Harnessing pedagogical innovation and educational technology to revolutionize STEM beyond the classroom: Future directions

The rapid advancements in pedagogical innovation and educational technology have opened new avenues for transforming Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education beyond traditional formal learning settings. This paper delves into emerging learning models and investigates the potential of integrating technology to revolutionize STEM education by fostering the skill sets necessary for the future. Specifically, this paper examines key pedagogical approaches, blended learning and inquiry-based learning, that can be effectively combined with educational technologies to bridge learning across diverse contexts, extending beyond the confines of the classroom. By highlighting educational technologies, this paper aims to advocate for the utilization of learning tools to create immersive and interactive learning experiences. It is argued that by designing these learning experiences, the gap could be bridged between abstract concepts taught within the classroom and the real-world challenges encountered beyond its boundaries.