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Current teaching methods in STEM departments – A road map for fundamental university educational reform: evidence from Lebanon

Mira Sabat (Department of Mathematics, University of Balamand, El-Koura, Lebanon)
Roula M. Abdel-Massih (Department of Biology, University of Balamand, El-Koura, Lebanon)
Amjad Kanaan (Biomedical Sciences, University of Balamand, El-Koura, Lebanon)
Sara Salloum (Department of Education, University of Balamand, El-Koura, Lebanon)
Mireille Serhan (Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Balamand, El-Koura, Lebanon)
Roula Fares (Issam Fares Faculty of Technology, University of Balamand, El-Koura, Lebanon)
Nicolas Haddad (Department of Computer Engineering, University of Balamand, El-Koura, Lebanon)
Antoine Melki (Department of Computer Science, University of Balamand, El-Koura, Lebanon)

Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education

ISSN: 2050-7003

Article publication date: 16 December 2020

Issue publication date: 27 January 2022

222

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to: (1) explore existing practices of STEM faculty at a private Lebanese university and (2) assess the extent of implementation of active learning among faculty members of selected STEM departments.

Design/methodology/approach

The Working Group on “Integrating Modern Scientific teaching methodologies in STEM” (IM-STEM) at a tertiary university in Lebanon advocates for novel research-based methods to enhance STEM education. This pilot study investigated, using a modified version of the Wieman and Gilbert “Teaching Practices Inventory”, the current teaching methods used by faculty members in selected STEM departments.

Findings

Remarkably, most respondents admit a willingness to incorporate new teaching methods. Main findings indicate that traditional teaching via didactic lecturing remains prevalent in the STEM classrooms at the tertiary academic institution in Lebanon despite sporadic individual efforts by faculty members to utilize unconventional methods and active learning.

Research limitations/implications

One major limitation that influenced the efficiency of this study is the small number of respondents (71 faculty members). More in-depth data collection combining quantitative and qualitative data should be done in future studies.

Practical implications

Gaining insight into the actual methods used in STEM fields in various departments can help the university management to better understand the key importance of educational reform.

Originality/value

The main value of this paper is to serve as a prelude for educational reform at a tertiary academic institution.

Keywords

Citation

Sabat, M., Abdel-Massih, R.M., Kanaan, A., Salloum, S., Serhan, M., Fares, R., Haddad, N. and Melki, A. (2022), "Current teaching methods in STEM departments – A road map for fundamental university educational reform: evidence from Lebanon", Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, Vol. 14 No. 1, pp. 41-58. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-09-2020-0307

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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