The Effect of STEM Education Integrated into Teaching-Learning Approaches (SEITLA) on Learning Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis Study

Abstract

STEM education is an educational approach whose popularity has increased in recent years. Although numerous efforts have been made to make STEM education more effective, educators face great difficulties in finding appropriate teaching methods and strategies. Within this framework, the aim of this research is to examine the results of studies that investigate the effect of STEM education integrated into teaching-learning approaches (SEITLA) on learning outcomes and to evaluate the results obtained from these studies. For this purpose, the meta-analysis method was used in this study. In line with the aim of the study, 33 experimental studies made between the years 2015-2021 were included in the meta-analysis, and the effect sizes of these studies were calculated. It was found that the effect of these activities on individuals’ learning outcomes had an effect size ranging between 0.13 and 2.09. As a result of the meta-analysis, it was determined that among the studies examined in the research, the effect of STEM education carried out with a mastery learning approach on students’ learning outcomes was considerably large. Another interesting result determined in the study was that the effect of a technology-supported STEM approach on learning outcomes was very small. In conclusion, STEM education integrated into teaching-learning approaches such as mastery learning, evidence-based education, and blended learning can be more effective on students’ learning outcomes. At the end of the study, discussions related to the findings are also included.