[Maths-Education] Newsletter on Proof

[David H Kirshner]

Maria-Alessandra, and others.

I would appreciate your help in finding some sociocultural references to "proof" in the literature. 

Under the influence of cognitive interpretations of thinking and learning, attaining competence in proof is frequently portrayed as a cognitive accomplishment--achievement of skills and/or concepts related to proof. Thus practice and individual reflection become the vehicles for promoting competencies in proving. 

>From a sociocultural perspective, one might regard proof as a highly refined form of argumentation practiced within the mathematics community. The associated pedagogical strategy would be nurturing of increasingly sophisticated forms of argumentation within the classroom microculture (e.g., argument from authority --> argument based on material implication --> argument based on abstract logical implication). 

I know that the sociocultural perspective is reflected in the literature on proof. If anyone can point me to a particularly clear or definitive statement of that position, I'd be most appreciative.

David Kirshner
Louisiana State University



-----Original Message-----
From: maths-education-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk [mailto:maths-education-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk] On Behalf Of m.a.mariotti
Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 8:57 AM
To: Mathematics Education discussion forum
Subject: [Maths-Education] Newsletter on Proof

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The  new   issue of the Newsletter on proof is on-line, you can find  
it at

http://www.lettredelapreuve.it

  Have a good reading!
  m.alessandra

________________________________________________________
Maria Alessandra Mariotti
Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche ed Informatiche
Università di Siena
Piano dei Mantellini, 44
53100 Siena
tel. + 39 0577 233707
Fax. + 39 0577 233701
e-mail mariotti.ale at unisi.it
____________________________________________________
****http://www.lettredelapreuve.it.****




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