Some Demonstration Programs for Use in Teaching Elementary probability: Parts 1 and 2

Graphical, computational, interactive, and simulation capabilities of computers can be successfully employed in the teaching of elementary probability, either as classroom demonstrations or as exploratory exercises in a computer laboratory. In this first paper of a contemplated series, two programs for EGA-equipped IBM-PC compatible machines are included with indications of their pedagogical uses. Concepts illustrated include the law of the large numbers, the frequentist definition of a probability, the Poisson distribution and process, and intuitive approaches to independence and randomness. (Commands for rough equivalents to the programs using Minitab are shown in the Appendix.)