Fostering Inclusive and Equitable Education Through Technology and STEM: Challenges and Innovations

The fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-4) adopted by the United Nations focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting life-long learning opportunities. Many policy initiatives have been undertaken to improve learning outcomes such as improving pupil-teacher ratios, training teachers, and providing additional physical infrastructure to schools[1]. The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) of NITI Aayog is a flagship initiative by the Government of India aimed at fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across the country. Launched with the vision of developing a problem-solving mindset, particularly among students, AIM focuses on nurturing innovation in schools[2]. Many of these policies have high reliance on technology. Several multilateral agencies have been aggressively advocating the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)in school education in order to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all[3].

Notably, a large-scale randomised field experiment in 1823 rural government schools in India that uses technology-aided teaching observed a positive impact on student learning outcomes. The study thus presented a low cost, resource-light design, which can be implemented in a developing country on a large scale to address the problem of poor learning outcomes, thereby making the intervention inclusive and equitable[4].

Further, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) is a promising field growing in popularity due to its significant benefits in our globalized and modernized world. Science and mathematics form the foundation for ongoing technological advancements worldwide and plays a significant role in enabling the next generation of innovators. Traditional teaching and learning practices must be transformed to respond to the modern workplace’s evolution and prepare the future labour force[5]. Further, generation Z students are enthusiastic gamers and constant social media users. Just like their smartphones, they require a smart approach to education that incorporates digital tools. Digital Classes offers innovative education solutions, detailing how Gen Z learners can be effectively taught. It includes digital learning strategies such as videos, animations, and PowerPoint presentations[6].

STEM includes an interdisciplinary subject which develop students' higher-order thinking, productive skills, and creativity. Students will understand these subjects well, if taught by engaging them in activities involving innovative methods that enhance understanding of STEM subjects[7]. However, despite the importance of STEM education, many teachers are not fully aware of STEM and its practices especially due to lack of training and support needed to enact such practices, the same has been found in a study on “Teachers’ Perceptions on STEM Education”[8].

[1]Education for All 2000-2015:achievements and challenges

[2]https://aim.gov.in/overview.php

[3]Education by 2020: A Sector Operations Plan

[4]Impact of use of technology on student learning outcomes: Evidence from a large-scale experiment in India

[5]Exploring the Use of Educational Robotics in primary school and its possible place in the curricula

[6]Transformative Digital Technology for Disruptive Teaching and Learning

[7]STEM in Higher Education: Applications, Objectives and Challenges

[8]In-Service Teachers’ Perceptions on STEM Education: A Study Conducted in the Region of Mumbai

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