Enhancing Elementary Students’ Mathematical Problem-Solving Skills Through AI-Assisted Problem-Based Learning
Main Article Content
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the use of AI assisted PBL on enhancing elementary school students' mathematical problem-solving skills. Inspired by the persisting issues in developing skills of elementary school students in Indonesian, this study investigated whether AI-supported PBL might be more a promising method of instruction than traditional teaching method. Quasi-experimental with non-equivalent control group design was applied with 5th graders (N = 60). The experimental group was taught using AI-assisted PBL, and the control group was taught by traditional method. An established test based on Polya's heuristic devised was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, and N-Gain analysis were used to analyze the data. The results showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the two groups with respect to all indicators (comprehending the problem, formulating a plan, executing the plan and evaluating the solution); for the experimental group (M = 78.40; SD = 7.20) exceeded the control groups (M = 68.10; SD = 8.50). In addition, the treatment group exhibited a high N-Gain score (M= 0.78). The findings suggest that using AI-assisted PBL is an effective way to promote elementary students’ mathematical problem-solving ability, which indicates the role of integrating modern technology with creative pedagogical pattern in math teaching.
Downloads
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish in this journal retain full copyright and can publish their work under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, which allows others to share and adapt the work with proper attribution to the authors and a link to the license. Authors may also enter into separate, non-exclusive distribution agreements, such as posting to institutional repositories or publishing in books, with acknowledgment of the original publication. Additionally, authors are encouraged to share their work online to increase citations. The journal allows third parties to share and adapt the work with appropriate credit, a link to the license, and an indication of changes made. For more information on Open Access, see The Effect of Open Access.
References
Ahdhianto, E., Marsigit, Haryanto, & Nurfauzi, Y. (2020). Improving fifth-grade students’ mathematical problem-solving and critical thinking skills using problem-based learning. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(5), 2012–2021. https://doi.org/10.13189/UJER.2020.080539
Ajeng Julia, Erna Suwangsih, & Puji Rahayu. (2025). The Influence of Problem Based Learning (PBL) Model on Students’ Mathematical Problem Solving Ability in Elementary Schools. Regulate: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, Hukum Dan Bisnis, 2(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.61166/REGULATE.V2I1.15
Alreshidi, R., & Alreshidi, F. S. (2023). The Effectiveness of Problem-Based Learning in Improving Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills in Medical Students: A Systematic Review of Fifteen Years’ Experience (2005-2019). World Family Medicine Journal /Middle East Journal of Family Medicine. https://doi.org/10.5742/MEWFM.2023.95256077
Azman, Ö., & Tümkaya, S. (2025). Navigating the ethical landscape of AI integration in education: Balancing innovation and responsibility. F1000Research 2025 14:299, 14, 299. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.160011.1
Barus, Y. K., Pangestu, W. T., Muzaki, F. I., & Ahdhianto, E. (2025). Unlocking Potential: A Teacher’s Lens on Artificial Intelligence Towards Students’ Problem-Solving Skills. Journal of Integrated Elementary Education, 5(1), 220–233. https://doi.org/10.21580/JIEED.V5I1.24974
Bayaga, A. (2024). Leveraging AI-enhanced and emerging technologies for pedagogical innovations in higher education. Education and Information Technologies. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10639-024-13122-Y
Canonigo, A. M. (2024). Levering AI to enhance students’ conceptual understanding and confidence in mathematics. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 40(6), 3215–3229. https://doi.org/10.1111/JCAL.13065
Chau, D. B., Luong, V. T., Long, T. T., & Thi Thao Linh, N. (2025). Personalized Mathematics Teaching with The Support of AI Chatbots to Improve Mathematical Problem-Solving Competence for High School Students in Vietnam. European Journal of Educational Research, 14(1), 323–333. https://doi.org/10.12973/EU-JER.14.1.323
Choridah, D. T. (2013). Peran Pembelajaran Berbasis Masalah Untuk Meningkatkan Kemampuan Komunikasi Dan Berpikir Kreatif Serta Disposisi Matematis Siswa Sma. InfinityJ Urnal Ilmiah Program Studi Matematika STKIP Siliwangi Bandung, 2(2), 1–9. http://download.portalgaruda.org
Davis, E. (2024). Mathematics, Word Problems, Common Sense, and Artificial Intelligence. Bulletin of the American Mathematical Society, 61(2), 287–303. https://doi.org/10.1090/BULL/1828
Delafia Maghfiroh, D., & Wahyuningsih, R. (2024). Elementary School Students’ Ability to Solve Mathematical Story Problems. JENIUS (Journal of Education Policy and Elementary Education Issues), 5(2), 106–120. https://doi.org/10.22515/JENIUS.V5I2.9372
Glazewski, K., Ottenbreit-Leftwich, A., Jantaraweragul, K., Jeon, M., Hmelo-Silver, C., Scribner, J. A., Lee, S., Mott, B., & Lester, J. (2022). PRIMARYAI: Co-Designing Immersive Problem-Based Learning for Upper Elementary Student Learning of AI Concepts and Practices. Annual Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, ITiCSE, 2, 628. https://doi.org/10.1145/3502717.3532142
Henny Sutrisman, Rosmerry Simanjuntak, Adrianus Prihartanto, & Bayu Kusumo. (2024). The Impact of Using AI in Learning on Understanding of Material by Young Students. International Journal of Educational Research, 1(3), 24–32. https://doi.org/10.62951/IJER.V1I3.43
Hosseini, M., Resnik, D. B., & Holmes, K. (2023). The ethics of disclosing the use of artificial intelligence tools in writing scholarly manuscripts. Research Ethics, 19(4), 449–465. https://doi.org/10.1177/17470161231180449
Hwang, G. J., & Tu, Y. F. (2021). Roles and research trends of artificial intelligence in mathematics education: A bibliometric mapping analysis and systematic review. Mathematics, 9(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/MATH9060584
Hwang, S. (2022). Examining the Effects of Artificial Intelligence on Elementary Students’ Mathematics Achievement: A Meta-Analysis. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(20). https://doi.org/10.3390/SU142013185
Jaya, G. A., & Kelana, J. B. (2022). Peningkatan Pemecahan Masalah Matematika Menggunakan Model Pembelajaran Problem Based Learning Berbantuan Bar Modelling Untuk Siswa Sekolah Dasar. J. Pro. Pendik, 1(1), 18–24. https://doi.org/10.22460/jpp.v1i1.10363
Kencanawaty, G., Febriyanti, C., & Irawan, A. (2020). Kontribusi Etnomatematika Dalam Pembelajaran Matematika Tingkat Sekolah Dasar. Journal of Medives Journal of Mathematics Education Ikip Veteran Semarang, 4(2), 255. https://doi.org/10.31331/medivesveteran.v4i2.1107
Khazanchi, R., Di Mitri, D., & Drachsler, H. (2025). The Effect of AI-Based Systems on Mathematics Achievement in Rural Context: A Quantitative Study. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 41(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/JCAL.13098
Kim, Y. R., Park, M. S., & Joung, E. (2025). Exploring the integration of artificial intelligence in math education: Preservice Teachers’ experiences and reflections on problem-posing activities with ChatGPT. School Science and Mathematics. https://doi.org/10.1111/SSM.18336
Krulik, Stephen., & Rudnick, J. A. . (1987). Problem Solving: A Handbook for Teachers. Second Edition.
Myers, J. A., Witzel, B. S., Powell, S. R., Li, H., Pigott, T. D., Xin, Y. P., & Hughes, E. M. (2022). A Meta-Analysis of Mathematics Word-Problem Solving Interventions for Elementary Students Who Evidence Mathematics Difficulties. Review of Educational Research, 92(5), 695–742. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543211070049
Negara, F. P., Abidin, Z., & Faradiba, S. S. (2023). Meningkatkan Self-Efficacy Matematika Siswa Melalui Pembelajaran Berbasis Masalah. Jurnal Cendekia Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 7(1), 455–466. https://doi.org/10.31004/cendekia.v7i1.1943
Nguyen, A., Ngo, H. N., Hong, Y., Dang, B., & Nguyen, B. P. T. (2023). Ethical principles for artificial intelligence in education. Education and Information Technologies, 28(4), 4221–4241. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10639-022-11316-W
Nst, M. B., Surya, E., & Khairani, N. (2023). Pengaruh Model Problem Based Learning Terhadap Kemampuan Pemecahan Masalah Matematika Dan Self-Efficacy Siswa. Jurnal Cendekia Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 7(2), 1533–1544. https://doi.org/10.31004/cendekia.v7i2.2291
Nugraha, T., & Lestari, S. N. A. P. A. (2023). Pengaruh Model Pembelajaran Problem-Based Learning (Pbl) Terhadap Hasil Belajar Skala Matematika Siswa Kelas V. Inventa, 7(2), 102–111. https://doi.org/10.36456/inventa.7.2.a7873
Opesemowo, O. A. G., & Adewuyi, H. O. (2024). A systematic review of artificial intelligence in mathematics education: The emergence of 4IR. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 20(7). https://doi.org/10.29333/EJMSTE/14762
Ottenbreit-Leftwich, A., Glazewski, K., Jeon, M., Jantaraweragul, K., Hmelo-Silver, C., Scribner, A., Lee, S., Mott, B., & Lester, J. (2022). Principles for AI Education for Elementary Grades Students. Annual Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, ITiCSE, 2, 627. https://doi.org/10.1145/3502717.3532143
Polya, G. (2014). How to Solve It: A New Aspect of Mathematical Method. In Princeton University Press. Princeton University Press. https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691164076/how-to-solve-it
Pramuditya, S. A., Noto, M. S., & Azzumar, F. (2022). Characteristics of Students’ Mathematical Problem Solving Abilities In Open-Ended-Based Virtual Reality Game Learning. Infinity Journal, 11(2), 255–272. https://doi.org/10.22460/INFINITY.V11I2.P255-272
Purba, D., Nasution, Z., & Lubis, R. (2021). Pemikiran George Polya Tentang Pemecahan Masalah. JURNAL MathEdu (Mathematic Education Journal), 4(1), 25–31. http://journal.ipts.ac.id/index.php/MathEdu/article/view/2204
Qawaqneh, H., Ahmad, F. B., & Alawamreh, A. R. (2023). The Impact of Artificial Intelligence-Based Virtual Laboratories on Developing Students’ Motivation Towards Learning Mathematics. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 18(14), 105–121. https://doi.org/10.3991/IJET.V18I14.39873
Qiu, Y., Pan, J., & Ishak, N. A. (2022). Effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Improving Pupils’ Deep Learning in Primary School Mathematics Teaching in Fujian Province. Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1362996
Rachmadtullah, R., Tanod, M. J. T. M. J., Rasmitadila., R., Irawan, N., McNeilly, A., & Suharni, S. (2024). Elementary School Teachers’ Perspectives on Utilizing Artificial Intelligence for Developing Learning Media. Journal of Integrated Elementary Education, 4(1), 71–82. https://doi.org/10.21580/JIEED.V4I1.21994
Rahmat, R., Rukli, R., & Saleh, S. F. (2023). Perbandingan Model Pembelajaran Resik Dengan Pembelajaran PBL Terhadap Hasil Belajar Matematika Siswa Sekolah Dasar. Jurnal Basicedu, 7(5), 3299–3308. https://doi.org/10.31004/basicedu.v7i5.4913
Rajagukguk, W., & Hazrati, K. (2021). Analisis Self-Efficacy Siswa Dalam Penelitian Pembelajaran Matematika Dengan Pendekatan Matematika Realistik Dan Inkuiri. Jurnal Cendekia Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 5(2), 2077–2089. https://doi.org/10.31004/cendekia.v5i2.761
Ramos, B., & Condotta, R. (2024). Enhancing Learning and Collaboration in a Unit Operations Course: Using AI as a Catalyst to Create Engaging Problem-Based Learning Scenarios. Journal of Chemical Education, 101(8), 3246–3254. https://doi.org/10.1021/ACS.JCHEMED.4C00244
Rosiyanti, H., Ratnaningsih, D. A., & Bahar, H. (2021). Application of Mathematical Problem Solving Sheets in Polya’s Learning Strategy in Social Arithmetic Material. In … Journal of Early Childhood …. int-jecse.net. https://www.int-jecse.net/data-cms/articles/20211202035434pm211111.pdf
Saputra, H. (2022). Improving Mathematics Problem-Solving Ability With Problem-Based Learning in V Grade Students. Al-Adzka: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Guru Madrasah Ibtidaiyah, 12(1), 28. https://doi.org/10.18592/ALADZKAPGMI.V12I1.6401
Schunk, D. H. (2012). Learning Theories: An Educational Perspective. In Terjemahan Hamdiah & Rahmat Fajar) (6th ed.). Pustaka Pelajar. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781107415324.004
Ssali, C., Kabuye Batiibwe, M. S., Dahl, B., Ampeire Kariisa, H., Magero, J. M., & Mayende, G. (2025). Problem-based learning in secondary school mathematics: a review. Educational Research, 67(2), 212–230. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131881.2025.2493255
Supriatna, I., Wahyudin, W., Turmudi, T., Supriatna, I., & Yasing, H. (2024). The Effect of Motivation and Interaction Effects on Improving Mathematical Comprehension Skills through Problem and Inquiry-Based Learning. Journal of Integrated Elementary Education, 4(1), 42–53. https://doi.org/10.21580/JIEED.V4I1.21227
Walkington, C. (2025). The implications of generative artificial intelligence for mathematics education. School Science and Mathematics. https://doi.org/10.1111/SSM.18356
Wang, Y. (2022). Research on the Implications of Constructivism to Education. Proceedings of the 2022 8th International Conference on Humanities and Social Science Research (ICHSSR 2022), 664(Ichssr), 2793–2797. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.220504.507
Wardani, I. K., Nugroho, A. C., Sabekti, M., Murtiyasa, B., & Setyaningsih, N. (2024). Pengaruh Lingkungan Belajar Terhadap Hasil Belajar Pembelajaran Matematika SDN Nglorog 3. Jurnal Riset Dan Inovasi Pembelajaran, 4(1), 534–546. https://doi.org/10.51574/jrip.v4i1.1363
Yusri, A. Y. (2018). Pengaruh Model Pembelajaran Problem Based Learning Terhadap Kemampuan Pemecahan Masalah Matematika Siswa Kelas Vii Di SMP Negeri Pangkajene. Mosharafa Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 7(1), 51–62. https://doi.org/10.31980/mosharafa.v7i1.341
Yusuf, F. A. (2025). Trends, opportunities, and challenges of artificial intelligence in elementary education - A systematic literature review. Journal of Integrated Elementary Education, 5(1), 109–127. https://doi.org/10.21580/JIEED.V5I1.25594