Abstract
<p style="text-align:justify">This study determined the challenging learning experiences of engineering students while completing their degree program as factor that might influence to their changing attitude towards achieving higher academic performance. Mixed method of research was utilised in the study considering the total population of 75 graduating students for quantitative and 12 students for qualitative part of the study using focus group discussion. Results showed that engineering students have significantly higher level of positive attitude towards academic performance during their junior level but significantly lower after taking professional courses. Attaining high academic performance still really matters for the engineering students during their junior level but continuously changing their perspective due to encountered challenging experiences while taking the professional courses. Performance in General Engineering courses describes the attitude of the students towards academic performance in personal aspect while professional courses define their attitude in professional aspect. The finding of the qualitative research revealed that there are three themes emerged in the challenging experiences of the engineering students and these are: Abandoned Social Freedom, Survival of the Fittest and Future Oriented Mindset which contributed to the changing perspectives of the engineering students.</p>
Highlights
Engineering degree programs are designed to equip the students with cognitive learning or technical knowledge related to mathematics, technology and allied sciences to better understand how the society can be developed and improved from breakthrough innovations
This study described the perspective of the engineering students regarding the importance of getting high academic performance towards personal aspect and professional aspect during their junior level and senior level
The engineering students answered when they were asked regarding their challenging learning experiences encountered in engineering, one of the main themes emerged from their responses is the “Abandoned Social Freedom”
Summary
Engineering degree programs are designed to equip the students with cognitive learning or technical knowledge related to mathematics, technology and allied sciences to better understand how the society can be developed and improved from breakthrough innovations. Engineering is one of the most in demand and attractive degree programs in college as it is considered both rewarding and challenging (Boles & Whelan, 2017). The study of Baillie and Fitzgerald (2000) is concerned on students at risk from demotivation within engineering courses at Imperial College in London. Low course grade is considered one of the factors according to the Geisinger and Raman (2013) as related to attrition of the engineering students based on the literature review including inadequate teaching and advising. Mara et al (2002) on their study noted that engineering students in the US leave the program due to curriculum overload, poor teaching, and they were discouraged due to low grades
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