International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (PME)

Proceedings of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education · Volume 1

Secondary Teachers’ Interpretations of Students’ Geometric Errors Linked to Spatial Reasoning

Maria Chiara Cibien

University of Ferrara

49th Annual Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, PME 2026Helsinki27 July 2026 - 1 August 2026pp. 283–290ISSN 2790-36482026Scopus conference code 336559
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Abstract

This study investigates how secondary school mathematics teachers identify and interpret students’ errors in a geometry item, analysed through the theoretical lens of spatial reasoning. The item was first administered to a sample of 10th-grade students to examine whether students’ errors were framed by spatial reasoning. Subsequently, a questionnaire was administered to 19 in-service secondary school teachers to collect information on their interpretations. Results indicate that while some teachers correctly identify spatial errors, those who do not adopt a spatial reasoning perspective tend to have greater difficulty in recognizing and interpreting students’ errors. These findings highlight the need to strengthen teachers’ hermeneutical competence through targeted professional development programs.

Keywords

Spatial reasoningteachers' professional developmentstudents' mathematical errors

Recommended citation

Cibien, M. (2026). Secondary Teachers’ Interpretations of Students’ Geometric Errors Linked to Spatial Reasoning. In Krzywacki H., Hähkiöniemi M., Haataja E., Hannula M.S., Hästö P. (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, Volume 1 (pp. 283–290). Psychology of Mathematics Education (PME). ISSN 2790-3648.

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