Integrating ICT-Mediated STEAM Pedagogy to Enhance Socio-Emotional Competencies in Primary Education: Evidence from Atlántico, Colombia

Abstract

This research aims to generate a theoretical con- struct regarding innovative strategies for the development of STEAM competencies in primary school students from the Atlántico Department, Colombia. The study is grounded in the works of Ortiz and Suárez (2021), Pincay (2022), Campos (2020), Macaeli et al. (2020), and Castro and Guzmán (2022), and adopts an interpretive paradigm with a qualitative approach, employing hermeneutic phenomenology as the research method. Through observation and semi-structured interviews with four key teachers, the collected data were coded, categorized, and triangulated. The study identified emerging theoretical constructs encompassing conceptual references, descriptors of STEAM com- petencies, and types of innovative strategies. Findings suggest that implementing STEAM competencies promotes critical thinking and problem-solving in primary students. Ongoing teacher train- ing is recommended to keep educational practices aligned with technological and pedagogical advancements.