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The Shape of Things to Come: The Computational Pictograph as a Bridge From Combinatorial Space to Outcome Distribution

  • Computer Math Snapshots
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International Journal of Computers for Mathematical Learning Aims and scope Submit manuscript

This column will publish short (from just a few paragraphs to ten or so pages), lively and intriguing computer-related mathematics vignettes. These vignettes or snapshots should illustrate ways in which computer environments have transformed the practice of mathematics or mathematics pedagogy. They could also include puzzles or brain-teasers involving the use of computers or computational theory. Snapshots are subject to peer review. This snapshot introduces a computer-based representation and activity that enables students to simultaneously ``see'' the combinatorial space of a stochastic device (e.g., dice, spinner, coins) and its outcome distribution. The author argues that the ``ambiguous'' representation fosters student insight into probability.

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References

  • Abrahamson, D. and Cendak, R.M. (2006). The odds of understanding the law of large numbers: A design for grounding intuitive probability in combinatorial analysis. In J. Novotna´, H. Moraova´, M. Kra´tka´ and N. Stehlíková (Eds.), Proceedings of the Thirtieth Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, Vol. 2 (pp. 1–8). Charles Universiy, Prague, Czech Republic: PME

  • Abrahamson, D., Janusz, R., M. and Wilensky, U. (2006). There once was a 9-Block... – A middle-school design for probability and statistics. Journal of Statistics Education, 14(1). http://www.amstat.org/publications/jse/v14n1/abrahamson.html

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA

    Dor Abrahamson

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  1. Dor Abrahamson
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Correspondence to Dor Abrahamson.

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Computer Math Snapshots Editor: Uri Wilensky Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling Northwestern University, USA E-mail: uri@northwestern.edu

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Abrahamson, D. The Shape of Things to Come: The Computational Pictograph as a Bridge From Combinatorial Space to Outcome Distribution. Int J Comput Math Learning 11, 137–146 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-006-9102-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-006-9102-y

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