Correlation of Students’ Perceptions and Performance Towards ODL Virtual Electrotechnology Laboratory Course

Abstract

Since the year 2020, Open Distance Learning (ODL) has made great impact on higher education institutions worldwide. ODL provides flexibility in education where students are able to attend online classes and watch recorded videos of lectures for revision or missed class. Though many institutions offer online-based course, it is still considered limited particularly in Electrical Engineering courses which requires hands-on in-lab practices. This is a challenge for higher institutions to adjust course content to be adaptable with ODL at the same time meet the course objectives. This paper studies students’ acceptance towards ODL virtual Electrotechnology laboratory (EEE111) course in UiTM Pasir Gudang based on Exit-Entrance Survey conducted at the beginning and end of the course with the students’ performance as the control group. The survey was conducted online with specific questions on students’ perceptions of the course. A total of 165 respondents were recorded for EE111 and EE112 programs. The effectiveness of this virtual laboratory was evaluated at the end of the semester by referring to the students’ performance in this course. Students have been assessed on practical skills, report writing, peer and lecturer review as well as on sustainability element in their mini project. The practical skills that contribute 90% from overall marks have been measured in practical test, laboratory work and mini project. Based on this study, it shows positive acceptance from the students towards ODL EEE111 course with 69.4% and 67.8% overall practical skills achieved for EE112 and EE111 programs respectively.