A Design Study To Develop The Proof Skills Of Mathematics Pre-Service Teachers

Abstract

Mathematical proof, addition to its duties such as verifying and explaining a claim, aids the understanding of mathematics and the formation of new information, thereby increasing its importance in mathematics education. Proving skills need to be developed to learn mathematics and find effective solutions in real-life problem situations. Given the importance of proof in mathematics education, it is critical to develop appropriate teaching practices to increase pre-service teachers' knowledge of proof, proving, and understanding levels, particularly in departments of mathematics teachers, to provide effective and long-term mathematics instruction to future students. The effect of designed proof tasks on the development of pre-service mathematics teachers' proving skills was investigated in this study. This research, the design-based research, was carried out with the participation of three volunteer mathematics teacher candidates studying at a state university in Ankara. The data obtained from the proof tasks and individual interviews were used in the study. Proof tasks designed according to the findings obtained from the data analyzed with the qualitative analysis method contributed to the development of the participants' proving skills.