Priviet Social Sciences Journal
Vol. 6 No. 4 (2026): April 2026

The effectiveness of the Project-Based Learning (PjBL) approach in teaching mathematical modeling at the elementary school level: A systematic literature review

Kholid, Idham (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
20 Apr 2026

Abstract

The development of mathematical modeling skills has become a critical competency in the elementary school mathematics curriculum; however, instructional approaches are often abstract and challenging. Project-Based Learning (PjBL) is proposed as a potential pedagogical framework for concretizing the modeling process through authentic projects. This Systematic Literature Review (SLR) aims to synthesize empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness, design, and implementation challenges of PjBL for teaching mathematical modeling in elementary schools. Following the PRISMA protocol, a systematic search was conducted across four databases (Scopus, Web of Science, Garuda, and Google Scholar) for empirical studies from the period 2015-2024, resulting in 17 articles. The synthesis shows that PjBL, when designed with contextual themes and supported by structured teacher scaffolding, effectively enhances both modeling competencies (particularly in problem formulation and validation) and student affective aspects (engagement, motivation, and self-efficacy). The main challenges are time management, student cognitive load, and teacher preparedness. The primary contribution of this review lies in its exclusive and systematic mapping of the convergence between PjBL and mathematical modeling, specifically at the elementary level, offering a holistic analytical framework that integrates cognitive and affective outcomes alongside implementation dimensions. In conclusion, PjBL is a promising approach for mathematical modeling learning in elementary schools, with significant implications for curriculum design, teacher professional development, and authentic-assessment practices. Future research should explore models for teacher development and their effectiveness in more diverse cultural contexts.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

PSSJ

Publisher

Subject

Economics, Econometrics & Finance Education Environmental Science Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice Social Sciences

Description

PSSJ: Priviet Social Sciences Journal is an open access, monthly peer-reviewed international journal published by PRIVIETLAB. It provides an avenue to academicians, researchers, managers and others to publish their research work that contributes to the knowledge and theory of Social Sciences. PSSJ ...