This paper is from Session 6D: Role of Probability ‘Games’ in Learning
which comes under Topic 6: Innovations in teaching probability
Paper 6D1 (Thursday 12th, 16:00-17:30)
Applying probability rules to games of chance than involve risk: a didactical strategy
Presenter
- Beatriz Adriana Rodríguez González (Universidad Politécnica de Zacatecas, Mexico)
Co-author
- Isaias Miranda Viramontes (Universidad Politécnica de Zacatecas, México)
Abstract
This paper explores the effects of an innovative didactical strategy (called The Probability Festival, PF) to help university students to signify the concept of probability. This strategy has been implemented four times (one semester each) by three different college teachers. The PF consisted in dividing the group into teams. Each team had to create games of chance involving risk and to explain how concepts related to probability were involved in the game. A worksheet assessment, which was modified throughout the Probability Festivals, was used to evaluate students' explanations. The results we analyze come from the 42 students who participated in the third PF. Data interpretation shows that students improve their understanding of concepts once they have to explain how their games are in their favor.