Module intervention: effect on problem solving skills among technical students

Abstract

Technology engineering education in Malaysia is constantly changes because of development progress in industry and technology demands. Therefore, a soft skill such as problem-solving skills is crucial for graduates in technical and technology engineering education field. Various initiatives have been implemented in ensuring that they are capable to enhance students’ problem-solving skills. These research papers discuss the development of a module to support students’ problem-solving skills and also the effectiveness of module implementation. The investigation was based on the previous issues from problem-solving in final year project, written feedback from industries and also by observation during the class. Furthermore, the underpinned theories used for the development module were Theory Inventive Problem Solving and Experiential Learning Theory. An experiment was carried out from one of Majlis Amanah Rakyat Higher Technical Institution in Malaysia. Interventions of the module were implemented during a semester academic week. Two groups were formed: Treatment and Control group. Data were taken before and after module intervention (pre-test and post-test). It represents technical students in the area of diploma engineering technology education. The data was analyzed quantitatively and the results shows students’ lack of exposure in problem-solving techniques. It was discovered by many of the students’ tend to solve the problem by intuitive rather than a systematic approach.