IMPROVING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS THROUGH USE OF “SMART” LEARNING OBJECTS IN STEM COURSES

The teaching of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses in Higher Education is challenging and requires not only well educated teachers but also use of innovative methods including Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools in order to encourage creativity, and positive change through the excitement of the emotions and the imagination. Furthermore, new and effective ways of student engagement and satisfaction should be explored. In this paper, we present our experience from applying Learning Objects (LOs) in our teaching of STEM courses. We provide successful examples from biology, chemistry and environmental studies courses we teach. Our discussion focuses on what Learning Objects in STEM courses are, how they are produced and copyrighted and in what kind of repositories they can be found. Then, we discuss the ways the specific examples support student learning and engagement, as well as methods of assessment. We demonstrate how Learning Objects can be connected to ICTs in “smart” ways for both real life and virtual reality learning environments. We discuss how the use of Learning Objects increases student enjoyment, motivation and curiosity and helps students become emotionally connected to the topic. Globally, educators and institutions practice the use and sharing of Learning Objects as a good way to enhance collaboration and trigger the generation of new ideas and ways of teaching, moving toward better Communities of Practice.