ERIC Number: EJ1107888
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2301-251X
EISSN: N/A
Proof Construction and Evaluation Practices of Prospective Mathematics Educators
Imamoglu, Yesim; Togrol, Aysenur Yontar
European Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, v3 n2 p130-144 2015
This study was conducted with 93 freshmen and 82 senior prospective mathematicians and mathematics teachers in order to investigate how they construct and evaluate proofs and whether there are any significant differences in their proof construction (with respect to department and grade) and proof evaluation (with respect to department) performances. Instruments developed for this purpose are Proof Exam (PE) and Proof Evaluation Exam (PEE). While no significant differences were observed among freshmen with respect to department in PE scores; senior students' mean scores differ significantly both in PE and PEE. It has been observed that freshmen students mostly rely on inductive reasoning when they attempt to prove given mathematical statements. Even though seniors are mostly aware of the necessity of generalizing their results and attempting to use procedures involving deductive reasoning, they still have difficulties in constructing and evaluating proofs. Implications for teaching are discussed.
Descriptors: Mathematics Teachers, Mathematical Logic, Validity, Preservice Teachers, Mathematics Education, Mathematics Instruction, Mathematics Skills, Mathematical Concepts, Logical Thinking, Thinking Skills, Mathematics, Professional Personnel, Statistical Analysis, Nonparametric Statistics, Foreign Countries, Teacher Education, Teacher Education Programs, College Mathematics, Elementary School Students, Secondary School Students, Elementary School Teachers, Secondary School Teachers, College Freshmen, College Seniors
European Journal of Science and Mathematics Education. Eastern Mediterranean University, Farnagusta, TRNC, Mersin 10, Turkey. e-mail: editor@scimath.net; Web site: http://www.scimath.net
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Secondary Education; Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Turkey
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A