Teaching is still challenged by the integration of statistical analysis with probability
distributions and assumptions related to these models (Pfannkuch, 2005). Teachers have been
reluctant to introduce probability in the last years of elementary school (10–14 years old).
Serradó, Azcárate and Cardeñoso (2006) argue that such opposition is related to the fact that
many teachers believe that probability is not an elementary issue, and also to the conventional
and ‘tough’ way that textbooks address probability as unrelated to statistics.
Lopes (2003) points out the lack of teachers’ knowledge of interrelations between
probability and statistics, and of how such relations help with drawing inferences and making
more reasonable decisions. Lajoie (1998) considers that the essence of a distribution lies in the
clear link between statistics and probability. From this perspective, probabilistic thinking is
strongly related to thinking about variation.
According to Pfannkuch (2005), there is a need for deeper research that would examine
informal and formal reasoning about inferential statistics, and also for careful investigations
about the best ways to empower students to make connections between probability and
inferential statistics. In this context, we believe it is necessary to build on prior pedagogical
education, so that teachers might expand their professional knowledge and develop new
teaching approaches