Under his mentorship, many of his students have won awards in the Undergraduate Statistics Class Project Competition.

Todd has presented at numerous national meetings, workshops and mini-courses on innovative ways to teach mathematics and statistics that focus on guided-discovery methods and projects. His work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the Great Lakes College Association, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Teagle Foundation and 暗网TV.

AREAS OF expertise

Todd writes curriculum materials for introductory mathematics and statistics courses that focus on active learning. His focus lately has been on how to teach introductory statistics using simulation-based methods.

EDUCATION

M.A., Mathemathics, 1989, Michigan State University
B.S., Mathematics, 1985, Grand Valley State University

Honors & Awards

Best Journal of Statistical EducationPaper, 2018 and 2012
Daniel Solow Author鈥檚 Award for Introduction to Statistical Investigations, Mathematics Association of America, 2018
Most Promising New Textbook Award, for Introduction to Statistical Investigations, Textbook and Academic Authors Association, 2017
Janet L. Andersen Excellence in Teaching Award, 暗网TV, 2009

PUBLISHED WORK

Books

Intermediate Statistical Investigations,with Tintle, B. Chance, K. McGaughey, S. Roy and J. Vanderstoep, John Wiley & Sons, 2021
A Spiral Approach to Financial Mathematics, with N. Tintle and N. Schelhaas, Academic Press, 2018
Introduction to Statistical Investigations, AP Edition, with Tintle, Ruth Carver, B. Chance, G. Cobb, A. Rossman, S. Roy and J. Vanderstoep, John Wiley & Sons, 2018; 2nd ed. 2020
Introduction to Statistical Investigations, with N. Tintle, B. Chance, G. Cobb, A. Rossman, S. Roy and J. Vanderstoep, John Wiley & Sons, 2015
Understanding our Quantitative World, Mathematics Association of America, 2005
Precalculus: A Study of Functions and their Applications, Harcourt College Publishing, 2001
Projects for Precalculus, Saunders College Publishing, 1997

Select Articles and Book Chapters

鈥淎ssessing the Association Between Pre-course Metrics of Student Preparation and Student Performance in Introductory Statistics: Results from Early Data on Simulation-Based Inference vs. Nonsimulation-Based Inference,鈥� with Tintle, Jake Clark, K. Fisher, B. Chance, G. Cobb, S. Roy, and J. Vanderstoep, Journal of Statistics Education, 2018
鈥淐ombating Anti-statistical Thinking Using Simulation-based Methods throughout the Undergraduate Curriculum,鈥� The American Statistician, 2015
鈥淩etention of Statistical Concepts in a Preliminary Randomization-Based Introductory Statistics Curriculum,鈥� Statistics Education Research Journal, 2012
鈥淒evelopment and Assessment of a Preliminary Randomization-Based Introductory Statistics Curriculum,鈥� Journal of Statistics Education, 2011
鈥淧recalculus: A Study of Functions and their Applications,鈥� in A Fresh Start for Collegiate Mathematics: Rethinking the Courses below Calculus, MAA Notes #69, 2006
鈥淒o Dogs Know Calculus? A Statistical Investigation,鈥� STATS: The Magazine for Students of Statistics, 2004

Outside the college

Todd serves as director of running events on the board of the Holland Running Club. He has run many marathons (including a qualified Boston Marathon) and one ultramarathon. He enjoys other outdoor activities such as downhill skiing, paddle boarding, kayaking and golf. He and his wife Debra (a Hope sociology professor) have two grown children.