Characteristics of student centred learning from the perspective of engineering lecturers

Abstract

Student Centred Learning (SCL) approach is recommended worldwide in higher education. However, many engineering educators are reluctant to shift from teacher-centred to SCL approach because they perceive that effective teaching must heavily involve lectures and knowledge must be transmitted to the learners by the lecturer. This research seeks to identify engineering lecturers’ perspective on the characteristics of meaningful learning. The characteristics are compared to SCL characteristics as outlined by the How People Learn framework. Using data collected among engineering lecturers over two years at the beginning of training workshops on SCL conducted in various universities throughout Malaysia, the data is analyzed qualitatively using thematic analysis. The results show the positive characteristics mentioned are SCL-related approaches, proving that SCL is a relevant teaching and learning approach in engineering because it is not only recommended by experts but also concurred by engineering lecturers when seen from their own learning perspective.