Experiential Learning and Cognitive Competence of Grade 11 STEM in Statistics and Probability

Statistics and probability are essential tools for problem-solving, data analysis, and decision-making in many fields. Students must acquire strong conceptual knowledge and expert procedural skills to ensure mastery of these ideas. This study investigated the effect of experiential learning in enhancing cognitive competence in statistics and probability. It focused on random variables and probability distribution, normal distribution, and estimation of parameters. A quasi-experimental research design was employed. The findings revealed a significant improvement in cognitive competence for both groups. The experimental group, exposed to experiential learning, demonstrated better conceptual understanding and procedural skills than the control group. The experimental group exhibited outstanding comprehension and very satisfactory levels of analysis, outperforming the control group across various metrics. Analysis of covariance revealed that even after controlling for pretest effects, both teaching approaches significantly influenced conceptual understanding and procedural skills. However, the experiential learning approach exhibited a more pronounced effect. In conclusion, this study underscored the effectiveness of experiential learning in fostering cognitive competence in statistics and probability. The findings support the integration of experiential learning methodologies into pedagogical practices, highlighting its potential to enhance students' conceptual understanding and procedural skills in complex mathematical topics.