Computer-supported collaborative problem solving and anchored instruction in a mathematics classroom: an exploratory study

This is an exploratory study in the use of computer-supported collaborative problem solving and anchored instruction in a mathematics classroom in Singapore. The study was conducted with 45 grade six pupils. The pupils accessed the problem scenario through a web-stream video Planning a Class Outing which was developed based on anchored instruction principles. Knowledge Forum, a Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) program, was used for the students to conduct online collaborative problem solving. Scaffolds (cognitive prompts) were embedded in Knowledge Forum for one group of pupils but not for the comparison group. The dependent measures were the pupils' problem solving performance and their attitudes towards mathematics. Results show that the pupils' attitudes towards mathematics were generally favourable and pupils who solved the problem in scaffolded communication environment tend to perform better than those using the un-scaffolded environment.