EXPLORING TEACHING MATHEMATICAL PROOF AT THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL

Abstract

Much of research on proofs has concentrated on content, rather than on enhancing students‟ ability to construct their own proofs (Selden, 1995). The fact that students are coming to the Algerian university without the culture of proof (what proof means, what is the proof structure), and still have difficulties with proof and proving even after several years of studying mathematics and practicing proof, is an important issue, which needs to be examined. In order to know the origin of this problem, we interviewed twenty-one undergraduate students of mathematics from different universities and levels. Results show that what students learn before, in the school, seems not serving them for learning proving and making proofs in the university. Moreover, students who are aware about many of their difficulties with proof and proving feel the necessity to be taught how to make proofs, how proofs are constructed and how to write them.