Digital Transformation in Higher Education: Integrating Higher STEM Education and Educational Technology in Pedagogical Innovation
Keywords:
digital transformation of education; Edtech; higher Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education; innovative pedagogical methodsAbstract
This study aims to propose solutions to improve the quality of training in the context of digital transformation and the requirements for innovation in higher education. Under the impact of the Industrial Revolution 4.0, traditional teaching methods are no longer suitable for the goal of developing the comprehensive capacity of learners. The study uses a mixed-method design including two phases: (1) a survey of 138 lecturers at Hai Duong University to assess the level of readiness and current status of digital transformation in teaching; (2) a pedagogical experiment with 80 electrical engineering students to evaluate the effectiveness of the model of integrating advanced Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education with modern educational technology. The sample was selected using a stratified random sampling method. Data was collected through online questionnaires and analyzed pre-test/post-test by descriptive statistics and t-tests. The results show that the experimental group had a significant improvement in average score (t = 11.84; p < 0.001) compared to the control group (t = 2.12; p = 0.041). The model combining 6E, engineering design process, project-based learning, and the application of educational technology helped to increase interactivity, personalization, and learning effectiveness. The lecturer survey pointed out the main barriers in technical infrastructure, digital capacity, and institutional support. The study concluded that integrating STEM education and educational technology is a viable direction for pedagogical innovation in the digital transformation era.
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