Integrating AI-supported project-based inquiry to foster mathematical connections in elementary education: a learning innovation framework
This study investigates the effectiveness of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) within a Project-Based Inquiry (PBI) framework to enhance elementary students’ mathematical connections in geometry learning. AI functions as a cognitive scaffolding tool by providing adaptive prompts that support students’ reasoning, representation, and reflection, while PBI engages learners in authentic problem-solving tasks such as designing classroom layouts and park environments.The indicators of mathematical connections assessed in this study include: (1) connections between mathematical concepts (e.g., area and multiplication), (2) connections across multiple representations (visual, symbolic, and verbal), and (3) connections between mathematics and real-world contexts. This study employed a Design-Based Research (DBR) approach involving iterative cycles of design, implementation, evaluation, and refinement. Data were collected at the elementary school level through classroom observations, students’ project artifacts, short interviews, and AI–student interaction logs. The findings reveal substantial improvements in students’ mathematical communication and reasoning skills. Quantitative results indicate increases across all assessed dimensions, including precision of vocabulary usage (from 38% to 76%), logical structuring of arguments (from 42% to 71%), interactive discourse (from 36% to 68%), and accuracy in problem-solving (from 44% to 79).Qualitative findings further show that students transitioned from procedural to conceptual reasoning, demonstrating the ability to connect geometric concepts with real-world design contexts. AI-supported scaffolding facilitated this shift by guiding students from informal reasoning toward formal mathematical modeling. Interview data confirmed increased student engagement, metacognitive awareness, and confidence in problem-solving.These results suggest that AI-supported PBI effectively promotes interconnected mathematical understanding and meaningful learning experiences in elementary education.