The Difficulties Experienced in Teaching Proof to Prospective Mathematics Teachers: Academician Views

Abstract

<p>The aim of this study is to examine the difficulties prospective mathematics teachers experience in mathematical proving, the courses in which they have difficulties in proving, the importance of proof in mathematics education and its functions in their professional lives. The data of the study was collected via semi-structured interviews with fifteen academicians who volunteered to take part in the study. Content analysis method was used to analyze the data obtained. As a result of the study, based the views of the academicians, it was seen that prospective mathematics teachers experience four different difficulties in proving. Besides, in line with the views of the academicians the following categories were formed: the courses that prospective teachers experience difficulty, the importance of proof in mathematics education and its functions in prospective teachers’ professional lives and these categories were presented with their subcategories.</p>