A framework to foster problem-solving in STEM and computing education

ABSTRACT

Background: Recent developments in STEM and computer science education put a strong emphasis on twenty-first-century skills, such as solving authentic problems. These skills typically transcend single disciplines. Thus, problem-solving must be seen as a multidisciplinary challenge, and the corresponding practices and processes need to be described using an integrated framework.

Purpose: We present a fine-grained, integrated, and interdisciplinary framework of problem-solving for education in STEM and computer science by cumulatively including ways of problem-solving from all of these domains. Thus, the framework serves as a tool box with a variety of options that are described by steps and processes for students to choose from. The framework can be used to develop competences in problem-solving.

Sources of evidence: The framework was developed on the basis of a literature review. We included all prominent ways of domain-specific problem-solving in STEM and computer science, consisting mainly of empirically orientated approaches, such as inquiry in science, and solely theory-orientated approaches, such as proofs in mathematics.

Main argument: Since there is an increasing demand for integrated STEM and computer science education when working on natural phenomena and authentic problems, a problem-solving framework exclusively covering the natural sciences or other single domains falls short.

Conclusions: Our framework can support both practice and research by providing a common background that relates the ways, steps, processes, and activities of problem-solving in the different domains to one single common reference. In doing so, it can support teachers in explaining the multiple ways in which science problems can be solved and in constructing problems that reflect these numerous ways. STEM and computer science educational research can use the framework to develop competences of problem-solving at a fine-grained level, to construct corresponding assessment tools, and to investigate under what conditions learning progressions can be achieved.     

中国建设高等教育强国路线图研究

根据联合国教科文组织、经济合作发展组织、美国联邦教育部、世界银行、中国教育部以及中国国家统计局的统计数据,在重点研究比较分析了八国集团(G8)、澳大利亚、欧盟和中国的高等教育发展基本指标后发现,高等教育强国具备一些基本的特征:高等教育毛入学率在65%以上;高等教育公共支出占GDP的比例在1%以上;留学生占本国高等教育学生规模的比例在3%以上;适龄(25-64岁年龄段)人口中的30%以上接受过高等教育;普通高校全职教师的65%以上拥有博士学位.根据这些基本特征,结合我国国民经济和社会发展总体目标,描绘了中国建设高等教育强国路线的"三步走"发展战略.     

STEM education: A tale of two paradigms

Higher education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines has been in a turbulent period for several decades. Pressures for reform include declining STEM student enrollments, high attrition rates from STEM curricula, and the rise of powerful alternative teaching strategies shown by cognitive science and educational research to promote learning and curricular retention better than traditional teaching methods do. In addition, research has shown that online and face‐to‐face courses on average produce comparable learning outcomes, and hybrid courses that combine the best features of both are more effective than either face‐to‐face or online courses by themselves. Motivated by these and other pressures, many faculty members have adopted the new teaching methods, and distance education had become widespread well before the 2020 coronavirus pandemic forced most educators at all levels to teach online. As might be expected, however, many faculty members and administrators have resisted change, arguing that the traditional approach has always worked well and needs no major revision. Before the pandemic, most STEM courses were still being taught using the traditional methods, and many course instructors are eager to return to them. These different responses to calls for education reform have led to heated debates among university instructors and administrators regarding how STEM curricula and courses should be designed, delivered, and assessed, and the role technology should play in all three functions. This essay outlines two competing paradigms on each of these issues—the traditional paradigm, which has long dominated STEM education, and the emerging paradigm, which has become increasingly common in the last 30 years but is still not predominant at most universities and colleges. The essay concludes with speculation about the eventual outcome of the competition.     

Cultivating creative mentalities: A framework for education

In so far as education has acknowledged creativity at all, it has commonly focused on ‘allowing’ rather than ‘developing’ creativity, on arts-based ‘experession’ rather than broader or deeper kinds of creativity; and on the role of techniques rather than dispositions. This paper seeks to redress the balance by arguing for a range of candidate ‘habits of mind’ that are conducive to general-purpose creativity, and focusing on some of the aspects of classroom culture that seem to be conducive to the development of these habits of mind. Two practical examples from action research projects carried out over the last four years in Cardiff are used to illustrate the potential of this approach. It is suggested that this kind of ‘gentle persuasion’ may well have greater long-term value than the kind of bolt-on reative binges that are sometimes found in primary schools.     

Speedometry: A vehicle for promoting interest and engagement through integrated STEM instruction

ABSTRACT

The curriculum, Hot Wheels Speedometry (Mattel, El Segundo, CA, USA), was designed to align with the Next Generation Science Standards for science and the Common Core State Standards for mathematics. Our objective was to develop, implement, and evaluate the impact of this integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curriculum on students' knowledge, interest, and engagement. The authors conducted the study in a district where students were predominantly from communities under-represented in STEM fields. The findings indicate that student individual interest developed. Furthermore, students demonstrated affective, behavioral, and cognitive engagement along their progression of interest development. The study shows promise for the development of interest and engagement in under-represented groups through the use of an integrated STEM curriculum.     

A road map for change: ensuring that women have breastfeeding support

Despite new policy changes and national dialogue about breastfeeding, significant barriers in all sectors of society continue to exist for most women who decide to breastfeed. Breastfeeding rates fall short of current medical recommendations and our nation's own public health goals, resulting in significant health and economic impacts. The launch of The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding provides an opportunity for a society-wide approach in removing barriers that make it difficult for many women to succeed. Childbirth educators are urged to use these action steps as a springboard to influence lasting change so that all women have the opportunity to breastfeed their children.     

A theoretical framework for productive education

having held various posts specializing in educational administration in different private institutions in California. Author of several articles dealing with the issue of productive work combined with academic study.     

A national research agenda for the postsecondary education of deaf and hard of hearing students: a road map for the future

This article describes converging nationwide changes in the postsecondary education of students with hearing loss during the past 30 years. Simultaneous trends in the economy, labor force, and business practices have magnified the need for literacy, postsecondary training, and career skills. These conditions stimulated institutional and professional activities that led to drafting a National Research Agenda report to guide development of federally funded research projects in postsecondary education. These studies will enhance better understanding of the complex interactions of diverse support services, learning-living environments, and student populations in a broad continuum of post-high school vocational and academic training programs. The conceptual framework of the Agenda is explained, as are its expected goals, criteria for research projects, benefits, and outcomes. This article interweaves the perspectives and roles of postsecondary and vocational rehabilitation professionals, federal officials, and researchers contributing to the preparation of the Agenda report. Relevant national research studies are cited and consumer involvement in research is emphasized.     

Making a map of science: General systems theory as a conceptual framework for tertiary science education

As a result of the reductionist approach to science curricula in tertiary education, students are learning science in a fragmented way. With the purpose of providing students with tools for a more holistic understanding of science, an integrated approach based on the use of general systems theory (GST) and the concept of 'mapping' scientific knowledge (its relationships, connections and generalities) is developed. GST is used as the core methodology for understanding science and its complexity. By analogy with geographic maps, we introduce scales of educational 'science maps' - scales of integration. Three principal scales of integration can be distinguished in GST, which we consider necessary for GST to be effectively applied in education. They are (a) the scale of branches and fields of science, (b) the scale of hypotheses and theories, and (c) the scale of structures and hierarchies. Examples of each of these three scales are provided from the field of physical science. The role of the scientific community in producing accessible, and essential, maps of scientific knowledge for science education is discussed.     

探索贫困地区发展随班就读的成功之路

贵州省位于祖国的大西南,地处云贵高原东部,地形复杂多样,是典型的喀斯特地貌,发展特殊教育的重点和难点都在经济和文化比较落后的农村.但经过不懈的努力,特殊教育事业已有了长足的发展.     

A framework for management of distance education

Distance Education: The Foundations of Effective Practice. John R. Verduin, Jr. and Thomas A. Clark. (San Francisco: Jossey‐Bass, 1991, 279 pp., $31.95).     

Difficulties in improving medical education: A framework for analysis

This article provides a framework for analysis of the difficulties inherent in educational change. Examples are drawn from medical education to clarify the propositions. Implications for interventions are discussed briefly.     

The road to collaborative and integrated education: Success and struggle in a university classroom

Abstract

Although much of the contemporary discourse on collaborative teaching is positive, there is a dearth of information about and research on the practical issues of undertaking such an endeavor at the university level. The authors of this article team taught a course that combined three educational methods classes (Instruction in Elementary Language Arts, Instruction in Elementary Reading, and Instruction in Elementary Social Studies). This undertaking evoked positive experiences for the instructors and students but also evinced areas that caused conflict and concern, including conflicts regarding student assessment, amount of time required, and lack of administrative support. As we continue to incorporate and refine collaborative teaching at the university level, economics, recognition, and status issues also need to be examined.     

Physical literacy praxis: A theoretical framework for transformative physical education

PROSPECTS - This article aims to propose a theoretical framework, based on the literature, that supports the growth of students’ physical literacy in physical education. The framework...     

A theoretical framework for research into environmental education

The essential question in environmental education is the individual's relationship to his environment, including both that part of his environment which is natural and that part which is man-made. The nature of this relationship is manifested in the way in which the individual acts with regard to his environment and by what choices and decisions he makes in order to come to terms with it. The crucial factors in these decisions are his values, which at the same time represent his cognitive, socio-emotional and ethical development. As an interdisciplinary subject, environmental education draws attention to the technique of examining matters from a variety of viewpoints. Since the consequences of man's decisions regarding his environment are apparent both in the sphere of human life and in the world of nature, these decisions involve ecological and economic, social, political, aesthetic and ethical considerations. Environmental education contains both cognitive and affective aspects, the association between which is examined on the basis of the theoretical premises established in this paper.

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Zusammenfassung Die wesentliche Fragestellung in der Umwelterziehung betrifft die Beziehung des Einzelnen zu seiner Umwelt sowohl zur natürlichen als auch zur von Menschen geschaffenen. Die Art dieser Beziehung zeigt sich in der Handlungsweise des Einzelnen im Hinblick auf seine Umwelt und in den von ihm gewählten Wegen und gefällten Entscheidungen, die ihm ein angemessenes Verhalten ermöglichen. Die ausschlaggebenden Faktoren für diese Entscheidungen sind seine Werte, die gleichzeitig seiner kognitiven, sozio-emotionalen und ethischen Entwicklung entsprechen. Als interdisziplinärer Lernbereich weist die Umwelterziehung auf das Verfahren hin, Umweltfragen von einer Vielzahl von Standpunkten aus zu betrachten. Da die Konsequenzen aus den Entscheidungen der Menschen in Bezug auf ihre Umwelt sowohl im Bereich menschlichen Lebens als auch in der Welt der Natur sichtbar sind, schließen diese Entscheidungen ökologische und ökonomische, soziale, politische, ästhetische und ethische Überlegungen ein. Umwelterziehung enthält ebenso kognitive wie affektive Aspekte, deren Zusammenhang auf der Basis theoretischer Prämissen, die in diesem Artikel begründet werden, überprüft wird.

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Résumé La question essentielle dans le domaine de l'éducation relative à l'environnement porte sur la relation de l'individu avec son environment qui comprend à la fois la partie naturelle de cet environnement et celle provenant de la civilisation. La nature de cette relation se révèle dans la façon dont l'individu agit avec son environnement ainsi que dans les choix qu'il fait et les décisions qu'il prend pour s'accorder avec. Les facteurs décisifs pour ces décisions sont ses valeurs qui représentent en même temps son développement cognitif, socio-émotionnel et éthique. En tant que matière interdisciplinaire, l'éducation relative à l'environnement attire l'attention sur la façon d'examiner les différentes questions en partant d'une quantité de points de vue. Puisque les conséquences des décisions de l'homme concernant son environnement sont visibles dans la sphère de la vie humaine comme dans le monde de la nature, ces décisions impliquent des considérations écologiques, économiques, sociales, politiques, esthétiques et éthiques. L'éducation relative à l'environnement comprend des aspects cognitifs et affectifs dont le rapport est examiné sur la base des prémisses théoriques présentées dans cet article.