Advanced visualization technologies in enhancing student learning and performance in K-12 STEM education

Abstract

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education has evolved into a principal instrument for building 21st-century competencies. However, its curricular packages are inaccessible to the senses, incomprehensible to the mind, and unpalatable to the will—which fail to draw learners’ interest and motivation. Advanced visualization technologies are regarded as critical instructional inputs that mitigate these challenges and problems. This narrative literature review aims to demonstrate the roles of advanced visualizations in enhancing student learning and performance in K-12 STEM education. The review found that advanced visualization technologies are incorporated to support instruction in K-12 STEM education, predominantly based on the cognitive theory of learning and its many variants. It also observed that the advanced visualization technologies can be categorized into five groups, namely: multisensory representation products and tools, creative visualization and animation tools, AI-powered adaptive learning and visualization platforms, extended reality systems, and scientific data visualization and predictive modeling tools. This classification helps in the selection and implementation of the technologies. The technologies have been widely applied in K-12 STEM instruction with encouraging results in terms of students’ conceptual understanding and achievement, reasoning and thinking skills, computational and scientific skills, affective and motivational outcomes, and 21st-century skills. Hence, STEM education researchers and classroom teachers must organize empirical and experiential evidence to develop better approaches for effectively using technologies that mitigate students’ and teachers’ pedagogical and technical challenges.