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How Does Technology Prepare Students
for a Future in STEM Fields?

Project-based
interdisciplinary learning 

This cutting-edge pedagogical model uses digital technology tools to enhance learning experiences for students within the STEM disciplines—with the end goal of engaging students in practical, hands-on projects or challenges in science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects. By making that vital connection between these disciplines, project-based interdisciplinary learning aims to provide students with a more comprehensive understanding of real-world problems and scenarios.

Simulation and virtual reality models

There are a variety of simulation models that support STEM education; with students given the opportunity to engage in both virtual and actual environments to develop the key skills that are crucial for their chosen STEM subject. A simulation mode is typically built on a baseline of a practical, real-world experience; whether that’s a simulated animal dissection or the inner workings of a computer circuit board. In a tough economic climate, a school’s budget is always under scrutiny–and, within the STEM fields, equipment can be expensive and difficult to source. Simulated environments provide students with the experiences and vital learning tools that might otherwise be unavailable to them in a traditional STEM classroom. 

Meanwhile, AR and VR tools can create immersive learning environments for students within their STEM education. In science subjects, students can benefit from the use of visual, interactive experiences through generated 3D models, helping children understand new and often complex ideas with more efficiency–a method that has been proven to improve grades in STEM subjects. 

Virtual reality labs can provide students with otherwise inaccessible education scenarios. Instead of learning about the molecular structure of a chemical compound in a textbook, through VR labs, students can view it for themselves with a virtual zoom. With the help of technology, they can make that all-important connection between science theory and practical application, with the ability to course-correct experiments without costly mistakes. AR and VR can be used to help train medical students, create immersive geometry lessons, and construct simulations for engineering exercises; all from the comfort of a safe and controlled classroom environment.

The use of embedded
assessments

In its purest form, education is a way to channel a child’s intrinsic necessity to develop skills. From an early age, a child’s brain is constantly generating connections that help build the world around them; neurological bonds that encourage problem-solving, collaboration, and communication. Throughout school and into adulthood, these key skills can be developed and enhanced through the use of technology.

Embedded assessments are a proven method of enhancing a child’s learning potential, providing students with ongoing, tailored, and subject-specific self-assessment. When implemented correctly, these assessments can be integrated seamlessly into instructional material, allowing students to reflect on the quality of their explanations, models, or problem-solving within their STEM lessons and coursework.

Online platforms such as Microsoft Teams Assignments and Google Classrooms facilitate the creation and execution of these assessments. Students can engage with multimedia content, interactive simulations, and virtual experiments, allowing for a more dynamic assessment experience. The real-time feedback generated by these assessments helps students make immediate adjustments, transforming the learning process into a continual pattern of self-improvement. From audio and video feedback, text-to-speech, to immersive reader; these key evaluation tools are designed to support learners of all capabilities. 

What’s more, embedded assessments provide educators with valuable insights into each student's learning journey within their chosen STEM field. Teachers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of individual students' thought processes, misconceptions, and, chief of all, their progress. This data-driven approach allows teachers to adjust and refine their teaching strategies to address specific student needs.