An exploratory teaching style in promoting the learning of proof

Xiaoheng Yan , John S Mason (1) , Gila Hanna

1 Swansea University

Our overall concern is with helping students learn to construct and reconstruct proofs. Here we investigate an exploratory style which invites learners to think for themselves, with the instructor circulating among them while listening, probing, and suggesting. The objectives of this investigation are, to understand how the actions of teachers can contribute to the development of their students' thinking, and to provide explicit pedagogic strategies that teachers can use to promote their students' appreciation and understanding of mathematical proof.

Keywords: Explanation; exploration; proof; proof construction

Domains: Mathematics [math]; Humanities and Social Sciences; Education

Xiaoheng Yan, John S Mason, Gila Hanna. An exploratory teaching style in promoting the learning of proof. CERME 10, Feb 2017, Dublin, Ireland. ⟨hal-01865641⟩