Technical Education Faculty Research Articles

The Many Dimensions of Academic Ableism: Career and Technical Education (CTE) Faculty Attitudes in Engaging with Disabled Community College Students

Career and technical education (CTE) faculty play significant roles in supporting their students down viable professional pathways. Yet existent work has not explored their attitudes of or engagement with disabled learners, who remain greatly unemployed. This hermeneutic phenomenological study draws on 20 interviews to uncover community college CTE faculty attitudes that shape their engagement with disabled learners. Findings illuminate how frustration, uncertainty, admiration, and confidence manifest and influence academic ableism. Implications prompt colleges to make sweeping and systematic changes in providing consistent programming (e.g., lunch-and-learn events) and shifting mindsets around disability (e.g., anti-ableism trainings, naming disability as diversity in institutional policies).

The Impact of Service-Learning (SULAM) On Civic Attitudes and Skills of Uthm Students

Service-Learning Malaysia –University for Society (SULAM) is a teaching pedagogy that combines academic learning with meaningful community service. This study aims to identify the effect of the service-learning program (SULAM) on the attitudes and civic skills of UTHM students. The objectives include assessing students' attitudes and civic skills before and after participating in the program and analyzing the differences that exist. A quantitative survey design was employed, utilizing pre-test and post-test to measure attitudes and civic skills changes. In this study, students taking the Sociology of Education course from the Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education participated. The Civic Attitude and Skills Questionnaire (CASQ) was used as a measuring tool. The findings reveal that after participating in the SULAM program, students' attitudes and civic knowledge significantly improved. This study demonstrates that service learning (SULAM) effectively enhances students' attitudes and civic skills, contributing to the holistic development of students and providing empirical evidence to support the integration of theoretical learning with practical applications in higher education.

ชุดฝึกอบรมเพื่อเทียบโอนความรู้ด้วยระบบออนไลน์ รายวิชาวัสดุอุตสาหกรรม สำหรับหลักสูตรครุศาสตร์อุตสาหกรรมบัณฑิต คณะครุศาสตร์อุตสาหกรรม มหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีราชมงคลอีสาน

ชุดฝึกอบรมเพื่อเทียบโอนความรู้ด้วยระบบออนไลน์ รายวิชาวัสดุอุตสาหกรรม สำหรับหลักสูตรครุศาสตร์อุตสาหกรรมบัณฑิต คณะครุศาสตร์อุตสาหกรรม มหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีราชมงคลอีสาน

Perception of Student Readiness in Mastering Core Skills of the Malaysian Skills Certificate / Persepsi Kesediaan Penguasaan Pelajar Dalam Kemahiran Teras Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia

The Malaysian Skills Certification (SKM) is implemented as a formal certificate of recognition for individuals who demonstrate the ability acquired or practiced efficiently to perform a task. Among the aspects emphasized in Malaysian skills certification are core abilities. Therefore, this study aims to look at the perception of students' mastery readiness of core abilities among students of the Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education (FPTV), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia. This study uses a quantitative approach with a survey research design. Using a questionnaire instrument based on SKM level 3 core skills assessment module which consists of six elements namely effective communication, information technology awareness, leadership skills, workplace ethics, administrative skills and health, safety and environmental implementation awareness. The study sample consisted of 92 final year students from General Machining, Building Construction, Catering, Welding & Metal Fabrication, Electrical & Electronics, Creative Multimedia and Refrigeration & Air Conditioning courses. The study's results underwent analysis via the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. This analysis encompassed both descriptive techniques, such as percentages, means, and standard deviations, as well as inferential methods, including T-tests and ANOVA. The study's findings indicate that FPTV students' perception of their readiness to master the core abilities required for Malaysian skills certification is notably high. Therefore, students who will take the SKM verification will be at a high level of mastery readiness. These skills are essential to create a highly skilled workforce that has mastered technical skills as well as core skills.

“We want to give people skills that will get them jobs”: Community College Career and Technical Education Faculty Members’ Teaching Strategies

Increased attention toward filling skills gaps have prompted community colleges to prepare a new wave of employees. Community colleges have long turned to former industry professionals, now serving as career and technical education (CTE) faculty, to train students for fruitful careers. This narrative inquiry study featured interviews with 20 community college CTE faculty and aimed to address this research question: what teaching approaches do community college CTE faculty, as practitioners-turned-educators, implement with their students? Findings showcased five strategies that CTE faculty implement: 1) drawing on professional experiences to shape curriculum; 2) looking to industry for current needed skills; 3) leveraging how students learn to promote practical industry skills; 4) prioritizing students’ humanity; and 5) assisting with internship acquisition. We offer implications to researchers on how to further unravel these participants’ distinct perspectives, as well as provide recommendations to practitioners on how to support CTE faculty in their vital campus capacities.

Factors Influencing Pre-Service Technical Teachers' Academic Performance: Cross-Sectional Study

This research aims to identify factors predicting pre-service technical teachers’ academic performance in a technical teacher training context. This study employed a predictive correlational design. We developed the conceptual framework by combining previous research, and then created a survey to gather data. Between August 1 and August 30, 2022, 109 undergraduates from the Faculty of Technical Education at Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep (RMUTK) received an online self-administered questionnaire. The statistical analysis employed the Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression. The findings of the research showed that there was a positive correlation between various factors such as gender, motivation and attitude towards learning, study habits, family support, curriculum quality, and teaching quality with pre-service technical teachers' academic performance, with the correlation coefficients ranged from .230 to .292 and were all statistically significant (p < 0.05). The multiple correlation coefficient (R) was .474 showed a significant relationship between the independent and dependent variables at the .05 level. The R-squared value was .225, indicating that these six variables combined explain 22.5% of the variation in academic performance. However, this also suggests that our model fails to explain around 77.5% of the variance. Some aspects of the findings derived from this study are expected to result in the creation of digital interventions to better track students' academic performance, aiming to provide equitable educational experiences that maximize the academic performance of each gender group in the future.

The Dispute Between Thinking Styles and Thinking Skills Among Technical Students

Thinking style is one thing that can help students in solving problems by knowing the students' own style. The style of thinking is not an ability but more towards how to use the existing abilities of each individual. Similarly, thinking skills can help students to solve problems and can make students smart in thinking about things. Thinking skills can be formulated as the process of using the mind to find a solution or understanding of something. Thinking skills also allow students to integrate each newly experienced experience into each individual’s mind box. The aim of this study was to identify the thinking style patterns and the level of thinking skills between the demographic factors among technical students. The design of this study was descriptive and inferential with a quantitative approach. A total of 273 technical students from the Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education (FPTV) at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) were randomly selected as a sample covering the fields of Building Construction (BBB), Catering (BBC), Welding and Metal Fabrication (BBD), Electrical and Electronics (BBE), Creative Multimedia (BBF) and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (BBG). A set of modified questionnaires from past studies were used as research instruments. Majority of technical students have a balanced thinking style and follow a critical and creative thinking style. The majority of all technical students at FPTV has a level of mastery of all three thinking skills analytical, practical and creative. Among the three types of skills, the majority of technical students have a level of mastery of high practical thinking skills, followed by creative thinking skills and analytical thinking skills. It is hoped that this study can provide guidance to students, lecturers and institutions to improve the Way of teaching and learning in accordance with the thinking style and thinking skills of students.

A Study of Learning Achievement Using a Flipped-Classroom Model Combined with Online Cooperative Learning in Soil Mechanics Laboratory

The objectives of this research were (1) to assess the appropriateness, (2) to study the learning achievement, and (3) to study the satisfaction of learners of the flipped-classroom model combined with online cooperative learning in the Soil Mechanics Laboratory. The research sample are 56 students enrolled in Soil Mechanics Laboratory, semester 1/2021, Civil Engineering and Education Program; Department of Teacher Training in Civil Engineering; Faculty of Technical Education; King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok. There were five experts in content and another 10 in education. The tools used in the research were online lessons and a learning achievement test. Another tool included a student satisfaction questionnaire with a flipped-classroom model combined with online cooperative learning. The statistics used in the research were percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The results showed (1) the overall suitability of the flipped-classroom model combined with online cooperative learning was at a high level of 4.30/5.00, (2) the overall mean exercise/quiz scores (E1/E2) of learning achievement with a flipped-classroom model combined with online cooperative learning were 85.18/81.01 (100), and (3) the overall learner satisfaction with the flipped-classroom model combined with online cooperative learning was at the highest level of 4.56/5.00.

Investigation On Carbon Emission from Energy Usage at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia

Carbon emissions are the main contributor to global warming, and it is well known that emissions must be significantly reduced to avoid the worst effects of climate change. The objective of this study is to investigate the carbon emissions from energy use in Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia campus. The main data collection approach for this study is the analysis of technical reports on energy consumption from 2015 to 2021 collected from the Development and Maintenance Center (PPP) and Sustainable Campus Office (SCO). The data collected was analyzed and compared over seven years of data presentation and analysis. The results show that the highest energy consumption has a significant impact on increasing carbon emissions on campus, with the highest emissions in 2015 at 1955.38 tCO2e and the lowest in 2021 at 965.70 tCO2e. On the other hand, based on the collected data, depending on the building, from 2018 to 2020, the highest carbon emission was demonstrated by the Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education (FPTV) with 2,875 tCO2e. As a result, lower energy consumption will lead to less carbon emissions that could create a better environment with less pollution and significantly lower costs.

Factors of Positive Emotion Among Catering Students at UTHM During COVID-19 Pandemic

This study aims to identify the main factors influencing positive emotions among Bachelor of Vocational Education (ISMPV) students catering at UTHM during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify the differences in positive emotional factors between male and female students. This study only involves catering students from the Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia. This group of students is selected because they have experience learning before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a quantitative study; therefore, the survey was conducted using a questionnaire instrument to obtain information from the sample. Analytical methods were used in descriptive and inferential forms, using questionnaires as research instruments. The data obtained were analyzed using the SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) software version 25 to obtain the mean values, standard deviations, and t-test to observe the differences between students, male and female. The results showed that the main factor influencing positive emotions among catering students at UTHM during the Covid-19 pandemic was the social support factor with a total mean score of 4.66. In addition, the inferential findings of the t-test found that there was no significant difference in positive emotional factors between male and female students because all the factors involved greatly helped each student to support positive thinking and behavior throughout the learning process.

Evaluation of Student Ability in Laboratory of Electronics Engineering Department with Fuzzy Logic Calculation

Instructive frameworks normally utilize old-style strategies for execution assessment. In this framework, understudy execution relies upon Quiz outcomes and is assessed uniquely as progress or disappointment. Elective, non-traditional execution assessment strategies might be utilized, like fuzzy rationale, a numerical procedure of set-hypothesis that can be applied to many types of dynamic remembering research for designing and man-made brainpower. This review proposes another presentation assessment technique dependent on fuzzy rationale frameworks. Understudy execution of Control Technique Laboratory in University State of Padang Technical Education Faculty, electronics engineering Department, was done with fuzzy rationale and it was contrasted and old-style assessing strategy. Study Quizs are notes in which twenty understudies took the control procedure lab course. Assessment of the outcomes showed varieties among the traditional and fuzzy rationale techniques. In spite of the fact that exhibition assessment utilizing fuzzy rationale is confounded and requires extra programming, it gives some assessment benefits. fuzzy rationale assessment is adaptable and gives numerous assessment alternatives, while the old-style strategy holds fast to consistent numerical estimation. At the implementation stage, the instructor liable for the lab implementation can alter the scopes of participation capacities and rules, allowing non-homogenous yet adaptable and target execution assessment.

SMALL SCALE CLOTHING AND TEXTILE ENTREPRENEURS CREDIT UTILIZATION AT RETIREMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF FAMILIES IN ENUGU STATE

A descriptive survey research design will be adopted for the study. The population of 540 Clothing and Textiles practitioners. The Sample for this study is 123 retirees from register Small Scale Entrepreneurs. Multi-stage – cluster sampling techniques were adopted for 173 registers SSEs in Enugu state. The instrument for data collection was structured questionnaire titled “Enhancing Credit Utilization by Small Scale Clothing and Textile Entrepreneurs Questionnaire in Enugu State” (ECUSSCEQ). four-point scale the instrument was validated by three experts. one lecturer from the department of Home Economics in faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, one from a staff of (SME) and one lecturer from the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Development Research (CEDR) of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. To obtain the reliability of the instrument, the questionnaire was trial-tested on 20 respondents in Anambra State Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient 0.83 was realized which was reliable for the study. The data collected for this study was analyzed using mean of 2.50 to answer the research questions and t-test statistic for testing the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings; Families use of overdraft from Banks; use Hire purchase; Loans from thrift used for investment in human capital; Maintenance of business and Acquire tools and equipment to boot business therefore recommends among others that Families use of Overdraft from Banks; Families use Hire purchase; Families Collect Loans from thrift used for investment in human capital; Maintenance of business and families to Acquire tools and equipment to boot business.

Knowledge, Understanding, and Application of Industrial Training Towards The Students of Catering Study Program

Industrial Training Course is essential and give the positive impact for the curriculum of bachelor’s degree program at Tun Hussein Onn University Malaysia (UTHM. This study aimed to look at knowledge, understanding and application of industrial training to catering students at the Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education, University of Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM). This study is descriptive study that used a five -point Likert scale questionnaire as an instrument. A total of 66 final year students from the Vocational Catering program were used as the study sample. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science version 23.0 for Windows (SPSS). The results show that the level of knowledge, understanding and application of industrial training is high with a mean score 4.29. In addition, catering students also know that knowledge, understanding and application of industrial training were positive to enhance their academic performance and achievement in the program. The results of this study can serve as a guide for exposing students to the real work environment to be better prepared for the future.

Identification of competencies required by auto-electricity/electronics graduates of technical colleges for success in automotive servicing in nigeria

The study is on the Identification of Competencies Required By Auto-Electricity/Electronics Graduates of Technical Colleges for Success in Automotive Servicing In Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Two research questions guided the study. The population of the study is 150 auto-electricians some of who are technical college graduates and who are also registered members of Automobile Electrician Association of Nigeria, Nsukka branch. Due to the manageable size of the population the entire population was used as the sample of the study. The instrument for data collection is the questionnaire. A 99 item questionnaire was developed from literature to obtain data for the study. The instrument was validated by three experts from the faculty of vocational and technical education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The frequency table was used to tally the responses in the different categories of each item. The mean was used to analyze the data collected. Decision Rule: real limit of number was applied in decision making thus: any item that have a mean of 3.50-4.00 will be termed Very highly required, 2.50-3.49 is regarded as Highly required, 1.50-2.49 will be termed Slightly required, 0.50-1.49 will be termed Not required. The findings revealed various competencies required by auto electrician graduates for success in auto motive servicing in accordance with the specific electrical system found in a vehicle, ranging from the starting motor to the computer/mechatronics systems. It was discovered that each competency is highly required for the proper maintenance of automobile with regards to auto electricians.Also, based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that Curriculum of Technical colleges should be reviewed on a regular basis to reflect workplace needs.The learning environment should be a replica of working environment.Within the competency list, Core competency items, which are essential for entry-level students, are required to be taught. Knowledge of these tasks is highly needed to integrate for increasing activity in automotive technology.

The Effectiveness of Vocational Teacher Training Program in Enhancing Communication Skills Among Prospective Vocational Teachers

Abstract: Malaysia moves forward to increase the number of high skilled laborers in 2025. This expectation, however, reflects the readiness of education institutions in offering good students preparation before getting into the real workplace environment. Teacher is one of the crucial models in an education system that may impart with the dynamic changes in student skills acquisition and thus the development of generic skills among future teachers are seems necessary, especially communication skills itself. As in Malaysia, the efforts in the development of teachers' skills in communication have been fully established and implemented in the curriculum of the Vocational Teacher’s Training Program. This study was done to distinguish the perceptions of students in mastering the Interpersonal Communication Skills among Technical and Vocational Education and Training (PLTV) students after attending the Vocational Teacher Training Program. The sample consists of 200 respondents with a total of 158 prospective teachers of undergraduate students from the Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) as well as 42 people of prospective teachers of undergraduates from the Faculty of Technical and Vocational, UPSI. The methodology that has been used is descriptive and inferential statistics through a questionnaire with a five-point scale and Cronbach Alpha coefficient of 0.954. The analysis showed no significant difference between students who participated in the program and not participate program. This is, however, the overall mean value among students attending the program is slightly higher than students not attending the program indicating that this program is statistically able to improvise students’ skills in the future. Therefore, the empowerment in the implementation of the Vocational Teacher’s Training Program seems crucial so that it could continuously strengthen the communication skills among prospective teachers. Keywords: interpersonal communication skills, program bina insan guru vokasional (bigv), prospective vocational teacher program, teacher training program

The Landscape of Career and Technical Education Faculty Data Use for Decision-Making and Program Improvement in National Science Foundation–Advanced Technical Education Programs in Washington State

Over the last ten years, in Washington community and technical colleges (CTC) there has been a great leap forward in access and use of data for setting and measuring goals, monitoring progress, and identifying equity gaps. Despite much progress, faculty members in career and technical education (CTE) programs still often have difficulty accessing and using data that would drive program improvements. The purpose of this research is to gain knowledge about the current state of affairs surrounding technical education faculty access to and use of student-level data; second, we seek to shed light on the constraints CTE faculty face in accessing and using data for data-informed decision making. Our research revealed much variation in faculty access and use of data, with some creating customized solutions for daily use and others only accessing data for external needs such as accreditation or mandated program review processes. While the need for data may be exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis, faculty report data use on campus has dropped during the crisis and been replaced by immediate concerns over financial health, enrollment and instructional delivery challenges. Rather than continue to advance data-driven decision-making, we may be seeing colleges retrench to past organizational norms and customs.

Effect of the constructivists teaching method, undergraduate students’ statistics self-concept and other psychological constructs in mediating their motivation for learning statistics

This study sought to model the effect of the constructivists teaching method, learners’ statistics self-concept and their psychological constructs (i.e. need for competence, relatedness and autonomy) in mediating undergraduate students’ motivation for learning statistics in a Ghanaian university. The study adopted quantitative approach by using simple random sampling techniques. A sample of 107 students from the Faculties of Technical and Vocational Education of the University of Education, Winneba were given questionnaires to measure how the constructivists teaching method and as well as psychological constructs have mediated their motivation for learning statistics. The data obtained were analysed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to estimate model parameters to answer the research questions and test hypotheses. The study revealed that students’ psychological need for competence, relatedness and autonomy is positively and significantly influenced by the constructivism teaching approach. Moreover, students’ psychological need for relatedness and autonomy positively and significantly affect the students’ statistics self-concept. The results further suggested that students’ statistics self-concept positively and significantly influences students’ motivation to study statistics. The study concluded that the teaching method predicts students’ needs for competence (R2=0.189), relatedness (R2=0.503) and autonomy (R2=0.198). In addition, students psychological need for competence, relatedness and autonomy significantly predict (R2=0.630) students self-concept in statistics. Finally, students’ motivation can be predicted (R2=0.480) by constructivism teaching approach using psychological needs and self-concept as mediating variables.

Effect of the constructivists teaching method, undergraduate students’ statistics self-concept and other psychological constructs in mediating their motivation for learning statistics

This study sought to model the effect of the constructivists teaching method, learners’ statistics self-concept and their psychological constructs (i.e. need for competence, relatedness and autonomy) in mediating undergraduate students’ motivation for learning statistics in a Ghanaian university. The study adopted a quantitative approach by using simple random sampling techniques. A sample of 107 students from the Faculties of Technical and Vocational Education of the University of Education, Winneba were given questionnaires to measure how the constructivists teaching method and as well as psychological constructs have mediated their motivation for learning statistics. The data obtained were analysed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to estimate model parameters to answer the research questions and test hypotheses. The study revealed that students’ psychological need for competence, relatedness and autonomy is positively and significantly influenced by the constructivism teaching approach. Moreover, students’ psychological need for relatedness and autonomy positively and significantly affect the students’ statistics self-concept. The results further suggested that students’ statistics self-concept positively and significantly influences students’ motivation to study statistics. The study concluded that the teaching method predicts students’ needs for competence (R2=0.189), relatedness (R2=0.503) and autonomy (R2=0.198). In addition, students psychological need for competence, relatedness and autonomy significantly predict (R2=0.630) students self-concept in statistics. Finally, students’ motivation can be predicted (R2=0.480) by constructivism teaching approach using psychological needs and self-concept as mediating variables.

Rationale for Material Selection in Landscaping for Checking Intrusion in Public and Private Primary Schools in Nsukka Urban Area of Enugu State, Nigeria

Purpose: The study identified the rationale for material selection in landscaping for checking intrusion in public and private primary schools in Nsukka urban, Enugu state, Nigeria. Methodology/Approach/Design: A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Three research questions guided the study. The population for the study was 102 respondents comprising 82 public/private school teachers and 20 builders. Due to the manageable size of the population, there was no sampling as the entire population was used for the study. The instrument used for data collection was a 25-item questionnaire derived from literature reviewed. The instrument was validated by three experts from the Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Cronbach’s Alpha was used to determine the reliability of the instrument and a reliability coefficient of .85 was obtained. The data collected for this study was analyzed using mean and t-test. Results: The findings revealed some rationale for material selection in landscaping for checking intrusion in public and private primary schools which includes; the durability, maintenance, aesthetic and cost of each landscaping material; the initial and ongoing costs, the availability of the material to be used and the life cycle assessment considerations such as material performance, and impact on the environment and the ability to reuse the material. Practical Implications: The results of the study might be of interest to school principals and builders. The study reflects the common perceptions about landscaping to prevent intrusion into schools, and hence of practical implications to concerned education authorities in Nsukka urban, Nigeria. Originality/Value: The study identified the effects of poor landscaping in public and private primary schools which include; exposure of schools to risk of attacks, theft and exposure of schools to ecological problems such as flooding, erosions, deep gullies and a degrading environment.

ENERGY MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE FOR STUDENTS IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION

Energy demand of a country should be particularly supplied by indigenous energy sources; otherwise, the country would become an energy importing country and dependent on energy-rich countries. In order to benefit from the current renewable energy resources efficiently, many engineers who are specialized on energy management (economic, planning, organization and optimization) are strongly required to be educated with the support of today’s advance technology. In this context, various engineering disciplines associated with the concept of energy have been established in many universities around the world as well as in Turkey. In this study, Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) software which is very useful for modeling renewable and conventional technologies in various energy management applications and also easy to use, is introduced in detail and presented to today’s and future’s energy engineers. In order to better understand how the HOMER is efficiently applied, a real-time application for Marmara University Technical Education Faculty which was discussed and is presented in detail.