Effects of an integrated STEAM approach on the development of competence in primary education students (Efectos de una propuesta STEAM integrada en el desarrollo competencial del alumnado de Educación Primaria)

Abstract

The multidimensional character of competence development involves a profound methodological change in how the teaching process is conceived. An integrated STEAM education is one potentially useful methodological approach to assist in this matter. Using design research, an integrated STEAM approach was designed, implemented and assessed with 121 students in their sixth year of primary education. Its effect was analysed through a mixed methods study. The results show that the students obtain a high level of competence after the approach is applied in all of the key competences, with an emphasis on the level attained by girls in scientific skills. These results seem to reinforce the hypothesis that an integrated STEAM education is effective as a possible avenue for improving competence development in the primary education years as it didactically responds to the complexity of today's world. RESUMENEl carácter pluridimensional del desarrollo competencial implica un cambio metodológico profundo en el modo de concebir el proceso de enseñanza. En este sentido, uno de los enfoques metodológicos potencialmente útiles es la educación STEAM integrada. Mediante una investigación de diseño, se diseñó, implementó y evaluó una propuesta STEAM integrada con 121 estudiantes de sexto curso de Educación Primaria, analizándose su efecto a través de un estudio de métodos mixtos. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que el alumnado alcanza un alto nivel competencial después de la aplicación de la propuesta en todas las competencias clave, destacando el alcanzado por las chicas en la competencia científica. Estos resultados parecen reforzar la hipótesis de la efectividad de la educación STEAM integrada como una posible vía para mejorar el desarrollo competencial en la etapa de Educación Primaria, respondiendo didácticamente a la complejidad del mundo actual.

Teacher Professional Development in Integrated STEAM Education: A Study on Its Contribution to the Development of the PCK of Physics Teachers

“…In terms of how the integration of various areas can be achieved, the discussion becomes more complex, because it must ensure the development of diverse competencies as well as knowledge construction. In this regard, Ortiz-Revilla et al [23] have developed a model for iSTEAM that enables the achievement of such objectives and provides detailed information to understand the process of design, implementation, and evaluation of an iSTEAM didactic sequence. This model proposes an epistemological examination of scientific progress, structured around three levels of scientific commitment: commitment to theories, methods, and aims.…”

Rethinking the innovation, effectiveness and perceptions of flipped classroom (Repensar la innovación, la eficacia y las percepciones del aula invertida)

“…As Ortiz-Revilla et al (2021) emphasized, competence development requires a significant change in the ways teachers and students treat teaching and learning processes. Along this line, if we realize that the understanding of teaching and learning is likely to be re-conceptualized together with a deeper recognition of teaching principles, we should treat the claimed changes resulting from FC (especially the improvement of performance and other competences) in a more rational manner.…”

“…Como Ortiz-Revilla et al (2021) subrayan, el desarrollo de competencias requiere un cambio significativo en la forma en que docentes y estudiantes gestionan los procesos de enseñanza y el aprendizaje. En este sentido, puesto que el conocimiento, junto a un conocimiento más profundo de los principios pedagógicos, contribuye a reconceptualizar nuestra concepción de la enseñanza y el aprendizaje, deberíamos abordar los cambios supuestamente resultantes del AI (especialmente la mejora del rendimiento y de otras competencias) de una forma más racional.…”

Conceptions and Attitudes of Pre-School and Primary School Teachers towards STEAM Education in Spain

“…In this context, a teaching approach emerged just over a decade ago to improve student learning abilities by bringing them closer to reality by integrating various disciplines: integrated education in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (hereinafter, STEAM). The approach is presented as one way to improve student literacy with positive results reported in various contexts [7][8][9][10][11] including disadvantaged contexts [12]. However, several implementation difficulties have been reported in the recent literature, related mainly to issues of curriculum organization and teacher training [13][14][15], for which some solutions have also been provided [16].…”