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Logic First: Making Logical Arguments and Writing Proofs as Separate Learning Tasks

Jennifer Aust <jaust@utsouthern.edu>, The University of Tennessee Southern

Abstract:

Mathematics majors with limited writing skills often struggle with the double hurdle of learning to formulate logical arguments and learning to write precisely and concisely to communicate mathematics effectively. I will introduce a pedagogical tool (which I call a Proof Outline) that provides a tabular format for logical arguments. The purpose of the tool is to separate the task of formulating the logical argument from the task of writing that argument in paragraph form, allowing students to make progress on logical reasoning and argument construction regardless of their skill level with mathematical writing. I will share examples that highlight the tool’s purpose and lessons learned from using the tool in upper-level mathematics courses for several years.

Status: Accepted

Collection: Teaching Logic and Reasoning in Mathematics Courses

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