Skip to main content
Log in

Geometry learning with dynamic software in pre-service mathematics teacher education: A systematic review

  • Published:
Education and Information Technologies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Providing an overview of the accumulated scientific knowledge regarding the learning of geometry with dynamic software by pre-service mathematics teachers is currently a pertinent issue in Mathematics Education. The interest in this topic within the field is reflected in the significance attributed to the role of the teacher as a pivotal actor in their students learning. Considering this, we present a systematic review that seeks to understand how the learning of school geometry content with dynamic software has been promoted and studied during pre-service mathematics teacher education. To do so, we have reviewed a group of journal articles, published between 2017 and 2023, following the principles of PRISMA declaration. The results reveal how researchers understand such learning, the pre-service teachers, the teacher educator, the tasks that promote it, and the production and analysis of data. Given these findings, we identify gaps in the research on this topic, among which stand out the view of pre-service teachers as autonomous subjects, the instrumentalist conception of dynamic software, and methodological approaches to data analysis that do not fully consider the role of the body in the act of knowing. These gaps reveal that the promotion of and study of learning of school geometry content with dynamic software have been explored little from sociocultural perspectives. Because of this, we believe it necessary to develop studies regarding learning from theoretical and methodological perspectives that demonstrate pathways for future explorations on the addressed topic and thus allow for the reduction of these gaps.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

The data generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

References

  • Abrantes, P. (1999). Investigações em geometria na sala de aula. In E. Veloso, H. Fonseca, J. Ponte, & P. Abrantes (Eds.), Ensino da Geometria no virar do milénio (pp. 51–62). Departamento de Educação da Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrade-Molina, M., Montecino, A., & Sánchez-Aguilar, M. (2020). Beyond quality metrics: Defying journal rankings as the philosopher’s stone of mathematics education research. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 103, 359–374. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10649-020-09932-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arnal-Bailera, A., & Oller-Marcén, A. M. (2020). Construcciones geométricas en GeoGebra a partir de diferentes sistemas de representación: Un estudio con maestros de primaria en formación. Educación Matemática, 32(1), 67–98. https://doi.org/10.24844/EM3201.04

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bairral, M. A., & Silvano, T. S. (2023). Licenciandos em matemática interagindo no VMTcG em uma tarefa sobre translação. Educação Matemática Pesquisa, 25(1), 305–335. https://doi.org/10.23925/1983-3156.2023v25i1p305-335

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bartolini, M. G., & Mariotti, M. A. (2008). Semiotic mediation in the mathematics classroom. Artifacts and signs after a Vygotskian perspective. In L. English (Ed.), Handbook of International Research in Mathematics Education (pp. 746–805). Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bautista, A., & Roth, W.-M. (2012). Conceptualizing sound as a form of incarnate mathematical consciousness. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 79(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10649-011-9337-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bretscher, N. (2017). Beyond a positive stance: Integrating technology is demanding on teachers’ mathematical knowledge for teaching. In T. Dooley, & G. Gueudet (Eds.), Proceedings of the 10th Congress of the European Society for Research in Mathematics Education (pp. 2358–2365). ERME.

  • Bretscher, N. (2023). Conceptualising TPACK within mathematics education: Teachers’ strategies for capitalising on transitions within and beyond dynamic geometry software. Digital Experiences in Mathematics Education, 9, 232–254. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40751-022-00115-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brito, C. de S., & Bairral, M. A. (2023). Triangle similarity: Interactions in meshes and slider. Revista Internacional de Pesquisa em Educação Matemática, 13(3), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.37001/ripem.v13i3.3543

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brousseau, G. (2007). Théorie des situations didactiques. La Pensée Sauvage. (Original work published in 1998).

    Google Scholar 

  • Brunheira, L., & Da Ponte, J. P. (2018). Definir figuras geométricas: Uma experiência de formação com futuras professoras e educadoras. Quadrante, 27(2), 133–159.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brunheira, L., & Da Ponte, J. P. (2019). From the classification of quadrilaterals to the classification of prisms: An experiment with prospective teachers. Journal of Mathematical Behavior, 53, 65–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmathb.2018.06.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Camargo, L., Perry, P., Samper, C., Molina, M., & Echeverry, A. (2010). Uso de la función de arrastre para generar experiencias de aprendizaje de la demostración en geometría. Tecné, Episteme y Didaxis: TED, 27, 38–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chan, K. K., & Leung, S. W. (2014). Dynamic geometry software improves mathematical achievement: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 51(3), 311–325. https://doi.org/10.2190/EC.51.3.c

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Codina, L. (2018). Revisiones bibliográficas sistematizadas: Procedimientos generales y Framework para ciencias humanas y sociales. In Lopezosa, C., Díaz-Noci, J., & Codina, L. (Eds.), Methodos. Anuario de métodos de investigación en comunicación social (pp. 50–60). Universitat Pompeu Fabra. https://doi.org/10.31009/methodos.2020.i01.05

  • Cruz, M. F., & Mantica, A. M. (2017). El uso del software de geometría dinámica en la formulación y validación de conjeturas. UNIÓN - Revista Iberoamericana De Educación Matemática, 13(51), 69–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cruz, M. F., & Mantica, A. M. (2019). La puesta en juego de actividades propias del quehacer matemático mediadas por el empleo de un software de geometría dinámica. Épsilon - Revista De Educación Matemática, 101, 121–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Da Ponte, J. P., Brocardo, J., & Oliveira, H. (2016). Investigações matemáticas na sala de aula (3a ed.). Autêntica Editora.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Almeida, L. C., Nery, W. F., De Sá, V. C. da S., & Santana, E. R. dos S. (2019). Situações didáticas com o GeoGebra: Construindo o arco capaz e quadriláteros inscritíveis. Em Teia - Revista de Educação Matemática e Tecnológica Iberoamericana, 10(2), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.36397/emteia.v10i2.240550

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dove, A., & Hollenbrands, K. (2014). Teachers’ scaffolding of students’ learning of geometry while using a dynamic geometry program. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 45(5), 668–681. https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2013.868540

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Esonov, M. M., Zharov, V. K., & Aroev, D. D. (2023). Technique for constructing a model of a tetrahedron using a compass and ruler. Galaxy International Interdisciplinary Research Journal (GIIRJ), 11(3), 300–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • Even, R., & Ball, D. L. (2009). Setting the stage for the ICMI study on the professional education and development of teachers of mathematics. In R. Even, & D. L. Ball (Eds.), The professional education and development of teachers of mathematics (pp. 1–9). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09601-8

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Freyre, M., & Cavatorta, P. (2021). Conjeturar y validar en un problema de geometría mediado por GeoGebra. UNIÓN - Revista Iberoamericana De Educación Matemática, 17(62), 1–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gellert, U., Amato, S., Bairral, M., Zanette, L., Bloch, I., Gadanidis, G., Namukasa, I., Krummheuer, G., Grevholm, B., Bergsten, C., Miller, D., Peter-Koop, A., Wollring, B., Proulx, J., Rosu, L. M., Arvold, B., & Sayacet, N. (2009). Practising mathematics teacher education: Expanding the realm of possibilities. In R. Even, & D. L. Ball (Eds.), The Professional Education and Development of Teachers of Mathematics (pp. 35–56). Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Gómez-Chacón, I. M., Botana, F., Escribano, J., & Abanades, M. Á. (2016). Concepto de lugar geométrico. Génesis de utilización personal y profesional con distintas herramientas. Bolema: Boletim de Educação Matemática, 30(54), 67–94. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-4415v30n54a04

  • Goos, M. (2008). Sociocultural perspectives on learning to teach mathematics. In B. Jaworski, & T. Wood (Eds.), The International Handbook of Mathematics Teacher Education. The mathematics teacher educator as a developing professional (Vol. 4, pp. 75–91). Sense Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789087905521_006

  • Goos, M. (2013). Sociocultural perspectives in research on and with mathematics teachers: A zone theory approach. ZDM, 45, 521–533. 

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez, R. E., Pazuch, V., & Prieto, J. L. (2022a). Tareas investigativas de geometría dinámica. Una conceptualización de saberes movilizados por profesores de matemáticas en formación continua. Revista Tecné Episteme y Didaxis: TED, 51, 281–298. https://doi.org/10.17227/ted.num51-11717

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez, R. E., Prieto, J. L., & Sánchez, I. C. (2022b). Formas de alienação presentes na atividade de formação inicial de professores de matemática. Bolema: Boletim de Educação Matemática, 36(74), 1062–1086. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-4415v36n74a06

  • Herbst, P., Chazan, D., & Milewski A. (2020). Technology tools for mathematics teacher learning How might they support the development of capacity for specific teaching assignments? In S. Llinares, & O. Chapman (Eds.), International Handbook of Mathematics Teacher Education: Volume 2 Tools and Processes in Mathematics Teacher Education (Second Edition) (pp. 223–251). Sense Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004418967_009

  • Hodge, A., & Frick, K. (2009). University preparation of pre-service secondary geometry teachers: A need for research. Journal of Mathematical Sciences and Mathematics Education, 4(1), 28–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hohenwarter, J., Hohenwarter, M., & Lavicza, Z. (2008). Introducing dynamic mathematics software to secondary school teachers: The case of GeoGebra. Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 28(2), 135–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Congress on Mathematical Education. (2023). The 26th ICMI Study: Advances in geometry education. Announcement of the Discussion Document. The ICMI Study Conference. https://icmistudy26.sciencesconf.org/. Accessed 15 Aug  2023

  • Isotari, S., & Brandão, L. (2013). O papel do professor e do aluno frente ao uso de um software de geometria interativa: iGeom. Bolema: Boletim de Educação Matemática, 27(45), 165–192. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-636X2013000100009

  • Koyuncu, I., Akyuz, D., & Cakiroglu, E. (2015). Investigating plane geometry problem-solving strategies of prospective mathematics teachers in technology and paper-and-pencil environments. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 13(4), 837–862. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-014-9510-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krainer, K., & Llinares, S. (2010). Mathematics teacher education. In P. Peterson, E. Baker, & B. McGaw (Eds.), International Encyclopedia of Education (pp. 702–705). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-044894-7.00680-1.

  • Kuzle, A. (2013). Constructions with various tools in two geometry didactics courses in the United States and Germany. In B. Ubuz, Ç. Haser, & M. A. Mariotti (Eds.), Proceedings of the Eighth Congress of the European Society of Research in Mathematics Education (pp. 675–684). CERME.

  • Laborde, C., Kynigos, C., Hollebrands, K., & Strässer, R. (2006). Teaching and learning geometry with technology. In A. Gutiérrez, & P. Boero (Eds.), Handbook of Research on the Psychology of Mathematics Education: Past, Present and Future (pp. 275–304). Sense Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789087901127_011.

  • Lame, G. (2019). Systematic literature reviews: An introduction. Proceedings of the Design Society: International Conference on Engineering Design, 1(1), 1633–1642. https://doi.org/10.1017/dsi.2019.169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lerman, S. (2001). A review of research perspectives on mathematics teacher education. In F. L. Lin, & T. J. Cooney (Eds.), Making sense of Mathematics Teacher Education (pp. 33–52). Kluwer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0828-0_2

  • Liljedahl, P., Durand-Guerrier, V., Winsløw, C., Bloch, I., Huckstep, P., Rowland, T., Thwaites, A., Grevholm, B., Bergsten, C., Adler, J., Davis, Z., García, M., Sánchez, V., Proulx, J., Flowers, J., Rubenstein, R., Grant, T., Kline, K., Moreira, P., David, M., et al. (2009). Components of mathematics teacher training. In R. Even, & D. L. Ball (Eds.), The Professional Education and Development of Teachers of Mathematics (pp. 25–34). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09601-8_4.

  • Llinares, S. (2014). Experimentos de enseñanza e investigación. Una dualidad en la práctica del formador de profesores de matemáticas. Educación Matemática, Número especial 25, 31–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maffia, A., & Sabena, C. (2015). Networking of theories as resource for classroom activities analysis: The emergence of multimodal semiotic chains. In C. Sabena, & B. Di Paola (Eds.), Teaching and learning mathematics: Resources and obstacles, Proceedings of the CIEAEM 67, Quaderni di Ricerca didattica, 25–2 (pp. 405–417). Aosta.

  • Mantica, A. M., & Freyre, M. L. (2018). Análisis de la relación entre imagen y definición en una situación problemática mediada por GeoGebra a partir de no ejemplos del concepto de poliedro regular. Educación Matemática, 31(1), 204–234. https://doi.org/10.24844/EM3101.08

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mariotti, M. A. (2009). Artifacts and signs after a Vygotskian perspective: The role of the teacher. ZDM, 41, 427–440. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-009-0199-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mavani, D., Mavani, B., & Schäfer, M. (2018). A case study of two selected teachers as they integrated dynamic geometry software as a visualisation tool in teaching geometry. African Journal of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 22(3), 297–307. https://doi.org/10.1080/18117295.2018.1522716

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mészáros, I. (1972). Marx’s concept of alienation. Harper & Row.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., The PRISMA Group. (2009). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA Statement. PLOS Medicine, 6(7), e1000097. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000097

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moura, M. O. (Ed.). (2016). A atividade pedagógica na teoria histórico-cultural (2a ed.). Autores Associados.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ng, O.-L., & Sinclair, N. (2015). Young children reasoning about symmetry in a dynamic geometry environment. ZDM, 47(3), 421–434. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-014-0660-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pati, D., & Lorusso, L. N. (2017). How to write a systematic review of the literature. HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal, 11(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1177/1937586717747384.

  • Pinheiro, J. M. L. (2018). Aprendizagem colaborativa em ambientes de geometria dinâmica. Educação Matemática Em Revista - RS, 2(18), 164–176.

    Google Scholar 

  • Preiner, J. (2008). Introducing dynamic mathematics software to mathematics teachers: The case of GeoGebra [doctoral thesis, University of Salzburg]. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.15003.05921.

  • Prieto, J. L., & Arredondo, E.-H. (2021). Construcciones euclidianas con GeoGebra y procesos de objetivación: Un estudio con futuros profesores de matemáticas. Revista de Matemática, Ensino e Cultura - REMATEC, 16(39), 77–100. https://doi.org/10.37084/REMATEC.1980-3141.2021.n39.p77-100.id496

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prieto, J. L., Gutiérrez-Araujo, R. E., & Arredondo, E.-H. (2024). Construcciones euclidianas con GeoGebra: Un estudio sobre producción de significados con futuros profesores. PNA, 18(4), 1–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Radford, L. (2015). Methodological aspects of the theory of objectification. Perspectivas da Educação Matemática, 8(18), 547–567.

    Google Scholar 

  • Radford, L. (2016). On alienation in the mathematics classroom. International Journal of Educational Research, 79, 258–266. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10649-017-9769-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Radford, L. (2021). The theory of objectification: A vygotskian perspective on knowing and becoming in mathematics teaching and learning. Brill/Sense. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004459663

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Radford, L., & Sabena, C. (2015). The question of method in a vygotskian semiotic approach. In A. Bikner-Ahsbahs, C. Knipping, & N. Presmeg (Eds.), Approaches to Qualitative Research in Mathematics Education (pp. 157–182). Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Radford, L., Edwards, L., & Arzarello, F. (2009). Beyond words. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 70(2), 91–95. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10649-008-9172-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roth, W.-M., & Radford, L. (2011). A cultural historical perspective on teaching and learning. Sense Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6091-564-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruiz-López, N. (2018). The instrumental genesis process in future primary teachers using dynamic geometry software. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 49(4), 481–500. https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2017.1377302

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez, V. (2009). Investigación en educación matemática y formación de profesores. Visibilizando una relación. In M. J. González, M. T. González, & J. Murillo (Eds.), Investigación en Educación Matemática XIII (pp. 57–61). SEIEM.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schimmer, R., Geschuhn, K. K., & Vogler, A. (2015). Disrupting the subscription journals’ business model for the necessary large-scale transformation to open access. Max Planck Digital Library. https://doi.org/10.14293/S2199-1006.1.SOR-EDU.AJRG23.v1.

  • Scriba, C., & Schreiber, P. (2015). 5000 Years of geometry Mathematics in history and culture. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-0898-9.

  • Sinclair, N., Bartolini Bussi, M. G., De Villiers, M., Jones, K., Kortenkamp, U., Leung, A., & Owens, K. (2016). Recent research on geometry education: An ICME-13 survey team report. ZDM, 48, 691–719. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-016-0796-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sinclair, N., Bartolini Bussi, M. G., De Villiers, M., Jones, K., Kortenkamp, U., Leung, A., & Owens, K. (2017). Geometry education, including the use of new technologies: A survey of recent research. In G. Kaiser (Ed.), Proceedings of the 13th International Congress on Mathematical Education, ICME-13 (pp. 277–287). ICMI. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62597-3_18.

  • Stein, M. K., & Smith, M. S. (1998). Mathematical tasks as a framework for reflection: From research to practice. Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, 3(4), 268–275. https://doi.org/10.5951/MTMS.3.4.0268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tatar, E. (2013). The effect of dynamic software on prospective mathematics teachers’ perceptions regarding information and communication technology. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 38(12), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2013v38n12.6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • The Design Based Research Collective. (2003). Design-based research: An emerging paradigm for educational inquiry. Educational Researcher, 32(1), 5–8. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X032001005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toerner, G., & Arzarello, F. (2012). Grading mathematics education research journals. Newsletter of the European Mathematical Society, 86, 52–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Valverde-Soto, G. (2014). Experimentos de enseñanza: Una alternativa metodológica para investigar en el contexto de la formación inicial de docentes. Revista Electrónica Actualidades Investigativas en Educación, 14(3), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.15517/aie.v14i3.16095

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wenger, E. (1998). Communities of practice: Learning, meaning, and identity. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511803932

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, S. R., & Leatham, K. R. (2017). Journal quality in mathematics education. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 48(4), 369–396. https://doi.org/10.5951/jresematheduc.48.4.0369

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zambak, V. S., & Tyminski, A. M. (2020). Examining mathematical technological knowledge of pre-service middle grades teachers with Geometer’s Sketchpad in a geometry course. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 51(2), 183–207. https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2019.1650302

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Juan Luis Prieto-González.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

None.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Prieto-González, J.L., Gutiérrez-Araujo, R.E. Geometry learning with dynamic software in pre-service mathematics teacher education: A systematic review. Educ Inf Technol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-024-12756-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-024-12756-2

Keywords

Navigation