Seeing, saying and reasoning: observing mathematics teachers' spatial reasoning

Conference item

Spatial reasoning, the ability to visualise, manipulate, interpret and solve problems using images, is not only key for success in mathematics and other STEM subjects, but also essential for everyday life. Spatial reasoning has been shown to be teachable, and improved spatial reasoning skills have been linked to improved performance in mathematics. Yet little research has been conducted into teachers’ spatial reasoning. We are investigating mathematics teachers’ articulations of their spatial imagery and reasoning as they describe and attempt to explain a dynamic image with a peer. We discuss preliminary findings of this study, focusing on moments of dissonance, when the participants’ reasoning changed direction or where they disagreed with each other.

Authors: Macmillan, E; Ingram, J; Angier, C

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: British Society for Research into Learning Mathematics
• Journal: Proceedings of the British Society for Research into Learning Mathematics More from this journal
• Volume: 46
• Issue: 1
• Article number: 12
• Publication date: 2026-04-06
• Event title: BSRLM Day Conference
• Event location: Online
• Event website: https://bsrlm.org.uk/publications/proceedings-of-day-conference/ip46-1/
• Event start date: 2026-03-07
• Event end date: 2026-03-07
• Language: English
• Keywords: spatial reasoning; noticing; teachers; communication; visualisation