The Effect of Cooperative Learning on Students’ ProblemSolving Ability

This literature review investigates how collaborative group work can foster mathematicalproblem-solving skills among elementary school students 4-6. Particular attention is given tothe role of peer dialogue and the use of didactic tools both physical manipulatives and digitalresources in supporting and strengthening students’ capacity for collaborative problemsolving. The research is guided by the following main question: How can group work promotestudents’ ability to solve mathematical problems? Two sub-questions were also explored:- How do communication and dialogue within groups influence students' development ofproblem-solving skills?- How can the use of didactic materials, both concrete and digital, enhance students’problem-solving abilities in collaborative group work?The review’s findings highlight the effectiveness of collaborative learning in fosteringmathematical problem-solving skills in elementary students. Previous studies show that thisapproach promotes critical thinking and supports a deeper conceptual understanding ofmathematics. Social interaction within the group plays a central role in this development.With a focus on communication and didactic tools, the literature illustrates how instructionaldesign can be optimized to support students' problem-solving capacities. The teacher emergesas a key figure in planning, structuring, and facilitating the collaborative learning process.