Geometric Transformations and Symmetry in Primary and Secondary Education: A Review of Themes, Media, and Theoretical Frames from 1990 to Present

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Geometric Transformations and Symmetry in Primary and Secondary Education: A Review of Themes, Media, and Theoretical Frames from 1990 to Present
Language: English
Authors: J. Enrique Hernández-Zavaleta (ORCID 0000-0003-2937-1932), Sandra Becker (ORCID 0000-0002-0478-045X), Douglas Clark (ORCID 0000-0002-4757-8446), Corey Brady (ORCID 0000-0002-4086-9638), Lydia Cao (ORCID 0000-0002-4947-9281)
Source: International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology. 2026 14(1):149-177.
Availability: International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology. Necmettin Erbakan University, Ahmet Kelesoglu Education Faculty, Meram, Konya, 42090, Turkey. e-mail: ijermst@gmail.com; Web site: https://www.ijemst.net/index.php/ijemst/index
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 29
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Descriptors: Elementary Secondary Education, Geometry, Transformations (Mathematics), Mathematics Instruction, Educational Theories, Educational Trends, Educational Research, Instructional Materials
ISSN: 2147-611X
Abstract: There is need for increased focus on geometric transformations and symmetry in primary and secondary education, as well as increased research to support learning and teaching of geometric transformations. To identify directions for future research and teaching, we set out to map the research that has already been conducted and to identify key areas of focus and opportunity going forward. Toward these goals, this systematic review examines 62 peer-reviewed articles on teaching and learning about 2D geometric transformations and symmetry since 1990. To guide our review, we use the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. The review explores the research in terms of: (a) how students learn about transformations, (b) how teaching about transformations has been conceptualized, (c) how media have been leveraged to support learning about transformations, and (d) which theoretical frames have been leveraged and how have those frames shifted over time. Discussion and conclusions consider key areas of growth for the field going forward to better support teachers and students learning about symmetry and transformations.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1494411
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
CustomLinks:
  – Url: https://eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ1494411
    Name: ERIC Full Text
    Category: fullText
    Text: Full Text from ERIC
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1494411
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Geometric Transformations and Symmetry in Primary and Secondary Education: A Review of Themes, Media, and Theoretical Frames from 1990 to Present
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22J%2E+Enrique+Hernández-Zavaleta%22">J. Enrique Hernández-Zavaleta</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2937-1932">0000-0003-2937-1932</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sandra+Becker%22">Sandra Becker</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0478-045X">0000-0002-0478-045X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Douglas+Clark%22">Douglas Clark</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4757-8446">0000-0002-4757-8446</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Corey+Brady%22">Corey Brady</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4086-9638">0000-0002-4086-9638</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lydia+Cao%22">Lydia Cao</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4947-9281">0000-0002-4947-9281</externalLink>)
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Journal+of+Education+in+Mathematics%2C+Science+and+Technology%22"><i>International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology</i></searchLink>. 2026 14(1):149-177.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology. Necmettin Erbakan University, Ahmet Kelesoglu Education Faculty, Meram, Konya, 42090, Turkey. e-mail: ijermst@gmail.com; Web site: https://www.ijemst.net/index.php/ijemst/index
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 29
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Information Analyses
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Elementary+Secondary+Education%22">Elementary Secondary Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+Secondary+Education%22">Elementary Secondary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Geometry%22">Geometry</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Transformations+%28Mathematics%29%22">Transformations (Mathematics)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mathematics+Instruction%22">Mathematics Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Theories%22">Educational Theories</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Trends%22">Educational Trends</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Research%22">Educational Research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Instructional+Materials%22">Instructional Materials</searchLink>
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2147-611X
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: There is need for increased focus on geometric transformations and symmetry in primary and secondary education, as well as increased research to support learning and teaching of geometric transformations. To identify directions for future research and teaching, we set out to map the research that has already been conducted and to identify key areas of focus and opportunity going forward. Toward these goals, this systematic review examines 62 peer-reviewed articles on teaching and learning about 2D geometric transformations and symmetry since 1990. To guide our review, we use the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. The review explores the research in terms of: (a) how students learn about transformations, (b) how teaching about transformations has been conceptualized, (c) how media have been leveraged to support learning about transformations, and (d) which theoretical frames have been leveraged and how have those frames shifted over time. Discussion and conclusions consider key areas of growth for the field going forward to better support teachers and students learning about symmetry and transformations.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1494411
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1494411
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 29
        StartPage: 149
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Elementary Secondary Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Geometry
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Transformations (Mathematics)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mathematics Instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Theories
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Trends
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Instructional Materials
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Geometric Transformations and Symmetry in Primary and Secondary Education: A Review of Themes, Media, and Theoretical Frames from 1990 to Present
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: J. Enrique Hernández-Zavaleta
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Sandra Becker
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Douglas Clark
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Corey Brady
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Lydia Cao
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-electronic
              Value: 2147-611X
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 14
            – Type: issue
              Value: 1
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology
              Type: main
ResultId 1