Kerry McKee
New Mexico State University
Milos Savic
New Mexico State University
Annie and John Selden
New Mexico State University

Making Actions in the Proving Process Explicit, Visible and “Reflectable”

The attempt to alleviate students’ real analysis proving difficulties through a voluntary supplement during which students co-construct proofs will be described. We view proving as a sequence of actions, some of which are not visible or difficult to recall.

Also, we note that understanding the justification for an action is different from a tendency to execute it autonomously. The course and the teacher’s instruction are described and a comparison is made between students’ work in the supplement and in the course. Views of the teacher’s and three students’ will be reported.