Abstract

LOPEZ, Camilo  and  GOMEZ, Pedro. Probability in different countries of the world: teaching probability in primary education. Educ. mat. [online]. 2022, vol.34, n.3, pp.42-64.  Epub Mar 17, 2023. ISSN 2448-8089.  https://doi.org/10.24844/em3403.02.

In this study, we analysed the topics taught in probability in 57 countries. We made a conceptual structure in which we present the concepts, representations and phenomena that give meaning to this topic at this educational level. Based on that information, we reviewed the curricular information on probability up to the fourth grade in the 56 countries that participated in the international TIMSS 2015 study and in Colombia. Then, we compared the curricular information of the countries analyzed with the information found in Colombia. We found that approximately 45% of the countries that participated in TIMSS still do not include information for teaching probability in their curricula or only include the term probability. In the other countries and in Colombia, we identified that the most common topics are related to determining the possibility of the occurrence of events (possible, impossible, certain) in everyday life contexts that involve uncertainty or chance. We concluded that, although the literature shows the importance of including probability in the curriculum, its teaching still requires higher attention at this educational level.

Keywords : Curriculum; Primary education; Probability; Conceptual structure; Teaching of probability.