A Bibliometric Literature Analysis on STEM E-Learning

Abstract

Assessment of multifaceted E-Learning literature lends itself to understanding and identifying themes and future research directions impacting STEM learning and teaching. This paper reports on bibliometric literature analysis of STEM E-Learning. It considers conference and journal publication trends in E-learning to identify emerging research themes from the standpoint of trans/multi-disciplinary scholarship and technology. We used Elsevier’s SCOPUS database to find relevant publications from January 2013 to August 2022. Using publication citation ranking and other factors (e.g., publication venues), we selected 194 articles and then analyzed them using BibExcel and VOSviewer software tools. This study shows an increase in publications during the 2019-2020 period, followed by a decline beginning with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. A thematic analysis of the abstracts and selected full papers revealed a strong focus on utilizing mixtures of Augmented/Virtual Reality, simulations, and others for mixed-modality learning and teaching. Emerging technologies are essential for improving or creating new kinds of anywhere/anytime platforms needed for STEM virtual labs. We highlight these findings to understand better and meet the enduring challenge of scaling STEM E-Learning across diverse communities of students and educators at higher-education institutions.

Keywords: Bibliometrics, E-Learning, STEM, Thematic analysis, BibExcel, VOSviewer

JEL Classification: I2