Metacognitive failure in constructing proof and how to scaffold it

Abstract

This research aims to describe the students’ metacognitive failure in constructing proof and the scaffolding support. The participants of this qualitative case study were eight preservice mathematics teachers of six-semester, State University of Malang. We carried out a test about proof construction problems in Abstract Algebra. Then we verified the data using triangulation of constant comparative method from a test and a task-based interview with the stimulated recall. The results indicated two groups of students in proving strategy. Group I performed “appropriate” syntactic strategy and Group II vice versa. Blindness was experienced by the subject that does not recognize errors detection or the ambiguity of the proof. Mirage occurred when the subject recognizes an error detection on the proper strategy or application of a theorem, then is unable to verify the truth of his work. Misdirection appeared when the subject recognizes a lack of progress, then uses an incomplete or irrelevant concept. Vandalism emerged with no progress or detection of errors of the strategy then the subject performs some irrelevant steps to the issue or uses a misconception. Practically, the teachers can use these results for learning innovations in scaffolding-based proof courses. The scaffolding might need some development and application in supporting students to overcome difficulty in proving mathematical sentences.

Keywords

• constructing proof, metacognitive failure, scaffolding