Math 3-6

Collaborative Problem Solving

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.

Collaborative Problem Solving

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

Developing Behaviors for Cooperative Learning

Module by Sanford Inspire

Group Roles

Worksheet with different student roles for working in a group

Learning Communities

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

Stick-It Together

Graphic organizer for supporting collaborative problem solving

Teaching for Collaboration & Creativity

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

Team Problem Solving

Video of team problem solving in cooperative learning groups

Factors Supported by this Strategy

Mathematics

Arithmetic Fact Retrieval

Math Communication

Mathematical Flexibility

Cognition

Student Background

Math Learning Environment

Physical Well-being

Safety

Sleep

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.

Jigsaw

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

Peer Teaching

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

Reciprocal Teaching

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

Think-Pair-Share

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

Collaborative Problem Solving

Overview

Use It in the Classroom

Design It into Your Product

Resources

Factors Supported by this Strategy

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