Research by: Happy Rajpurohit
Written by: Aleesha Ali
Does a person learning STEM online differ from a person learning STEM face-to face?
Some may argue that learning STEM face-to face is much more effective than learning STEM online. Whereas some people disagree with that statement and believe it solely depends on your learning absorption and how effective your mentors are at carrying out classes both online and offline.
STEM consists of different subject components : Science Technology Engineering Mathematics. We can all agree that it's harder to do science experiments and laboratory work online. Having it being demonstrated online might not be effective to some as well. The vast majority feels it’s hands down easy to do lab work, face-to face. Whether it’s collaborating with one another or individual prep work, it's much much easier to do experiments that are visibly right in front of you rather than it being virtually in front of you.
There are a handful who prefer seeing online tutorials of experiments and following along, that’s okay too. Furthermore, science coursework and thesis can be done online. Some find it easier doing it online rather than physically writing it out.
For technology, there are a wide range of different topics. From Digital Modeling and Prototyping to Machine Learning to Data Analytics to Computer Programming. Not forgetting about Game Learning and 3D printing as well. Most of these are preferable and effectual, if done online. Digital Modeling, 3D printing, Machine Learning, etc can be done physically.
Contrasting to Digital Modelling, Digital and Virtual prototyping involves imitating and modeling a product and it uses CADD software, like HyperWorks.
According to an article written during 2021, “The new generation of students who have been away from face-to-face instructions may lack certain learning experiences.” This article is basically an observational study of engineering during the pandemic era. Students were to complete their engineering education online. From their observation, students experienced ‘Zoom fatigue’ after attending multiple online sessions. Not only that but “more than half of the students indicated lack of engagement in class”. If students weren’t involved and interested during class, how would they learn? How will they be able to learn anything new? How will they make a change in the world of today? Some online learners are absolutely capable of learning online and stepping up to help their designated industry or major. But what about the rest? Everybody is different in their own way. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. However if classes were to be online, it would be impactful for some and troublesome for others.
Lastly, mathematics. It really depends on you as an individual. If you’re a hands-on learner, physically writing and doing math would be effective for you. On the other hand, if you have an audiographic memory or your mind remembers better when it comes to listening - doing Math online or listening to Maths tutorials would be effective for you. But, if you’re a visual learner, a ‘mixed of 2 or more different learning style’ type of person then doing online or doing face-to face won’t be that big of an issue for you - your learning absorption won’t be disrupted (unless there are online technicalities).
Comentarios