Innovating the professional training of students in higher education institutions in STEM disciplines: Organizing digital ecosystems

Abstract

Objective: The paper aims at describing a model of remote social service to prepare the student of the Higher Education Institutions of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) areas for jobs, based on their competencies in using ICT and the organization of a digital learning ecosystems.

Method: The fact that, according to law, in Mexico social service is mandatory to obtain a professional degree certification was sued as a theoretical framework. On such basis, an operational matrix of variables was devised to outline the model proposed and revealing the method to be used. The use of the Delphi method as a prospective tool and he Likert scale allow to assess the proposal and knowing the surveyed subjects’ attitude towards it.

Results: The study revealed that teachers are convinced that with the support of the student the most relevant and recognized technological, pedagogical, and administrative trends in the world of distance and virtual education could be integrated into the IES. Thus, guaranteeing the final training of the student in the STEM knowledge area, complying with the social service at a distance and applying their knowledge for the benefit of the IES community to which they belong.

Conclusion: The proposal helps to explain that a model of distance social service that integrates the leadership of the teacher and the student digital fluency contributes to the creation a digital learning ecosystems in order to reduce the existing lag at university institution, shown in the Horizon NMC report on trends, challenges and technological developments that impact teaching and learning.