[quote name=\'mcsittel\' post=\'128759\' date=\'Aug 23 2006, 07:24 PM\']
What would you suggest as the best example(s) of probability in game shows? I have some ideas but I'd like to hear from other fans as to what you think. Everything from simple examples to more challenging ones are welcome. I know we have some fellow teachers out there who I'm sure can help me out with what did/didn't work in the classroom, as well as students who had teachers who used game shows in the curriculum.[/quote]
Hi, Matt... great to see you around again! Mike took the words out of my mouth with DoND, since it's current and many of the students will likely know about it. (One of my weekly bonus games this year in my high school classes will switch from being "Jackpot" to DoND.)
The last couple of years, I've had time after the AP Calculus exam to do a short unit on game show math (at the request of the students, and of course I don't refuse). A lot of what I do comes from TPIR; one of the best probability exercises was to have students calculate the expected value of a Plinko chip when dropped from each of the possible positions. (Students worked on various positions in pairs and then compared results.) There's also a good discussion of PYL strategy -- what is the probability, for example, that someone will hit at least one whammy if they are passed four spins?
"High Rollers" is a fun game to play with students, and it offers some obvious probability questions as decisions are made whether to play or pass, as well as deciding which numbers to remove. Likewise, Tim is right that "Card Sharks" offers some simpler yet similar opportunities. And, for those wanting a real challenge, try to calculate the probability of someone getting a Lingo in the endgame with 5 balls to pull.
If you plan on using any of these (or other) games in the classroom, there is one key piece of advice I can offer... arrange things so that everyone is on task as much as possible. It's one reason I don't do something like "Weakest Link," since people get eliminated and have nothing to do. There's a variety of ways to keep students engaged, but you're sure to have problems if you don't plan to do that. Likewise, planning is a critical issue as well; my worst experiences with games in my classroom have been those where I've tried to "wing" something without much preparation.
Good luck, and let us all know how things work for you!
David