Teachers are encouraged to improve the learning experience in their classrooms. This means that educators are encouraged to pay more attention to STEM learning.
These are essential considerations for helping students be prepared to tackle a technologically and scientifically advanced world. However, simply implementing more open-ended science lessons or using apps on iPads and laptops won’t improve student learning. How technology is used in schools can make a difference to students’ learning outcomes.
The scaffolds and supports found within technology can be used to support tool science learning.
ROLE-PLAYING AS A SCIENTIST
Students can get in the shoes of scientists by allowing them to do the same work as scientists. This is a great way to get them interested in science. This can improve students’ identity in science and self-efficacy in science. It also helps them feel more positive about science.
PROBLEMATIZING LEARNING TOOL SCIENCE TASKS
Tutorials and help buttons are blackroots science two examples of digital structures that offer this type of instant information. Digitally-enabled open-ended, problem-based learning situations allow students to be reminded of available tutorial buttons and automated help during confusing parts of work. This allows them to improve their understanding and further their learning. These tutorials can be used to help students understand complex concepts and tools in digital learning contexts.
TEACHERS AIDED IN ASSESSMENT
Teachers are responsible for assessing student comprehension in science learning. They must identify where students are at the moment and plan learning experiences that will deepen their understanding. Teachers can use digital learning contexts to allow students to understand different types of assessments. These assessments can be summative, diagnostic, or formative.
These assessments may include multiple-choice questions or standard quizzes that are used to evaluate students’ comprehension of scientific content. Students can get instant feedback from digital quizzes, helping them to assess their learning. This is especially helpful for complex concepts and processes. Teachers can see the results of digital quizzes, which highlight student progress and allow them to assess where each student stands in their learning. A concept map is another digital assessment tool that allows students to visually express their understanding.
