This is a session of Topic 6: Innovations in teaching probability

Session 6C (Thursday 12th, 14:00-15:30,   Level 3 - Conference Room D)

Teaching Probability in School - Understanding Probability and Linking to Statistical Inference

Organizer

• Manfred Borovcnik (Austria) : Session chair

Abstract

Games and simulation of experiments are intended to facilitate the approach to the concepts of probability. The role of patterns in such experiments has to be clarified. Students’ perceptions about patterns and the purpose of such experiments have to integrated into the learning processes. Key aspects are the context of the experiments (or the real-world situation that is modelled by them) and the link to statistical inference. According to the various interpretations of probability, the way to inference is via repeated sampling or by games and decisions. The first is connected to the frequency interpretation of probability and leads to the sampling distribution, the second is related to the subjectivist interpretation and leads to Bayesian methods of inference. The session deals with both aspects including a combined approach to teach both in parallel. For didactic suggestions it is essential to know about fundamental ideas of students in the repeated binomial experiment, about conceptions on the variability of such experiments and about strategies the students use to orientate themselves and judge the results of these experiments. Studies with groups of high-school students is examined in this session. Beyond that, the role of games and decisions in long-term curricular projects is investigated.

Papers