A Survey on the Use of Context for Teacher Training in Probability and Statistics: Focusing on the Tuesday Birthday Problem

Abstract

Context plays a significant role in teaching probability and statistics; although its importance has been contended in previous studies, there is not sufficient research on the role of context. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the actual use of context in problem solving through pre-service mathematics teachers. We focussed on the Tuesday Birthday Problem, which requires awareness of context. Data were obtained from surveys involving 98 teachers and analysed by classifying answers based on the answer types related to context. Results revealed that there are three hurdles related to context in this problem: ‘generation of the idea of conditional probability,’ ‘identification of the necessary and sufficient context for the condition,’ and ‘correct use of the context.’