Students’ errors in solving probability problems viewed by learning style

Abstract

The students’ error in this study is an error made by students in solving probability problems. This study aims to describe students’ errors in probability problems viewed by learning styles. The learning style is a person’s main potential in thinking and processing activities to find out information. To explain this problem, first, we developed and validated three probability test items. Then, 26 students were given one set of tests and continued with the giving one set of learning style questionnaire. Next, six students were selected as representatives of each learning style group with the purposive sampling technique. The interview was conducted to ascertain the types of students’ errors. Finally, the data were analyzed based on Newman’s theory. The results showed that the types of errors made by the visual group consisting of misunderstanding the problem, being wrong in writing the final answer, and being wrong in carrying out problem-solving procedures. The types of errors made by the auditory group involve an error in carrying out problem-solving procedures, not knowing the concept to solve the test, and not understanding problems. The types of errors made by the kinesthetic group include misunderstanding problems and not knowing concepts to solve the test. This finding suggests that the types of students’ errors for the visual group consist of comprehension, encoding, and process skills; for the auditory group consist of process skills and transformation; for the kinesthetic group consist of comprehension and transformation.