Challenges in STEM Education

A special issue of Mathematics (ISSN 2227-7390).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2022) | Viewed by 7190

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Institute of Computer Science, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Podchorazych 2, 30-084 Krakow, Poland
Interests: mathematical analysis; mathematical modelling; composites; complex analysis; mathematical computing; scientific computing; applied analysis; asymptotic theory; functional equations; symbolic computation

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Education, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
Interests: mathematics education; ICT in education; history of mathematics education

Special Issue Information

 Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Mathematics will be devoted to the role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education, which was very important during the pandemic situation of Covid-19 at universities.

The inclusion of ICT has a potential transformative effect on education. Firstly, it enhances science education by understanding complex or remote concepts via visualization, using inquiry-based learning and different kinds of models, and facilitating the creative processes, which are crucial in STEM education. Furthermore, ICT can support, mediate, and promote the 21st century skills required for effective creativity, cooperation, communication, and critical thinking.

It is important for each STEM discipline in education to build notions with better understanding for each learner. For example, in the case of mathematics, just like education in other subjects, mathematics education requires the crossing of boundaries between disciplines and depends on results and methods of considerably diverse fields, including mathematics, pedagogy, sociology, psychology, history of science and others. The core of mathematics education also covers following activities:

- analysis of mathematical activities and of mathematical ways of thinking,

- development of local theories (for example, on mathematizing, problem solving, proving and practicing skills),

- exploration of possible contents that focuses on making them accessible to learners,

- critical examination and justification of contents in view of the general goals of mathematics teaching,

- research into the pre-requisites of learning and into the teaching/learning processes,

- development and evaluation of substantial teaching units, classes of teaching units and curricula,

- development of methods for planning, teaching, observing and analyzing lessons, and

- inclusion of the history of mathematics education.

A similar situation takes place in the education of other subjects related to STEM school subjects (for example informatics, physics, biology, or chemistry education).

Prof. Dr. Vladimir Mityushev
Dr. Ján Guncaga
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Didactics of Mathematics and STEM Education
  • 21st century skills in STEM Education
  • Pandemic situation Covid-19 in the relationship to STEM Education
  • Development of mathematizing, problem solving, proving and practising skills in relationship to STEM Education
  • Using history of mathematics education and history of education in STEM Education

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 615 KiB  
Article
Advancing Multidisciplinary STEM Education with Mathematics for Future-Ready Quantum Algorithmic Literacy
by Meng-Leong How
Mathematics 2022, 10(7), 1146; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/math10071146 - 02 Apr 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1763
Abstract
The perception that mathematics is difficult has always persisted. Nevertheless, mathematics is such an essential component of STEM education. Quantum technologies are already having enormous effects on our society, with advantages seen across a broad variety of industries, including finance, aerospace, and energy. [...] Read more.
The perception that mathematics is difficult has always persisted. Nevertheless, mathematics is such an essential component of STEM education. Quantum technologies are already having enormous effects on our society, with advantages seen across a broad variety of industries, including finance, aerospace, and energy. These innovations promise to transform our lives. Managers in the business and public sectors will need to learn quantum computing. Quantum algorithmic literacy may help increase mathematical understanding and enthusiasm. The current paper proposes that one possible approach is to present the information in a reasonably gentle but intelligible way, in order to excite individuals with the mathematics that they already know by extending them to acquiring quantum algorithmic literacy. A gentle introduction to the mathematics required to model quantum computing ideas, including linear transformations and matrix algebra, will be given. Quantum entanglement, linear transformations, quantum cryptography, and quantum teleportation will be used as examples to illustrate the usefulness of basic mathematical concepts in formulating quantum algorithms. These exemplars in quantum algorithmic literacy can help to invigorate people’s interest in mathematics. Additionally, a qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) framework is provided that teachers can utilize to determine which students to approach for remediation. This assists the teachers in dispelling any pupils’ uncertainty about mathematical concepts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges in STEM Education)
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20 pages, 12288 KiB  
Article
COVID-19 Emergency Remote Teaching Opinions and Academic Performance of Undergraduate Students: Analysis of 4 Students’ Profiles. A Case Study
by Gádor Indra Hidalgo, Fermín Sánchez-Carracedo and Daniel Romero-Portillo
Mathematics 2021, 9(17), 2147; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/math9172147 - 03 Sep 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2887
Abstract
Distance learning due to the COVID-19 lockdown, commonly called emergency remote teaching (ERT), substantially changed the methodology of teaching and possibly students’ perceptions of the quality of lectures. Students’ opinions should be collected and analyzed jointly with other data such as academic performance [...] Read more.
Distance learning due to the COVID-19 lockdown, commonly called emergency remote teaching (ERT), substantially changed the methodology of teaching and possibly students’ perceptions of the quality of lectures. Students’ opinions should be collected and analyzed jointly with other data such as academic performance to assess the effect of this pandemic on learning. A 20-question, 4-point Likert scale specific questionnaire was designed and validated twice by a panel of experts. The survey was sent to the 365 industrial engineering undergraduate students enrolled in a chemistry course. Responses (n = 233) and academic data were collected, and four student profiles were identified by using the k-means cluster analysis technique: ‘The Lucky’, ‘The Passive’, ‘The Autonomous Learner’ and ‘The Harmed’. Students experienced the ERT differently according to their profile. Undergraduates who were better autonomous learners excelled in academic performance and were more participative in the survey. In general, students preferred face-to-face classes over distance learning. Undergraduates’ learning has been impaired due to the circumstances. However, contrary to their beliefs, the situation has benefited them with respect to grades when comparing their performance with students from previous years. Discovering what challenges students faced to adapt to the situation is key to giving students tools to grow as autonomous learners and to enable educators to apply tailored teaching techniques to improve the quality of lectures and enhance student satisfaction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges in STEM Education)
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