Modelling and Experiments – An Interactive Approach towards Probability and Statistics

Abstract

Modelling enriches the picture of mathematics and has a strong formative potential for probabilistic and statistical concepts. Experiments and case studies are presented and discussed here to corroborate this view. Activities and interactivity help to integrate learners into the processes and are vital for a modelling approach. Modelling is learnt as a handicraft by doing. Essential features of it are missed if it were passively ‘consumed’. One case study is extensively discussed to transmit a modelling-entrenched view on this field of mathematics, which is extremely prolific for modelling. Usually notions arise more or less out of an abstraction from real world. Here, the concepts are often the result of an imputation of an idea to reality. This artificial character is best learned by returning to the roots, i.e., by modelling. We describe modelling in probability and statistics, the basic competencies required, and our experiences with teachers.