Game Invention as Means to Stimulate Probabilistic Thinking

Abstract

In this paper, we make a qualitative analysis of didactic experiments performed with five 6 to 10-year-old children and five primary school teachers, starting from a structured game with probabilistic elements. The fundamental idea is to stimulate probabilistic thinking not only by playing a card game with decision making in uncertain situations, but by inventing games modifying the initial game. These experiments are grounded on the importance of emotions for learning, the subjective probability approach, and researches on problem posing. We have found that this activity of inventing games has a significant impact on the development of probabilistic thinking in children and teachers; it reduces the anxiety and it could be used in teaching strategies to foster statistical and probability literacy. Some of its positive effects are the strengthening of creativity, self-efficacy, self-esteem, the ability to ask questions, and the enjoyment of learning. First published February 2020 at Statistics Education Research Journal Archives

Profil Berpikir Probabilistik dalam Pemecahan Materi Peluang Kejadian Berdasarkan Self-efficacy

“…Menurut Jan dan Amit (2009), strategi dalam berpikir meliputi keyakinan atau alasan (beliefs), estimasi subjektif (subjective estimations), estimasi percobaan (chance estimations) dan pemilihan perhitungan probabilitas secara teoritis (probabilistic calculations). Pemikiran probabilistik telah dimulai dengan investigasi pada intuisi dan kesulitan belajar yang menjadi pengetahuannya berbeda-beda (Malaspina & Malaspina, 2020). Sehingga hal itu menunjukkan bahwa profil berpikir probabilistik dipengaruhi oleh berbagai aspek diantaranya self-efficcay, dengan self-efficacy yang tinggi, maka kecendurungn dalam mengambil keputusan lebih baik.…”

Teaching and learning probability using games: A systematic review of research from 2010-2020

“…Hands-on SET (Gordon et al, 2013) Blood donation game (Koparan, 2019) "Change?" (Malaspina & Malaspina, 2020) C. Lotto games Roulette game (Fernandez et al, 2020) Colour Pick (Lim et al, 2016) Plinko game (Naresh & Royce, 2013) D.…”

“…"Change?" (Malaspina & Malaspina, 2020): In this game, 16 cards from a regular deck are used, as shown in Figure 6. The game starts with shuffling and putting the cards face down on the table so that none of the players are able to see the values on the cards.…”

“…Probability is the measurement of uncertainty that is omnipresent in our everyday life situations (Koparan, 2019;Malaspina & Malaspina, 2020). Nikiforidou and Pange (2010) state that "every event is characterised by a sort of estimation about its probable, possible, improbable, desirable or unlikely outcome" (p. 305).…”

“…One example of meaningful contexts for probability can be provided through games (Batanero, 2013;Dayal, & Sharma, 2020). Malaspina and Malaspina (2020) argued, "games involve the learners in an active role of constructing mathematics" (p. 57) in a context. Games are often used in mathematics education for promoting the understanding of mathematical and statistical concepts.…”