WinKE: A Pedagogic Tool for Teaching Logic and Reasoning

Abstract

WinKE is a new interactive theorem proving assistant based on the KE calculus, a refutation system which combines features from Smullyan’s analytic tableaux and Gentzen’s natural deduction. It has been developed to support teaching logic and reasoning to undergraduate students. The WinKE process of constructing a proof tree is as faithful as possible to the pen-and-paper procedure. Running under Windows 95, it is easy to use and visually satisfying. The WinKE system features an interactive interface via menus, dialogues, and graphic tools, on- and off-line proof-checking, and is completed by the option to automatically perform proofs (or parts of a proof), and to build up countermodels. User support is provided by bookkeeping facilities, hints, various “undo” utilities, and a detailed on-line help system. The system provides several files with example problems. New ones can be edited directly within WinKE. The interface consists of four windows: the main window providing menus and buttons for quick access to the most basic functions, the graphic window to display and manipulate KE proof trees, a viewer which displays a scaled-down view of the virtual drawing board, allowing to focus on a particular portion of it, and a tool box containing the graphic tools. The design of the interface is close to that of Windows standard software, which makes it very easy to learn how to use the system. WinKE is supportive of an introductory textbook on classical logic, but may also be used independently. References and further information about WinKE as well as the KE calculus can be found at the URL: http://dns.unife.it/dgm/WinKE/.