Understandıng Statıstıcs and Probabılıty through the Normal Curve Slıder: A Qualıtatıve Investıgatıon
Joel C. Patiño Jr.
*
Instructor III, College of Teacher Education, Cotabato State University, Cotabato City, Philippines.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Essential components of any educational setting are instructional materials. They improve the teaching-learning process as a whole. The purpose of this investigation was to cultivate a better understanding of how the normal curve slider has helped students of statistics and probability acquire knowledge and skills pertaining to normal distribution. A sample of nine participants from Notre Dame Village National High School's Humanities and Social Sciences department were subjected to a three-week intervention of utilizing the smaller and bigger normal curve sliders before the COVID-19 outbreak began. Through the use of in-depth, one-on-one interviews, a qualitative approach based on phenomenology was implemented. The results of the study showed that students had a positive attitude towards the use of innovative instructional materials and that they regard their utilization as successful. From differentiating properties to locating areas under a normal curve, the slider helped the understanding of the normal curve competencies. More participants appreciated its usage, while there were few issues faced when using it. Even with students in senior high school, using manipulatives such as innovative instructional materials, can greatly improve their motivation and the outcomes of their learning.
Keywords: Normal curve slider, instructional material, statistics and probability, phenomenology, Philippines