Evolving three decades of geometry learning strategies: A combination of bibliometric analysis and systematic review

Geometry is an essential part of mathematics education and understanding effective strategies for learning geometry is increasingly important. This study presents a combination of bibliometric and systematic review of research on geometry learning strategies, analysing on publication trends, main contributors, research topics and citation networks over the past three decades. Utilizing data from the Web of Science database, we reviewed 730 articles, identifying key themes through co-citation analysis and three major clusters: (1) Foundations of mathematics education and research methodology, (2) Spatial ability, cognitive development and STEM learning and (3) Early spatial and mathematical development in education. The study reveals that spatial reasoning is very important for understanding mathematics and training in spatial skills helps to improve problem-solving skills and achievements in STEM subjects. However, four gaps in the research were identified: limited research from Africa and Latin America, lack of long-term studies on spatial training effects, limited integration of AI and digital tools and limited interdisciplinary integration with cognitive psychology and neuroscience. The novelty of this study lies in mapping thirty years of intellectual development in geometry education by combining bibliometric and systematic review methods, offering new insights for improving teaching strategies and future research directions.