For students taking higher level mathematics courses, the transition from computational to proof-based courses such as analysis and algebra not only introduces a new format of writing and communication, but also a new level of abstraction. This study examines the affordances of one particular tool to aid students in this transition: a proof…

Task-relevant actions can facilitate mathematical thinking, even for complex topics, such as mathematical proof. We investigated whether such cognitive benefits also occur for action predictions. The action-cognition transduction (ACT) model posits a reciprocal relationship between movements and reasoning. Movements--imagined as well as real ones…

This study aims to see the influence of infusion learning strategy on students' mathematical argumentation, in particular to those who were prospective math teachers. Method: It used an experimental research design involving 70 respondents. The experimental group implemented an infusion learning strategy, while the control group applied the…

Thinking is a tool to construct knowledge in learning mathematics. However, some college students have not been fully aware of the importance of constructing their knowledge. Therefore, this study aims to explore students' thinking processes in completing mathematical proofs through assimilation and accommodation schemes. This research was…

Mathematical writing is one way for primary students to communicate their mathematical thinking. Research in the field of writing has shown that to become an effective teacher of writing, preservice teachers must have experience engaging in the kinds of writing given to their students. The study reported in this paper explored how 27 preservice…

From an early age, understanding proportional reasoning is a fundamental pillar in mathematics education, and therefore, teachers should have a thorough knowledge of it. Despite its significance, there are few studies that analyse the difficulties that student teachers have in understanding proportionality, and even less so inverse…

Thinking is a tool to construct knowledge in learning mathematics. However, some college students have not been fully aware of the importance of constructing their knowledge. Therefore, this study aims to explore students' thinking processes in completing mathematical proofs through assimilation and accommodation schemes. This research was…

This study investigated the development of problem-solving strategies demonstrated by 42 elementary pre-service mathematics teachers in problem-solving mathematics classes. The study used a mixed methods approach of quantitative and qualitative research by analyzing the collected data.. The quantitative portion calculates the frequencies and…

Review of the history of trigonometry content and pedagogy indicates the necessity and importance of trigonometry in the school curriculum (e.g., van Brummelen, 2009; van Sickel, 2011). For example, understanding trigonometric functions is a requirement for understanding some other areas of science, such as Newtonian physics, architecture,…

This study explored the influence of proof understanding strategies and negative self-concept on undergraduate Afghan students' achievement in modern algebra 1. To examine the relationships among proof understanding strategies, negative self-concept and achievement in modern algebra 1, we used structural equation modeling on data collected from…

This paper presents selected findings from an assessment of university students' moment-by-moment reading of mathematical proof. This method, adapted from an assessment of narrative reading validated by psychologists, yields novel insights into the strategies students use to construct meaning for the equations in a proof text. In particular, we…

Successful algebraic problem solving entails adaptability of solution methods using different representations. Prior research has suggested that students are more likely to prefer symbolic solution methods (equations) over graphical ones, even when graphical methods should be more efficient. However, this research has not tested how representation…

In this paper we examine a commonly suggested proof construction strategy from the mathematics education literature--that students first produce an informal argument and then use this as a basis for constructing a formal proof. The work of students who produce such informal arguments during proving activities was analyzed to distill three…

Studies related to school mathematics have shown that students who scored well on standardized tests often are unable to successfully use memorized facts and formulae in real-life application outside the classroom. The outcome of TIMSS and PISA studies further emphasizes the importance of mathematics teaching and learning in the Malaysian…

Previous research on preservice teachers' understanding of fractions and algebra has focused on one or the other. To extend this research, we examined 85 undergraduate elementary education majors and middle school mathematics education majors' solutions and solution paths (i.e., the ways or methods in which preservice teachers solve word problems)…