STEM and Online Learning: How are the Two Creating an Innovative Learning Approach?

Daphne Mccarthy, Director of STEM Outreach Programs, Auburn University

Live webinars is one of the well-suited methods to make STEM instruction more interactive and engaging.

STEM programs are well-known for providing college students with practical skills. These classes have been reimagined online, but here is why they are still relevant in today's industry. Biology laboratories, parabolas, and observing various life things under a microscope were typical tasks in college and university Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics (STEM) classes. With the move to virtual learning, professors offering STEM courses have had to rethink their curricula. While STEM-based learning experiences vary in appearance, the value of a STEM degree has only grown in recent years.

STEM and Online Learning

Educators and students alike encountered new obstacles as STEM education migrated online. Using technology has led to distractions, and digital learning has made it challenging to communicate with professors and students—lab-based classes, which are a common feature of many STEM courses, present considerable difficulties. Wi-Fi hotspot access and laptop loan programs have been introduced at some colleges. To suit the remote learning experience, teachers have created innovative teaching approaches and activities, including:

Mailed Lab Kits

Educators can mail lab kits to children to experiment with at home for labs involving non-hazardous materials and activities. Students can use a webcam to demonstrate their comprehension of a concept or use a live video feed to follow along with the professor.

Research and Data Analysis

While many activities are not suitable for online learning, research and data analysis tasks are. Provide a dataset to the pupils and ask them to examine it using a set of rules or reasoning. Teachers might also have pupils write a reflection piece to help them improve their writing skills.

Guest Lectures

One of the benefits of online teaching is that students from all over the world can participate in the class. Educators and their teaching helpers will find it easy to schedule and budget. On the other hand, live webinars can be a great method to make STEM instruction more interactive and engaging. Consider giving each student who attends a webinar one or two bonus points.