A Study on Functionality of Collaborative Learning in Teaching Primary Mathematics
Seyed Ahmad Hashemi and Hengameh Karimi
1. Department of Education, Lamerd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Lamerd, Iran
2. MA student in Instructional Research, Lamerd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Lamerd, Iran
Abstract Collaborative learning is a pedagogical method widely discussed over the last three decades, since numerous studies have shown that students are more likely to succeed whenever there are more opportunities to socially and educationally interact with each other so as to achieve common goals. The set of skills highly emphasized in teaching mathematics include problem solving, reasoning and discovery, constructing hypotheses and theories, using technology and tools, estimations and numerical approximations, measuring, using diagrams and geometric evidence, numerical calculations and mental operations, pattern-finding, modeling and counting. There is a visible relationship between indicators, goals and skills involved in teaching primary mathematics. The relationship between basic math skills and collaborative learning demonstrates that mathematics scholars need to further consider the criteria of collaborative learning prior to setting goals and indicators for primary school mathematics. For that purpose, effort should be made to maintain the connection between collaborative (interactive) teaching methods and mathematics courses in line with achievement of an excellent education system for primary school mathematics.
Keywords: Learning, collaborative learning, math education, social skills, traditional methods of learning
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