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tandfonline.com – Characterizing how and when a way of proving develops in a primary mathematics classroom: a commognitive approach

tandfonline.com har udgivet en rapport under søgningen “Teacher Education Mathematics”: Abstract In this study we aim to characterize a way of proving which can be produced in a primary mathematics classroom and explore the factors that influence these processes and lead to changes in the way of proving. Assuming proving as a socially embedded activity, we conceptualize it as the interplay between ‘construction’ and ‘substantiation’ based on a well-established theoretical framework in mathematics education: the commognitive framework. A tangible proving task was designed, based on the idea of operative proofs, and implemented in a fifth-grade classroom in England. We analysed the construction and substantiation which fairly associated with discursive features (word use, visual mediator, narrative, and routine) during the proving process. The results show that the interplay between construction and… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Common Errors and Misconceptions in Mathematical Proving by Education Undergraduates

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Ninety-seven education students majoring or minoring in mathematics had their math homework examined in a Number Theory or Abstract Algebra course. Each student’s homework was observed for the purpose of identifying common errors and misconceptions when writing mathematical proofs. The results showed that students collectively made four recurring errors: assuming the conclusion in order to prove the conclusion, proving general statements using specific examples, not proving both conditions in a biconditional statement, and misusing definitions. In the same courses taken subsequently by 91 new students, we informed them about these common errors prior to assigning their homework to see how the students’ proving processes would differ. The results showed that more exercises were left blank with comments such as “I’m not sure how to start the proof”,… Continue Reading