Effectiveness of STEM courseware based on edugame and assistive approach

Abstract

Implementing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in curriculum has become an ultimate target for many nations around the world. The implementation of STEM education also has been focused among Malaysian preschoolers. However, majority of preschoolers STEM education throughout the world still rely upon a traditional teaching format that reaches only a subset of student. Many preschoolers are lack of interest and engagement to learn STEM Education due to limited availability of interactive teaching method and tools. Research indicates that, there is limited high-quality assistive technology to drive effective practice for early preschool STEM education. On the other hand, playing games to acquire basic educational skills especially in preschools has been one of the most effective ways of learning. Although the discussion between these two technologies has been gaining strength in recent years, there are limited studies that cover the integrating features between them, especially for STEM education. The purpose of this study is to identify those elements of between the assistive technology and edugames and propose courseware design model for preschoolers STEM education. The study used a systematic literature review (SLR) as a method to identify the courseware component and element of assistive technology and edugames. Hence, the proposed courseware design model consists of four courseware components which are structural component, content composition component, learning approach and technology component. A prototype known as Bridge Master has been developed based on the proposed courseware model. Overall, the result showed a very high score obtained by the preschoolers has utilizing the courseware. This indicates, the Bridge Master courseware design model has been proven as effective for the preschoolers STEM education.