Abstract
This systematic literature review (SLR) investigates transformative teaching strategies for enhancing students’ algebraic thinking, a foundational competency in mathematics education. Recognizing the long-term significance of algebraic reasoning, this review synthesizes findings from 25 peer-reviewed articles published between 2022 and 2024, identified through comprehensive searches in Scopus and Web of Science, and selected using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses framework. The sample size aligns with accepted standards for SLRs in emerging educational domains. Drawing from recent scholarship, this study constructs a structured framework across four interrelated themes: (1) cognitive transitions in algebra learning, illuminating how students shift from arithmetic to abstract reasoning; (2) innovative pedagogical strategies that promote active, student-centered learning; (3) representational fluency, highlighting the role of visual, symbolic, and contextual tools in bridging conceptual gaps; and (4) developmental alignment in curriculum and assessment design, advocating for instructional sequencing tailored to learners’ cognitive growth. The synthesis reveals that integrating cognitive, pedagogical, and curricular dimensions significantly strengthens algebraic reasoning. Despite its methodological rigor, the study is limited to English-language journal articles and excludes grey literature, which may constrain the comprehensiveness of findings. Moreover, the literature reflects developments only up to 2024, and more recent innovations may not be captured. Nonetheless, this review contributes a timely, evidence-based model for guiding instructional reform in algebra education and underscores the need for targeted, flexible strategies that support students’ conceptual progression toward higher-level mathematics.
License
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Article Type: Review Article
EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed, Volume 21, Issue 10, 2025, Article No: em2721
https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/17250
Publication date: 09 Oct 2025
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