Lappan-Phillips Professor of Science Education and CREATE for STEM's director Joe Krajcik has been involved in STEM education research for years in South Africa. HIs most recent collaboration at the University of Johannesburg is with Professor Umesh Ramnarain, Director of the Centre for Advanced Learning Technologies in Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics (CALTSTEAM).
Joe, Dr. Ramnarain, and Tebogo Moloi, a Ph.D. candidate researcher, have studied how computer simulations can help Grade 10 students in under-resourced Soweto schools understand chemistry concepts. These particular concepts can be difficult to understand because much of what happens occurs at the molecular level and cannot be seen directly.
The team found that the simulations helped students learn, but students made even greater progress when teachers provided guidance, questions and feedback as they worked. The research shows that technology is most effective when it complements—not replaces—a knowledgeable teacher.
"Integrating this approach in schools throughout South Africa would result in a substantial improvement in students understand chemistry and helping South Africa secure a STEM workforce", says Professor Ramnarain. Krajcik adds that "the approach is also suitable for other STEM subjects in disadvantaged schools, such as Natural Sciences and Life Sciences".
Read the article about this exciting research at: https://news.uj.ac.za/news/far-better-stem-subject-outcomes-possible-in-sa-schools-uj-study-finds/
A link to the podcast "STEAM ins & outs: Learning that Matters", featuring Joe Krajcik and host Precious Sithole will be available soon!
Read the entire open-access article in the Journal of Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary Science Education Research here.
