Developing a Digital Platform Ecosystem for Distance Learning and STEM Education

Abstract

In this study, we design an online digital platform ecosystem that addresses the learning needs of students in both traditional education and STEM-focused instruction within educational institutions. The platform will be Internet-based, enabling access for learners wherever an Internet connection is available. As part of this research, we will pilot five learning modules tailored to the platform's environment. A controlled experiment will then be conducted involving two groups of 100 students each: one group will receive instruction through traditional face-to-face methods, while the other will engage with the same content via the digital platform. This design allows us to evaluate the effectiveness of the digital platform model. Data will be collected and assessed based on the following criteria: (1) the average learning outcomes across each course, (2) instructors' feedback on the platform’s capacity to achieve course objectives, and (3) a comparison of learning outcomes between the two groups using statistical hypothesis testing through a t-test.