Teachers' Perceptions of Probability

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48082/espacios-a26v47n05-e11

Keywords:

probability, secondary education, perceptions, math teachers

Abstract

This study characterizes teachers' perceptions of probability and its teaching. Using a qualitative-interpretive approach based on a multiple-case study, eigh school mathematics teachers were interviewed. The results show that their perceptions are shaped by their prior teaching experiences and their disciplinary and didactic knowledge of probability. The study concludes that there is a need to strengthen teacher training in this subject in order to promote effective instruction in probability.

References

Álvarez-Arroyo, R., Batanero, C., y Gea, M. M. (2024). Probabilistic literacy and reasoning of prospective secondary school teachers when interpreting media news. ZDM – Mathematics Education, 56(6), 1045-1058. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-024-01586-8

Anasagasti, J., Izagirre, A., y Berciano, A. (2024). Actitud hacia la probabilidad y su enseñanza del profesorado de educación secundaria. Educación Matemática, 36(3), 143-172. https://doi.org/10.24844/EM3603.06

Ang, L. H., y Shahrill, M. (2014). Identifying students’ specific misconceptions in learning probability. International Journal of Probability and Statistics, 3(2), 23-29.

Baş, G., y Şentürk, C. (2019). Teaching-learning conceptions and curriculum fidelity: A relational research. International Journal of Curriculum and Instruction, 11(2), 163-180.

Batanero, C., Begué, N., Álvarez-Arroyo, R., y Valenzuela-Ruiz, S. M. (2021). Prospective Mathematics Teachers Understanding of Classical and Frequentist Probability. Mathematics, 9(19), 2526. https://doi.org/10.3390/math9192526

Batanero, C., Elgueda-Ibarra, M., y Gea, M. M. (2025). Probabilistic Language in Spanish Secondary Textbooks. Education Sciences, 15(8), 979. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15080979

Batanero, C., Gea, M. M. G. S., y Álvarez-Arroyo, R. (2023). La educación del razonamiento probabilístico. Educação Matemática Pesquisa, 25(2), 127-144. https://doi.org/10.23925/1983-3156.2023v25i2p127-144

Bowen, G. M., y Bartley, A. (2020). Helping students make sense of the “real world” data mess. Science Activities, 57(4), 143-153. https://doi.org/10.1080/00368121.2020.1843387

Budgett, S., y Pfannkuch, M. (2019). Visualizing Chance: Tackling Conditional Probability Misconceptions. En G. Burrill y D. Ben-Zvi (Eds.), Topics and Trends in Current Statistics Education Research (pp. 3-25). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03472-6_1

Burgos, M., López-Martín, M. D. M., Aguayo-Arriagada, C. G., y Albanese, V. (2022). Análisis cognitivo de tareas de comparación de probabilidades por futuro profesorado de Educación Primaria. Uniciencia, 36(1), 1-24. https://doi.org/10.15359/ru.36-1.38

Chan, K.-W., y Elliott, R. G. (2004). Relational analysis of personal epistemology and conceptions about teaching and learning. Teaching and Teacher Education, 20(8), 817-831. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2004.09.002

Di Martino, P., y Zan, R. (2015). The Construct of Attitude in Mathematics Education. En B. Pepin y B. Roesken-Winter (Eds.), From beliefs to dynamic affect systems in mathematics education (pp. 51-72). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-06808-4_3

Estrada, A., y Batanero, C. (2020). Prospective Primary School Teachers’ Attitudes towards Probability and its Teaching. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/5941

Estrada, A., Batanero, C., y Díaz, C. (2018). Exploring Teachers’ Attitudes Towards Probability and Its Teaching. En C. Batanero y E. J. Chernoff (Eds.), Teaching and Learning Stochastics (pp. 313-332). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72871-1_18

Estrada, A., Batanero, C., y Lancaster, S. (2011). Teachers’ Attitudes Towards Statistics. En C. Batanero, G. Burrill, y C. Reading (Eds.), Teaching Statistics in School Mathematics-Challenges for Teaching and Teacher Education (Vol. 14, pp. 163-174). Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1131-0_18

Freré Arauz, J. S., Véliz Gavilanes, J. P., Sarco Alemán, E. M., y Campoverde Jimenez, K. J. (2022). La percepción, la cognición y la interactividad. RECIMUNDO, 6(2), 151-159. https://doi.org/10.26820/recimundo/6.(2).abr.2022.151-159

Gal, I. (2005). Towards ‘probability literacy’ for all citizens: Building blocks and instructional dilemmas. En G. Jones (Ed.), Exploring probability in school: Challenges for teaching and learning (pp. 39-63). Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Gal, I., y Ginsburg, L. (1994). The Role of Beliefs and Attitudes in Learning Statistics: Towards an Assessment Framework. Journal of Statistics Education, 2(2), 3. https://doi.org/10.1080/10691898.1994.11910471

Gómez-Chacón, I. M. (2000). Affective influences in the knowledge of mathematics. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 43(2), 149-168. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1017518812079

Gómez-Chacón, I. M., Op’t Eynde, P., y De Corte, E. (2006). Creencias de los estudiantes de matemáticas. La influencia del contexto de clase. Enseñanza de las Ciencias, 24(3), 309-324. https://doi.org/10.5565/rev/ensciencias.3784

Groth, R., y Meletiou-Mavrotheris, M. (2018). Research on Statistics Teachers’ Cognitive and Affective Characteristics. En D. Ben-Zvi, K. Makar, y J. Garfield (Eds.), International Handbook of Research in Statistics Education (pp. 327-355). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66195-7_10

Hernández-Sampieri, R., y Mendoza, C. (2020). Metodología de la investigación: Las rutas cuantitativa, cualitativa y mixta. McGraw-Hill.

Herrera-Torrealba, V., Díaz-Levicoy, D., y Salcedo, A. (2025). Actitudes hacia la estadística y la probabilidad de profesores en formación: Una revisión sistemática. PARADIGMA, e2025001. https://doi.org/10.37618/PARADIGMA.1011-2251.2025.e2025001.id1707

Ignacio, N. G., Nieto, L. J. B., y Barona, E. G. (2006). The Affective Domain in Mathematics Learning. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 1(1), 16-32. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/169

Krainer, K., y Llinares, S. (2010). Mathematics teacher education. En P. Peterson, E. Baker, & B. McGaw (Eds.), International encyclopedia of education (Vol. 7, pp. 702-705). Elsevier.

Lau, W. W. F. (2022). Predicting Pre-service Mathematics Teachers’ Teaching and Learning Conceptions: The Role of Mathematical Beliefs, Mathematics Self-efficacy, and Mathematics Teaching Efficacy. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 20(6), 1141-1160. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-021-10204-y

López-Martín, M. D. M., Burgos Navarro, M., y Albanese, V. (2025). Preservice teachers interpreting and acting on students’ responses to a probability problem. Statistics Education Research JournaL, 24(2), 3. https://doi.org/10.52041/serj.v24i2.819

Martínez-Padrón, O. J., Fajardo-Valencia, A., y Mojica, D. B. (2024). Sistemas de Creencias de los Estudiantes en la Resolución de Problemas Probabilísticos. PARADIGMA, e2024002. https://doi.org/10.37618/PARADIGMA.1011-2251.2024.e2024002.id1535

MINEDUC. (2015). Bases curriculares 7o básico a 2° medio. Unidad de Currículum y Evaluación.

MINEDUC. (2018). Bases curriculares Primero a Sexto Básico. Unidad de Currículum y Evaluación.

MINEDUC. (2019). Bases Curriculares 3o y 4o medio. Unidad de Currículum y Evaluación.

Ministerio de Educación y Formación Profesional (MEFP). (2022). Real Decreto 157/2022, de 1 de marzo, por el que se establecen la ordenación y las enseñanzas mínimas de la Educación Primaria. MEFP.

Muñiz-Rodríguez, L., Rodríguez-Muñiz, L. J., y Alsina, Á. (2020). Deficits in the Statistical and Probabilistic Literacy of Citizens: Effects in a World in Crisis. Mathematics, 8(11), 1872. https://doi.org/10.3390/math8111872

National Center for Education Statistics. (2017). Adult literacy and lifeskills survey.NCTM

NCTM. (2000). Principles and standards for school mathematics. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Pallauta, J. D., Caviedes Barrera, S., Muñoz-Cruz, M., y Coragen Ballejo, C. (2023). La estadística y la probabilidad en libros de texto de Educación Infantil y Primaria de España y Chile. Edma 0-6: Educación Matemática en la Infancia, 12(2), 1-30. https://doi.org/10.24197/edmain.2.2023.1-30

Pallauta, J. D., Jácome Anaya, I. J., Lemarie Oyarzun, F. R., y Markovits Rojas, J. (2025). Effects of a training intervention on secondary school teachers’ attitudes toward statistics. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 20(3), em0838. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/16417

Sabariego, M., Massot, I., y Dorio, I. (2004). Métodos de investigación cualitativa. En R. Bisquerra (Ed.), Metodología de la investigación educativa (pp. 293-328). La Muralla.

Safrudiannur, S., y Rott, B. (2019). Measuring Teachers’ Beliefs: A Comparison of Three Different Approaches. EURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/110058

Sánchez Trujillo, M. D. L. Á., González De Ramírez, A. M., y Suárez Pizzarello, M. (2025). Concepciones, estrategias y emociones docentes frente al uso de IA. Revista de Estudios y Experiencias en Educación, 24(55), 210-225. https://doi.org/10.21703/rexe.v24i55.2991

Sharma, S. (2016). Probability from a socio-cultural perspective. Statistics Education Research Journal, 15(2), 126-144. https://doi.org/10.52041/serj.v15i2.244

Tan, C.-K., Harji, M. B., y Lau, S.-H. (2011). Fostering positive attitude in probability learning using graphing calculator. Computers & Education, 57(3), 2011-2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2011.05.005

Vásquez, C., y Alsina, Á. (2021). Analysing Probability Teaching Practices in Primary Education: What Tasks Do Teachers Implement? Mathematics, 9(19), 2493. https://doi.org/10.3390/math9192493

Vásquez, C., Seckel, M. J., y Alsina, Á. (2020). Belief system of future teachers on Education for Sustainable Development in math classes. Uniciencia, 34(2), 1-30. https://doi.org/10.15359/ru.34-2.1

Vásquez Ortiz, C., Alvarado Martínez, H., y Ruz, F. (2019). Actitudes de futuras maestras de educación infantil hacia la estadística, la probabilidad y su enseñanza. Educación Matemática, 31(3), 177-202. https://doi.org/10.24844/EM3103.07

Veloo, A., y Chairhany, S. (2013). Fostering Students’ Attitudes and Achievement in Probability Using Teams-games-tournaments. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 93, 59-64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.09.152

Vera, O., Batanero, C., D. Pallauta, J., y Valenzuela-Ruiz, S. M. (2025). Conocimiento Didáctico-Matemático de Profesores de Educación Primaria en Formación para Enseñar Probabilidad. Revista Portuguesa de Educação, 38(1), e25013. https://doi.org/10.21814/rpe.39849

Vesga-Bravo, G.-J., Angel-Cuervo, Z.-M., y Chacón-Guerrero, G.-A. (2022). Beliefs About Mathematics, Its Teaching, and Learning: Contrast Between Pre-service and In-service Teachers. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 20(4), 769-791. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-021-10164-3

Zhao, W., Mok, I. A. C., y Cao, Y. (2016). Curriculum reform in China: Student participation in classrooms using a reformed instructional model. International Journal of Educational Research, 75, 88-101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2015.10.005

Downloads

Published

2026-09-30

Similar Articles

1-10 of 47

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.