Overcoming challenges in mathematical problem solving in student-pair work settings: Cases from Singapore

Abstract

This study aims to understand students‟ mathematical learning in a collaborative setting from real cases of Singaporean students‟ problem-solving pair work. Videotaped observations, with a think-aloud instruction, were conducted on 7 Fifth Grade and 8 Seventh Grade pairs of Singaporean students. The data were analysed using compareand-contrast method (Glaser & Strauss, 1967) across all student pairs to generate cases of pair interactions that fostered or hindered students in overcoming the challenges that they encountered. Findings reveal at least four aspects of the pair interactions that either fostered or hindered these processes. Important implications were drawn to support teachers in developing insights about the enabling and disabling factors for effective collaborative work in their classrooms. This paper presents the detailed analysis of all these cases.