New Technologies in Educational Solutions in the Field of STEM: The Use of Online Communication Services to Manage Teamwork in Project-Based Learning Activities

Abstract

STEM education as an innovative paradigm of education is being rapidly introduced into the curricula of higher educational institutions.The research is devoted to the study of the capabilities of online communicationservices for managing teamwork aimed at the development and implementationof innovative investment projects in the STEM education environment. Aninnovative concept of a distance learning course – Designing investmentprojects in the field of health care and recreation – is suggested based onorganizational principles. The online communication services such as MirapolisVirtual Room, Moodle and Microsoft Teams implemented into the educationalinteraction program made it possible to create a high-quality real-time elearningenvironment. The online course was tested by 200 students. The resultsof the experiment confirmed the effectiveness of the use of onlinecommunication services and platforms in the development of professionalpractical experience within the educational concept of STEM. Studentsappreciated the high level of the innovative component in team interactionprograms (98%), as well as, in the approaches to cooperation with businessentities (95%); 91% of students noted the high level of quality of theeducational content, pedagogical (84%), technological (92%) and conceptual(78%) innovative value of the educational product. Taking a course that isbased on the STEM model had a dramatic impact on the development of thekey competencies of the 21st century. The study can be of interest to teacherswho are looking for effective pedagogical models that can be easily adapted tothe needs of the business environment and the generation of students of the newdigital era