Transformative learning experiences among international postgraduate students in the classroom contexts

Abstract

This study was carried out to identify transformative learning experiences among international postgraduate students in UTM. This study was conducted to explore and understand how the international postgraduate students experience transformative learning in the classroom contexts. Learning experience that went through by the international postgraduate students would give positive impact towards teaching and learning process in public Universities in Malaysia. Meaning perspective is related to student interaction with the environment and learning styles among international postgraduate students. Transformative learning theory is the main theory used in the framework of this study, in addition to the theory of self-directed learning, socio-cultural and constructive. All four of these theories are important in understanding and exploring the perspectives of meaning and significance scheme of respondents in the context of learning in the classroom. Therefore, to explore and understand this research in depth, qualitative method which is in-depth interview (semi-structured) being used by the researcher. Phenomenological approach and case studies are also used to understand the transformative learning among postgraduate students were selected using purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the transcripts of the eight respondents correctly. The results showed that participants can change the structure of meaning (meaning old structure) they are old to the new (revised new meaning structure) through information technology, in-class discussions and physical environment of the classroom. This study provides a deep understanding of the phenomenon of international students abroad. However, due to the limitations of the research, future studies related to this topic need to explore more by upcoming researchers.