Enhancing students’ stochastic culture: factors of organizing effective educational process

Introduction. The authors focus on developing students' stochastic and information culture. The objective of the article is to identify the factors which contribute to effective educational process aimed at improving the quality of students’ stochastic culture. Materials and Methods. The theoretical study involves an analysis of mathematical, psychological, pedagogical, scientific and methodological literature and generalization of educational research investigations on developing students’ stochastic culture. The authors performed experimental evaluation of using computer technology in higher educational institutions. The single studies on the considered problem are summarized and the general conclusions are drawn. Specific issues of using computer technologies are identified. The authors relied on such empirical methods as: observation, survey and computer-based analysis of learning outcomes. Results. The authors reveal the factors in educational process contributing to nurturing students’ stochastic culture. The stochastic content of the material and types of computer technologies correspond to fields of study and should be career-relevant. Curriculum and instruction for students include laboratory projects in different issues of Stochastics, taking into account the levels of computer literacy. The system of career-relevant practical tasks involves designing a computer program which calculates various stochastic parameters. The authors emphasize that professionally-focused practical tasks enhance students’ stochastic and information culture, motivation and learning outcomes. It is argued that factors contributing to effective stochastic learning are based on student-centered and differentiated approaches to instruction in Higher educational institutions. Conclusions. The authors summarize the factors of effective educational process aimed at improving the quality of students’ stochastic culture by means of computer technology.