1. Preservice Secondary Mathematics Teachers' Approaches to Probabilistic and Stochastic Problem Solving Using Computer Simulations
- Author
-
Karoline Smucker
- Abstract
Probabilistic simulations have long served as instructional tools in statistics and probability education. With advances in technology, computer simulation environments where large quantities of data can be collected and analyzed have been suggested as venues for problem solving in contexts involving both known and unknown probability distributions. This research used task based interviews to examine how four secondary preservice mathematics teachers approached seven probabilistic and stochastic contexts which included designed computer simulation environments. The interviews included tasks involving both known and unknown probability distributions. Participants' problem solving and stochastic modeling practices were considered, along with the role the simulations may have played in their approaches. This research proposes an empirically grounded model for problem solving with simulations in stochastic contexts based on participants? tendencies. Results suggest that participants' problem solving varied based on whether the task involved a known or unknown distribution. When tasks involved known distributions, the simulations were used primarily to confirm or test mathematical ideas from outside the simulation. In contexts involving unknown distributions, participants used the simulation environment to investigate empirically and provide approximations and inferences. Prior experience in statistics and probability played a key role in problem solving outside the simulation, and included mathematizing the contexts using distributions, lists, charts, and formulas. In the simulation environments, participants worked mathematically with the data using calculations, proportions, counts, and graphs. Data collection in the simulation environments tended to be iterative, with participants testing, evaluating, and refining ideas over several rounds, though the amount of data which they considered to be necessary to draw conclusions varied significantly based on context. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
- Published
- 2022