Probability and statistics is usually first introduced as a concept to students at the age of nine or ten and it becomes an integral part of secondary school mathematics. Along with algebra, understanding probability and statistics has become a core component of what is generally referred to as mathematical literacy.

The Teaching and Learning of Probability and Statistics offers a fresh perspective on the challenges and difficulties of effectively engaging students and provides the reader with both a practical and research focused introduction to the main issues in school algebra education.. Citing the latest research in developing statistical literacy, thinking, and reasoning in young people, the authors provide practical recommendations and orientations for the teaching of statistics and probability, both in terms of teacher training and classroom implementation.

Areas covered include:-

  • Foundational principles of probability and statistics
  • The role of technology
  • Collecting, representing and analysing data
  • Modelling data
  • Statistical inference and decision making

Throughout the text the authors show that teaching often fails because many statistical concepts are taught in a way that makes it difficult for students to connect ideas that they study with ideas that they already have-thus leading students to lean or memorise as a way to cope with instruction that makes little sense to them.

This important book proposes new ways of thinking about the ideas of probability and statistics that will guide maths researchers, teachers and teacher educators in rethinking maths instruction.

The authors conclude by exploring common misconceptions that can lead to problems within the classroom, common areas of difficulty within the field that present a particular challenge to students and reviewing the very best teacher resources currently available.

IMPACT (Interweaving Mathematics Pedagogy and Content for Teaching) is an exciting new series of advanced textbooks for teacher education which aims to advance the teaching of maths by integrating mathematics content teaching with the broader research and theoretical base of mathematics education.