ERIC Number: EJ1217038
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Apr
Pages: 5
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0025-5769
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Available Date: N/A
Addressing Common Misconceptions with Informal Arguments
Becker, Brooke
Mathematics Teacher, v112 n6 p426-430 Apr 2019
Many students share a certain amount of discomfort when encountering proofs in geometry class for the first time. The logic and reasoning process behind proof writing, however, is a vital foundation for mathematical understanding that should not be overlooked. A clearly developed argument helps students organize their thoughts and make connections. To justify and support reasoning, students must address misconceptions. A misconception can result from "a misapplication of a rule, an over- or under generalization, or an alternative conception of the situation". To address the common misconceptions that have previously arisen in her classes, Brooke Becker describes how she chose to implement an activity to allow students to develop their own understanding for what it means to develop a solid argument. Through this activity, she aimed to address misconceptions regarding the misuse and over generalization of triangle congruence conjectures.
Descriptors: Misconceptions, Persuasive Discourse, Mathematics Instruction, Geometry, Mathematical Logic, Validity, Logical Thinking, Geometric Concepts, Mathematics Activities
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. 1906 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191. Tel: 800-235-7566; Tel: 703-620-9840; Fax: 703-476-2570; e-mail: NCTM@nctm.org; Web site: http://www.nctm.org/publications/mathematics-teacher/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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