On the Development of Students' Conceptions of Proof

by Guershon HAREL (UCSD)

Abstract:
The talk will address questions concerning the development of students' proof understanding, production, and appreciation: What are students' understandings of proof? What sorts of experiences seem effective in shaping students' understandings of proof? Are there promising frameworks for teaching the concept of proof so that students appreciate the value of justifying, the role of proof as a convincing argument, the need for rigor, and the possible insights gained from proof?