The Effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Problem-Based Learning Model to Improve Elementary School Students' Mathematical Representation Processing Ability
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37630/bijee.v4i1.4351Keywords:
Artificial intelligence, Mathematical representation, Problem-based learning, Elementary schoolAbstract
Mathematical representation processing ability constitutes a foundational cognitive competency for elementary students, yet persistent deficits in this domain across Indonesian schools call for innovative, evidence-based instructional solutions. This study examines the effectiveness of an Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Problem-Based Learning (AI-PBL) model in improving mathematical representation processing ability among fifth-grade elementary school students in Lampung Province. Employing a quasi-experimental Non-Equivalent Control Group Design, 60 students from a single elementary school in Lampung were assigned to an experimental class (n=30, receiving AI-PBL) and a control class (n=30, receiving conventional instruction). Data were collected via a validated 10-item representation test and analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk normality test, Levene's homogeneity test, independent samples t-test, normalized N-Gain, and Cohen's d effect size. The experimental class achieved a posttest mean of 80.07 (pretest: 52.43), while the control class reached 64.90 (pretest: 52.23). The independent t-test yielded t=6.317 (p<0.001), confirming a statistically significant difference. Mean N-Gain was 0.597 (moderate) for the experimental class versus 0.275 (low) for the control, with Cohen's d=1.631 indicating a very large effect. These findings confirm that AI-PBL is highly effective in developing elementary students' mathematical representation processing ability, contributing a replicable, AI-integrated pedagogical model for primary mathematics education.
References
Aripin, U., Rosmiati, T., Rohaeti, E. E., & Hidayat, W. (2025). Learning trajectory for teaching the mean concept using problem-based learning and animated video. Mathematics Education Journal, 19(1), 181–196. https://doi.org/10.22342/jpm.v19i1.pp181-196
Aurpa, T. T. (2026). Transparent AI for mathematics: Transformer-based large language models for mathematical entity relationship extraction with XAI. Scientific Reports, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-43507-7
Avilés Mariño, E., & Sarasa Cabezuelo, A. (2025). AI-enhanced PBL and experiential learning for communication and career readiness: An engineering pilot course. Algorithms, 18(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/a18100634
Báró, E. (2024). The effect of problem-based learning on students' learning outcomes. Annales Mathematicae et Informaticae, 60, 178–189. https://doi.org/10.33039/ami.2024.04.002
Boulton-Lewis, G. M. (1998). Children's strategy use and interpretations of mathematical representations. The Journal of Mathematical Behavior, 17(2), 219–237. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0364-0213(99)80060-3
Chakraborty, S. (2026). Generative artificial intelligence in fifth-generation education systems: A systematic review. Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, 173, 114463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engappai.2026.114463
Gutierrez, R., Maldonado, A., & Villegas-Ch, W. (2026). Adaptive mathematical competency assessment using graph neural networks and reinforcement learning. Discover Artificial Intelligence, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44163-026-00924-x
Liang, Y., & He, P. (2026). Design and implementation of an AI-powered adaptive learning system for university students. International Journal of Data Science and Analytics, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41060-026-01045-5
Liu, Y., Ji, Z., & Guo, K. (2026). Are all domains the same? The effectiveness of multiple representation design in mathematics achievement: A quantitative systematic review with three-level meta-analysis. Educational Psychology Review, 38(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-025-10109-0
Martín-Cudero, D., Guede-Cid, R., & Cid-Cid, A. I. (2026). Impact of problem-based learning on the interdisciplinary skills of upper secondary school mathematics students. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/17799
Mool, A., Schmid, J., Johnston, T., McCoy, K. J. S., Patterson, Z., Feldt, H., Thomas, W., Fenner, E., Lu, K., Gandhi, R., Western, A., Seabold, B., Vollmer, D., Nallaveettil, R., Fanelli, A., Schmillen, L., Tischkau, S., Cianciolo, A. T., Benedict, P., & Selinfreund, R. (2026). Using generative AI to simulate patient history-taking in a problem-based learning tutorial: A mixed-methods study. Technology, Knowledge and Learning. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-025-09929-4
Mosher, C. J. (2025). Dr. Howard S. Barrows: Innovator of the standardized patient and problem-based learning revolutions in health professions education. Simulation in Healthcare, 20(6), 419–423. https://doi.org/10.1097/SIH.0000000000000870
Mumu, J., Prahmana, R. C. I., Tanujaya, B., & Sampouw, F. (2025). In-service teachers' perceptions of problems in mathematics instruction when using a problem-based learning model. Journal on Mathematics Education, 16(4), 1463–1482. https://doi.org/10.22342/jme.v16i4.pp1463-1482
Nurin, N. S., Junaedi, I., & Cahyono, A. N. (2024). Learning numeracy around school environment supported by mobile math trails using problem-based learning model. Mathematics Education Journal, 18(3), 485–498. https://doi.org/10.22342/jpm.v18i3.pp485-498
Ramli, M. S., Ayub, A. F. M., Razali, F., Ghazali, N., & Norudin, S. W. A. W. (2024). Impacts of problem-based learning towards calculus achievement and mathematical critical thinking skills among pre-university students. Malaysian Journal of Mathematical Sciences, 18(4), 785–806. https://doi.org/10.47836/mjms.18.4.07
Samura, A. O., Abdullah, I. H., Siagian, M. D., & Negara, H. R. P. (2025). The application of problem-based learning in improving junior high school students' mathematical communication skills. Mathematics Teaching-Research Journal, 17(6), 195–222.
Tirado-Olivares, S., Navío-Inglés, M., del Olmo-Muñoz, J., & Toledano, R. M. (2026). Escape body: A gamified problem-based learning project in primary education. School Science and Mathematics. https://doi.org/10.1111/ssm.70013
Vessels, T., Hellstrand, H., Aunio, P., & Laine, A. (2026). Pictures in mathematical word problems: A systematic review on the role of task and student characteristics. Educational Psychology Review, 38(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-025-10112-5
Wakjira, G. T., Ayele, M. A., & Birhanu, Z. K. (2026). Effect of the integrated cooperative problem solving and multiple representations approach on mathematical problem solving skills. Discover Education, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-026-01353-9
Wang, I.-Y., Hung, C.-Y., Lin, H.-H., Lai, W.-H., & Wang, Y.-S. (2026). Artificial intelligence readiness in management education: Scale development and validation. The International Journal of Management Education, 24(3), 101429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2026.101429
Wang, Y., Feng, X., Wu, Y., Zhang, X., & Wu, J. (2026). CoachXNet: An artificial intelligence and internet of things integrated platform for personalized training and feedback in digital sports. International Journal of Computational Intelligence Systems, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44196-025-01146-2
Zakaria, M. I., Nasran, N. A. H. N., Abdullah, A. H., Alhassora, N. S. A., Pairan, R., & Yanuarto, W. N. (2024). Unlocking the future: Mathematics teachers' insight into combination of M-learning with problem-based learning teaching activities. Mathematics Teaching-Research Journal, 16(3), 196–216.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Frida Destini, Ulwan Syafridin, Rizky Drupadi

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
- Seluruh materi yang terdapat dalam situs ini dilindungi oleh undang-undang. Dilarang mengutip sebagian atau seluruh isi situs web ini untuk keperluan komersil tanpa persetujuan dewan penyunting jurnal ini.
- Apabila anda menemukan satu atau beberapa artikel yang terdapat dalam Bima Journal of Elementary Education yang melanggar atau berpotensi melanggar hak cipta yang anda miliki, silahkan laporkan kepada kami, melalui email pada Principle Contact.
- Aspek legal formal terhadap akses setiap informasi dan artikel yang tercantum dalam situs jurnal ini mengacu pada ketentuan lisensi Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
- Semua Informasi yang terdapat di Bima Journal of Elementary Education bersifat akademik. Bima Journal of Elementary Education tidak bertanggung jawab terhadap kerugian yang terjadi karana penyalah gunaan informasi dari situs ini.












