Teachers’ Construction of Learning Environments for Conditional Probability and Independence

Randall E. Groth

doi:10.29333/iejme/248

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Randall E. Groth

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Abstract

Although literature on challenges to students’ learning of data analysis and probability has steadily accumulated over the past few decades, research on challenges encountered in teaching the content area is in its beginning stages. The present study aims to help build this area of research by identifying some knowledge elements necessary for teaching conditional probability and independence. Artifacts of classroom practice, including written plans and lesson video, were used to identify challenges encountered by teachers in establishing productive learning environments for students first learning the concepts. It is proposed that enhanced common and specialized content knowledge may help teachers address the challenges identified. Some salient aspects include knowledge of: distinctions among major concepts, data displays with pedagogical value, and the roles of fractions and combinatorial ideas in the psychology of learning conditional probability and independence. The discussion of these and other relevant knowledge aspects is drawn upon to propose potentially productive directions for teacher education efforts and future research.

Keywords

conditional probability
statistical independence
learning environments
mathematical knowledge for teaching

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

INT ELECT J MATH ED, Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2010, 32-35

https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/248

Publication date: 04 Apr 2010

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How to cite this article

APA

Groth, R. E. (2010). Teachers’ Construction of Learning Environments for Conditional Probability and Independence. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 5(1), 32-35. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/248

Vancouver

Groth RE. Teachers’ Construction of Learning Environments for Conditional Probability and Independence. INT ELECT J MATH ED. 2010;5(1):32-5. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/248

AMA

Groth RE. Teachers’ Construction of Learning Environments for Conditional Probability and Independence. INT ELECT J MATH ED. 2010;5(1), 32-35. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/248

Chicago

Groth, Randall E.. "Teachers’ Construction of Learning Environments for Conditional Probability and Independence". International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education 2010 5 no. 1 (2010): 32-35. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/248

Harvard

MLA

Groth, Randall E. "Teachers’ Construction of Learning Environments for Conditional Probability and Independence". International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, vol. 5, no. 1, 2010, pp. 32-35. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/248