Noel Enyedy, Assistant Professor
University of California at Los Angeles
Graduate School of Education & Information Studies

In this talk I report on the Probability Inquiry Environment (PIE), which
facilitates the development of probabilistic reasoning by making available
collaborative inquiry activities and student-controlled computer
simulations. These activities guide students toward a deeper understanding
of probability, a domain that is becoming increasingly important in the K-12
mathematics curricula of the United States but which is notoriously
difficult to learn.  PIE was designed around 3 basic assumptions.  First,
that effective learning will be built on students existing intuitions about
the domain and not solely upon the logical structure of the target domain.
Second, that learning probability requires students to reorganize their
thinking around particular mathematical tools.  Third, that social
interactionóboth between the students and the teacher and between
peersóplays a major role in conceptual change.  The talk will present the
computer environment and findings from its implementation in a seventh grade
classroom.