Affiliation:
1. Department of Didactics of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Education, Comenius University in Bratislava, Račianska 59, 813 34 Bratislava, Slovakia
2. Department of Pedagogy, Faculty of Education, Comenius University in Bratislava, Račianska 59, 813 34 Bratislava, Slovakia
Abstract
Education is a constantly evolving field that encompasses various approaches to teaching and learning. In our paper, we focused on qualitative research conducted with future primary level teachers using a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) approach. The research involved classroom observation, analysis of the student work, and obtaining interpretations from the students via report protocols and focused interviews. We examined the students’ learning and problem-solving strategies within STEAM-based activities as well as their perspectives on its use in primary education. Students participated in the research activity in two stages. In the first stage, further referred to as Activity 1, they followed a predetermined algorithm, instructions to construct an electronic device. The instructions for this device were developed to serve as a resource for primary education and to prepare the students for the second stage. In the second stage, further known as Activity 2, the students were tasked with creating a new electronic device together with providing the instructions. The new device was required to have a practical application. Following the completion of these activities, we collected and analyzed the procedural reflections and didactic interpretations from students. Within these interpretations, we also sought their opinions on how STEAM projects like these could help develop various aspects of STEAM competencies in children such as technical skills and knowledge, algorithmic thinking, and device architecture as well as mathematical and scientific thinking.
Reference57 articles.
1. Punie, Y. (2017). European Framework for the Digital Competence of Educators: DigCompEdu, Publications Office of the European Union. EUR 28775 EN.
2. Pupala, B., and Fridrichová, P. (2022). Education for the 21st Century—Background to Changes in the Primary Education Curriculum [Vzdelávanie pre 21. Storočie—Východiská Zmien v Kurikule Základného Vzdelávania], Štátny pedagogický ústav.
3. KIKS Creativity and Technology for All;Houghton;Open Educ. Stud.,2019
4. Conde, M.Á., Sedano, F.J.R., Fernández-Llamas, C., Gonçalves, J., Lima, J., and García-Peñalvo, F.J. (2020, January 27–30). RoboSTEAM Project Systematic Mapping: Challenge Based Learning and Robotics. Proceedings of the 2020 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON), Porto, Portugal.
5. A motivational account of the undergraduate experience in science: Brief measures of students’ self-system appraisals, engagement in coursework, and identity as a scientist;Skinner;Int. J. Sci. Educ.,2017