Factors Influencing the Improvement of Students’ Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skill: An Industrial Training Intervention

Authors

  • Shazaitul Azreen Rodzalan Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia
  • Noor Nazihah Mohd Noor Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia
  • Lily Suriani Mohd Arif Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) 81310 Skudai, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
  • Maisarah Mohamed Saat Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) 81310 Skudai, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v15i22.16303

Keywords:

critical thinking, problem solving, skill, industrial training, university students

Abstract


Critical thinking and problem solving skill is important for university students to increase their chances of securing a work placement. One way to improve this skill is believed through experiences gained from an industrial training. This study aims to investigate the impact of industrial training on the improvement of students’ critical thinking and problem solving skill. Further, it aims to explore the influence of selected factors on this skill improvement. These selected factors are demographic profiles of students, supervisors and organization, students’ motivation, job scope, supervisor leadership styles and organizational culture. The study adapted Belbin Team Role Self-Perception Inventory as the research instrument of the re-search. A total of 1,227 students and 485 students from six public universities in Malaysia, have completed the pre survey and post survey respectively. Using paired t-test analysis, result exhibited that students’ shown improvement in their critical thinking and problem solving upon completion of their industrial training. The results also exhibited that this skill improvement is best predicted when students performed independence job scope, being supervised by male supervisor and the supervisor and when the supervisors exercise transformational leadership styles. Some practical and empirical implications were drawn from the findings of this study.

Author Biography

Shazaitul Azreen Rodzalan, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia

Department of Management and Technology

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Published

2020-11-30

How to Cite

Rodzalan, S. A., Mohd Noor, N. N., Mohd Arif, L. S., & Mohamed Saat, M. (2020). Factors Influencing the Improvement of Students’ Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skill: An Industrial Training Intervention. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 15(22), pp. 134–145. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v15i22.16303

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 22 (2020)

Section

Papers

License

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