Advancing Skills-Based Education: Designing and Validating a Constructivist Learning Environment Model to Foster Students’ Ill-Structured Problem-Solving and Industrial Competencies

Abstract

The overarching aim of this study is to explore how the Constructivist Learning Environment Model enhances ill-structured problem-solving skills and psychomotor competencies among Thai students in skills-based and industrial programs. The research employed a Design and Development approach structured into two phases. Phase 1 involved model development based on literature review, contextual surveys, and theoretical synthesis. Phase 2 focused on model validation through internal expert assessments and external validation via pre-test and post-test with 30 first-year vocational students from Khon Kaen Technological Business College (K-BAC), selected through cluster random sampling. The developed model consists of seven interconnected components: (1) Problem-Based Learning Center, (2) Resource Center, (3) Cognitive Tool Center, (4) Collaboration Center, (5) Problem-Solving Enhancement Center, (6) Scaffolding Center, and (7) Coaching Center. Expert evaluations highlighted the model’s consistency with established theoretical principles, confirming its effectiveness in stimulating cognitive growth, collaborative learning, scaffolding, and problem-solving development. The pre- and post-test results demonstrated significant improvements in students’ problem-solving abilities, with mean scores increasing from 25.7 (SD = 2.85) to 45.27 (SD = 2.35), as indicated by a p-value of 0.000 (p