The investigation of prospective mathematics teachers' proof writing skills and proof self- efficacy

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate proof self-efficacy and proof writing skills of prospective mathematics teachers. As a means of data collection, "Proof Self-Efficacy Scale (PSE)" developed by Iannone & Inglis and four geometry theorems selected randomly from Euclidean geometry are used. PSE scale has been adapted to Turkish and this form of the scale has been administered to prospective mathematics teachers for the validity and reliability of analysis. Prospective mathematics teachers' proof writings have been classified according to the Stylianides and Stylianides' scheme. Proof self-efficacy scores are classified according to the measurement of Guttman. Data are analyzed by using one-way Anova and descriptive statics. It is determined that there is a meaningful difference between proof self efficacy levels and proof writing skills.