That Was Then…This is Now: Utilizing the History of Mathematics and Dynamic Geometry Software

Abstract

Pre-service mathematics teacher (PST) education often addresses within Geometry Classes how to utilize Dynamic Geometric Software (DGS). Other classes may also incorporate teaching pre-service teachers about the history of mathematics. Although research has documented the use of Dynamic Geometric Software (DGS) in teaching the history of mathematics (HoM) (Zengin, 2018), the focus of this research specifically targets the development of proof for pre-service teachers by utilizing DGS to revisit historical proofs with a modern lens. The findings concur with Fujita et.al. (2010), Zengin (2018), and Conners (2007) work on proof. The novelty of this article was the combination of incorporating the history of mathematics (HoM), dynamic geometry software (DGS), and Toulmin’s model of argumentation. A pedagogical approach appeared to emerge: DGS’s dynamic nature allowed PSTs to see several examples of a method to provide them with an illustration that may be used in proofs.