Teaching Geometric Proof with Tech: Pitfalls and Possibilities
TL;DR
Four technical and human-centered design guidelines for educational proof tools to meet teacher needs at scale are proposed: integrating diagram and proof, generating problems and feedback automatically, supporting multiple proof formats, and reducing accidental complexity in the user experience.
Abstract
Geometric proof is a foundational yet challenging topic in mathematics, requiring students to integrate visual, logical, and notational skills. While technology has enhanced learning in other mathematical domains, its impact on geometric proof remains limited. To investigate this gap, we interviewed 18 geometry teachers to establish the technical requirements of educational proof tools. These requirements inform our review of 33 commercial and research tools. Our findings reveal a critical mismatch: while teachers value certain digital tools for initial planning and exploration activities, they revert to pen-and-paper for formal proof because it supports diagram annotation and provides space for multiple approaches to proof-solving. Annotating the diagram is a key component of the proof-solving workflow that existing tools do not support. We propose four technical and human-centered design guidelines for educational proof tools to meet teacher needs at scale: integrating diagram and proof, generating problems and feedback automatically, supporting multiple proof formats, and reducing accidental complexity in the user experience.