Invisible Proof: The Role of Gestures and Action in Proof

The role of reasoning and proof in mathematics is undeniably crucial, and yet research in mathematics education has repeatedly indicated that students struggle with proof production. Our research shows that proof activities can be illuminated by considering action and gesture as a modality for crucial aspects of mathematical communication. We share two examples that highlight the importance of gesture and action in supporting students' mathematical proof production. We conclude by discussing the implications of our work for already existing schemes for classifying proof. [For the complete proceedings, see ED584829.]