Structural relationship of learning environment, learning approaches, and generic skills among engineering students

Abstract

This study evaluated structural relationships among learning environment, learning approaches, and generic skills of engineering students. Research instruments used were: (i) an adapted Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ), (ii) the Revised Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F), and (iii) a Generic Skills Instrument. Participants were 527 engineering students in eight Malaysian technical institutions. The structural equation model (SEM) was tested using SPSS 17 and AMOS 18 software. Two learning environment elements namely learning community and assessment were shown to have a direct relationship, and three other elements (clear objective, good teaching and learning resources) were indirectly related to generic skills through learning approach. A model of inter-relationship between generic skills (GS), learning approaches (LA) and learning environment (LE) was proposed.