The Learning and Teaching of Geometry in Secondary Schools - Research

In this review of The Learning and Teaching of Geometry in Secondary Schools, the authors present a focused, research-informed resource for teacher educators and secondary mathematics teachers. The book's single biggest reason to buy is its integrated approach: it links historical perspectives, student cognition, representations, and teacher knowledge into one coherent text that supports thoughtful curriculum design and instructional improvement. This review highlights how the book can inform classroom interventions and design research without promising quick fixes.

Key Features

• Integrated pedagogy and content: The text weaves mathematics content together with research in mathematics education to support evidence-based instructional choices.
• Historical perspective: Coverage of geometry through history offers context that can deepen teachers' understanding of how geometric ideas and approaches evolved.
• Student cognition focus: Attention to students cognition in geometry helps teachers design lessons that address common reasoning patterns and misconceptions.
• Teacher knowledge and beliefs: Discussion of teacher knowledge, practice, and beliefs provides a lens for reflective professional development and curricular decisions.
• Practical instructional strategies: The book presents strategies for classroom interventions and instructional improvement grounded in design research principles.

Who It's For

The book is best for teacher educators, mathematics researchers, and experienced secondary teachers who want a deeper, research-based understanding of geometry instruction and the design of interventions. It is most useful when read as part of a professional development sequence or a graduate course where readers can connect the chapters to classroom activities.

Less suitable for novice teachers seeking quick lesson plans or for readers looking for a workbook of ready-to-run activities; the emphasis is on research synthesis and design research rather than step-by-step lesson scripts.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Comprehensive integration of content and pedagogy supports evidence-based instructional decisions.
• Historical and representational perspectives enrich conceptual understanding for teachers.
• Focus on student cognition and teacher knowledge makes it a strong resource for curriculum design and professional development.

Cons

• The text emphasizes research and design frameworks rather than providing ready-made classroom worksheets or complete lesson plans.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The Learning and Teaching of Geometry in Secondary Schools is a thoughtful, research-rich resource for educators who want to ground geometry instruction in a broad evidence base. It is good value for teacher educators and experienced teachers seeking depth and design research guidance, though those needing lesson-ready materials should supplement it with practical resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book include classroom activities?
It emphasizes design research and instructional strategies rather than providing a collection of ready-to-use lesson plans.

Who wrote the book?
The book is authored by Pat Herbst, Taro Fujita, Stefan Halverscheid, and Michael Weiss.

Is it suitable for professional development?
Yes; the book is well suited for graduate courses and professional development that connect research to classroom practice.