The application of educational technology to develop problem-solving skills: A systematic review

Abstract

Fostering problem-solving skills is vital for students to tackle the complexities of the 21st century. The integration of educational technology has spurred scholarly interest in cultivating students’ problem-solving skills. A systematic examination of these scholarly pursuits can yield invaluable insights and serve as a reference for both researchers and practitioners. In this context, the current study conducted a systematic review, aiming to answer the following questions: (1) What and how are educational technological tools applied to promote problem-solving skills? (2) What instructional strategies are used? (3) What is the impact of the application on students’ development of problem-solving skills? Web of Science was the database used to search literature, and 69 articles were included after the screening procedure. After analyzing the included studies, key findings and implications include: (1) Technological tools deployed in these studies serve diverse functions, often combined to establish immersive learning environments, which indicates that incorporating diverse cognitive and practical technology elements into curriculum design is essential for students’ successful problem-solving; (2) Instructional strategies like scaffolding, guidance, tool training, course orientation, and peer collaboration are employed to facilitate students’ problem-solving proficiencies. This finding stresses the significance of a comprehensive approach to developing problem-solving skills, involving guidance, practical training, situational awareness, and collaboration; (3) The incorporation of educational tools in purposefully designed instruction has a positive impact on students’ problem-solving skills. Consequently, educators and institutions are urged to strategically embrace these tools to foster students’ problem-solving abilities.