Pre-service Teachers’ Probabilistic Reasoning in Constructivist Classroom

Evans Kofi Hokor

doi:10.29333/pr/7838

Abstract

Several studies revealed that probability misconceptions were widespread among students, but the activities for addressing the misconceptions has been lacking. This study designed activities that reflect real life situations for addressing equiprobability bias, positive and negative recency effects, belief bias and representativeness bias for teaching probability globally. Thirty-two pre-service teachers from one intact class were purposively sampled for the study. The instruments used in the collection of data were observation and questionnaire. The study found constructivist approach of teaching with critical questions asked by the teacher to be vital in addressing misconceptions. The findings suggest that teacher educators should use the constructivist approach of teaching targeting probabilistic misconceptions in training of teachers.

Highlights

The study of probability throughout the world remains important to every nation because of many uncertain situations around us
The purpose of this study is to provide assessment of constructivist approach of teaching probability targeting the equiprobability bias, positive and negative recency effects, belief and representativeness bias
Students’ Perceptions of Constructivist Approach of Teaching Students’ whose reasoning were found to be inconsistent about random event based on the video assessment were given questionnaire to express their view on the lesson

Summary

Introduction

The study of probability throughout the world remains important to every nation because of many uncertain situations around us. Success in any form of education and training and in all fields of human endeavor worldwide depends largely upon the ability of the individual to make informed choices. Irrespective of the language you speak or country you live in, the uses of probability remain essential tool in decision making, and to that extent transformation of society. Both young and old are confronted with uncertain situations daily, in such environment the importance of good probabilistic reasoning can never be underestimated

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion