Collaborative Learning Approaches in Secondary School STEM Education: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

STEM education plays a critical role in preparing students to become competitive, innovative, and future-ready citizens equipped with 21st-century skills. This study aims to conduct a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) on the use of collaborative learning approaches in secondary school STEM education. A total of 51 empirical studies were selected from an initial pool of 938 articles retrieved from major databases based on strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Through a systematic analysis and synthesis of existing evidence, this review identifies the core characteristics, implementation strategies, and educational impacts of collaborative learning in STEM contexts. Findings indicate that such approaches enhance academic achievement, higher-order thinking skills (HOTS), communication, motivation, and teamwork among students. Based on these findings, a conceptual framework was developed to integrate the key features, strategies, and outcomes of collaborative learning for STEM education. This review provides valuable insights for educators, researchers, and policymakers seeking to strengthen collaborative pedagogical practices in STEM classrooms.