Understanding of outcome-based education (OBE) implementation by civil engineering students in Malaysia

Abstract

Outcome-based education (OBE) is an approach that focuses on what students should learn (outcomes) and able to apply after the learning process. The Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia has implemented the OBE approach since 2006. This paper presents the civil engineering students' level of awareness and understanding based on their agreements on the statements related to OBE implementation. Survey questionnaires were distributed to more than 1000 undergraduate students from Year 1 through Year 4. The findings show that majority of the students were aware of the OBE approach and understood its implementation. A good level of understanding on the OBE implementation was observed based on their agreements on the adaptation towards the OBE approach, the independent and lifelong learning, active learning concepts together with the assessment tools/techniques used and advantages gained from the OBE approach. The final students demonstrate a higher level of understanding on OBE implementation compared to the students from the earlier years of study. This indicates that the longer period of study the students were exposed, the better their understanding on the OBE implementation. Even though this study is limited to undergraduate civil engineering students in UiTM Shah Alam, it contributes significantly on the efforts to continually evaluate and monitor OBE implementation to ensure quality and its effectiveness.