MODEL

Math 3-6

Systems Change
Math 3-6 > Strategies > Collaborative Problem Solving

Collaborative Problem Solving

Add to Workspace

Overview

As students solve problems in a group, they learn new strategies and practice communicating their mathematical thinking. This sharing helps students reflect on their problem-solving approaches and expands their Mathematical Flexibility.

Use It in the Classroom

Watch how this upper elementary teacher facilitates collaborative problem solving with a small group of students. He supports mathematical thinking and strengthens their Math Communication by asking students to explain their reasoning to others. He also builds their Metacognition and Self-regulation by asking students to observe and reflect on how they communicate in a group.

  • Teachers can assign challenging problems for students to work on independently then in small groups. Giving students the opportunity to tackle the problems individually first supports varying Speeds of Processing. Then, as they work with others, they can tackle the same problem with different strategies, developing their math skills with strategies that work best for them.

    • Design It into Your Product

  • Products can support collaborative problem solving by allowing learners to display and share their thinking with their peers, even at a distance. They can include features that let learners copy or combine pieces of their individual work to create a shared answer that best represents their discussion and reasoning. The facilitation of these discussions on such a platform also can support their Attention and the development of Social Awareness & Relationship Skills.
    • View References

    Resources

    Below are additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
    Examples

    Developing Behaviors for Cooperative Learning

    Module by Sanford Inspire

    Examples

    Collaborative Problem Solving

    How to implement collaborative problem solving and its connection to Common Core

    Examples

    Group Roles

    Worksheet with different student roles for working in a group

    Examples

    Stick-It Together

    Graphic organizer for supporting collaborative problem solving

    Professional Development

    Relationship Skills

    A free microcredential to support students' relationship skills

    Research

    Learning Communities

    Subtopic that includes research on communities of learners on Digital Promise's Research Map

    Research

    Teaching for Collaboration & Creativity

    Subtopic that includes research on instructional approaches to encourage collective problem-solving on Digital Promise's Research Map

    Factors Supported by this Strategy

    Student Background
    Adverse Experiences
    Math Learning Environment
    Physical Well-being
    Safety
    Sleep
    Social Supports
    Socioeconomic Status
    Social and Emotional Learning
    Emotion
    Motivation
    Self-regulation
    Social Awareness & Relationship Skills
    Cognition
    Attention
    Inhibition
    Long-term Memory
    Metacognition
    Short-term Memory
    Speed of Processing
    Working Memory
    Mathematics
    Arithmetic Fact Retrieval
    Math Communication
    Mathematical Flexibility
    Operations

    More Cooperative Learning Strategies

    Gallery Walk

    As students walk through stations working in small groups, the social and physical nature of the learning supports deeper understanding.

    Math Talks

    When students have meaningful conversations about math and use math vocabulary, they develop the thinking, questioning, and explanation skills needed to master mathematical concepts.

    Jigsaw

    As students work with and process information by discussing, organizing, and sharing it together, they deepen their understanding.

    Think-Pair-Share

    Students deepen their math understanding as they use and hear others use specific math language in informal ways.

    Reciprocal Teaching

    Students deepen their understanding and gain confidence in their learning when they explain to and receive feedback from others.

    Peer Teaching

    Having students teach their knowledge, skills, and understanding to their classmates strengthens learning.

    Visit

    Explore

    Stay Up to Date

    © Copyright Digital Promise     |     Digital Promise Home     |     Contact Us     |     Terms of Use
    Creative Commons LicenseExcept where otherwise noted, content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License