The Effect of Proof Format on Reading Comprehension of Geometry Proof: The Case of Indonesian Prospective Mathematics Teachers
Lathiful Anwar 1 2 * , Angeliki Mali 1, Martin J Goedhart 1
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1 Institute for Science Education and Communication, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, NETHERLANDS2 Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Malang, Jl. Semarang No.5, Malang, East Java 65145, INDONESIA* Corresponding Author

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effects of the use of multiple geometry proof formats on Indonesian students’ reading comprehension of geometry proof (RCGP). Four classes of prospective secondary mathematics teachers (N=125), aged 18 to 19 years, participated in this quasi-experimental study. While the experimental group was instructed in three proof formats (paragraph, two-column and flow-chart proof), the control group was instructed in only the two-column proof format. Similar pre- and post-tests, based on Yang and Lin’s (2008) RCGP test, were administered to both groups. N-Gain scores were used to determine the improvement of both groups. The N-Gain scores showed significantly more improvement of students’ RCGP in the experimental group. More detailed analysis indicated that the use of multiple proof formats supports the students’ understanding of the facets of logical status of statements and the critical ideas in the proof. This study shows the benefits of offering multiple proof formats to support prospective mathematics teachers’ RCGP.

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed, Volume 17, Issue 4, April 2021, Article No: em1952

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/10782

Publication date: 18 Mar 2021

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