NEW WAYS OF LEARNING: SPAS – A GAME FOR LEARNING MATHEMATICAL STATISTICS
NEW WAYS OF LEARNING: SPAS – A GAME FOR LEARNING MATHEMATICAL STATISTICS

Summary/Abstract: The authors’ intention is to show that mathematical statistics can be learned by means of an adventure computer game. Probability and mathematical statistics provide students with the means for: 1) analyzing the environment, 2) establishing a mathematical model and 3) elaborating a prognosis. These 3 steps were transformed in levels of a serious game, called by us SPAS – Statistics and Probability for Alien Students. The main characters of the game emerged from an opinion poll realized with a second year BA group of students. The theoretical background required for completing the levels of the game is the knowledge corresponding to a second year course in Probability and Statistics. Thus, passing from one level to the other requires: the knowledge of the main classical distribution laws; the estimation of the parameters for these laws corresponding to given statistical series; and a deep understanding of the hypothesis tests involved in statistical modeling of the real world problems. The game is a single player quest. Its various levels include a shooting game, a card playing game and a volcano explosion adventure. The assets of the game include some theoretical material, but in order to successfully complete the game, the student has to rely on the knowledge acquired during the university course.

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