Lesson Plan

Probability Density Function

Summary
1. Module: Statistics I
2. Topic or Unit of Study: Normal Distribution
3. Grade/Level: Diploma of Higher Education in Psychology
4. Purpose:

This lesson targets a non STEM audience to grasp the concept of Probability Density
Function, without progressing on the pure mathematical pathway.

5. Objective:
a. Students will discern the concept of Probability Density Distribution through a
related, delicious example.
b. Students will identify the utility of the Probability Density Distribution and how it
matters in understanding a normal distribution.

Implementation
Resources
a. Lecture Presentation

Slides 11 - 12 of the “Normal Distribution” Presentation.

b. Direct Instruction

Introducing the example of eclairs from a student-famous bakery, closeby to the institute.

Illustration of example, incorporated with humor:

Average length of an eclair is 20cm. However, some customers get smaller ones around
15cm. Sometimes longer ones, 25cm. With all these numbers, someone can think of the
probability of a customer buying an eclair with a length between 15 to 25cm. Who would
know that some people are ALWAYS lucky with longer eclairs?

1
 Explanation of the elements in the Probability Density Function on the whiteboard, with
the help of the Slide #12

Definition of the involved terminology, in alignment to the eclair example.

Relating the lesson with the concept of Probability.

c. Demonstrating how the Probability Distribution Function works in a normal distribution

through Theoretical Distribution: Normal on StatKey.

Students were asked to provide their input and understanding, whilst the demonstration is
going on. For a more enjoyable experience, students were asked to come up with other
examples (like the eclair one), and we were trying to see ways to implement our
understanding of probability distribution functions through such examples.

d. Guiding students through the Class Padlet.

Students were asked to go through the Week#2 and #3 Columns on the Class Padlet.
This helped them in understanding the lesson, plus revising the content. This also helped
them to work through questions on the recommended online textbook.

Bibliography

(n.d.). StatKey. https://www.lock5stat.com/StatKey/

Illowsky, B., & Dean, S. (2013). Introductory Statistics. OpenStax.

https://openstax.org/books/introductory-statistics/pages/1-introduction