Utilizing a collaborative “Cross Number Puzzle” game on group scribbles to develop students’ computing ability of addition and subtraction

Abstract

While addition and subtraction is a key mathematical skill for young children, a typical activity for them in classrooms involves doing repetitive arithmetic calculation exercises. In this study, we explore a collaborative way for students to learn these skills. In our study, 52 students in Grade 4 (ages 10 or 11) participated in the study and were asked to solve arithmetic problems collaboratively as a group. This “Cross Number Puzzle” was also designed with the “feedback” mechanism to assist students’ problem solving. In the two classes we studies, one class had the students played the game individually and the other class had the students play the game collaboratively. The low-ability students in the collaborative class were found to have made the most significant progress in arithmetic skills through playing this game.