Lifelong Learning Programme

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Experiences

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TEACHERS EXPERIENCES FORM

Title of the Experience
One day at Casino
Name of the teacher
Maria Olivotto
Country where it took place
Italy
School typology
High Secondary School
Thematic Area
Maths
Experience typology
Teaching in class, Extracurricular activity
Type of contact
Direct
Description of the Experience
I took advantage of a special occasion to bring students closer to probability calculus: it was Mardi Gras and, when they asked for a party, I suggested back to use our two-hour class to set up a gambling casino in the classroom. Each one of them was previously assigned a specific role, a role they were supposed to fit entirely, including outfits (the croupier, the cashier, the billionaire, some penniless seeking his/her fortune, the beautiful lady trying to hook the billionaire, the security guy, the bartender…). It was exactly like a role playing game, but we also reported the odds of each single game on a poster located at the side of each “pit”. I tried to draw the attention of the students on the idea of probability and let them have fun at the same time; then I could scientifically explain this same idea and use examples from the results we had reported on the posters. And they really enjoyed the experiment!

Comments on this Teachers Experience

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Date: 2014.11.02

Posted by Massimo Amato (Italy)

I think that this experience is relevant in two areas.
The first is the probability that is the most significant approach in the casino and in lot of other subjects: engineering, economics, business, medical, chemistry, ...
The second is the possibility to improve the results obtained to try to win at the non real casino or at the lottery etc.
And, at the end, the history of probability in math is a little novel to say at our students.

Date: 2014.10.16

Posted by Marieta Andreeva (Bulgaria)

I find the approach very interesting. It would be hard for me to implement it because I know nothing about casino games :) But, yes, I would use a card game or lottery or dice roll. In terms of teaching probabilities I also use examples of all students arranging for a photo, or arranging the flowers in the room in different ways.

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