Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skill Development: A Study in Malaysian Public Universities

  • Authors

    • Shazaitul Azreen Rodzalan
    • Maisarah Mohamed Saat
    • Lily Suriani Mohd Arif
    https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i3.35.29462
  • Critical thinking, problem solving, Malaysian undergraduate students.
  • Abstract

    One critical measure to be hired at the workplace is the ability to think critically in problem solving. As future human capital, university graduates are urged to meet with this expectation. Hence, taking this expectation into consideration, this study aims to examine students’ critical thinking and problem solving skill development before and after they undergoing the industrial training. The study also aims to examine whether the problem solving skill’s development is influenced by supervisors’ leadership styles. This study is longitudinal. A total of 1227 students and 485 students completed the pre survey and post survey respectively. The questionnaire used consists of items adapted from Belbin thinking roles and leadership items based on Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ). Result revealed that there is a significant improvement in students’ critical thinking and problem solving skill after undergoing their industrial training. The findings of this study provide some practical and empirical implications.

     

  • References

    1. [1] Ayres, J. & Malouff, J. M. 2007. Problem-Solving Training to Help Workers Increase Positive Affect, Job Satisfaction, and Life Satisfaction. European Journal of Work and Organisational Psychology, 16(3): 279-294.

      [2] Bass, B. M. 1985. Leadership and Performance Beyond Expectations. New York: The Free Press.

      [3] Bass, B. M., Avolio, B. J., Jung, D. I. & Berson, Y. 2003. Predicting Unit Performance by Assessing Transformational and Transactional Leadership. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(2): 207-218.

      [4] Bass, B. M. & Riggio, R. E. 2006. Transformational Leadership. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

      [5] Belbin, R. M. 2013. Method, Reliability & Validity, Statistics & Research: A Comprehensive Review of Belbin Team Roles. Retrieved 1 October 2014, from www.belbin.com

      [6] Cheong H., Ann T. & Hoong C. L. 2005. Fostering Critical Thinking in a Primary School (Final Research REP. No. 32-03).Singapore: National Institute of Education.

      [7] Forgarty, R. & McTighe, J. 1993. Educating Teachers for Higher Ordering Thinking: The Three-Story Intellect. Theory into Practice, 32(3): 161-169.

      [8] Ganapathy, M. & Kaur, S. 2014. ESL Students’ Perceptions of the use of Higher Order Thinking Skills in English Language Writing. Advances in Language and Literary Studies, 5(5): 80-87.

      [9] Haller, C., Fisher, R. & Gapp, R. 2007. Reflection as a Means of Understanding: Ways in Which Confucian Heritage Students Learn and Understand Organisational Behaviour. Multicultural Education & Technology Journal, 1(1): 6-24.

      [10] Herrington, J. & Oliver, R. 2000. An Instructional Design Framework for Authentic Learning Environments. Educational Technology, Research and Development, 48(3): 23-48.

      [11] Herzberg, F., Mausner, B. & Snyderman, B. 1959. The Motivation to Work. New York, NY: Wiley.

      [12] Hinkin, T. R. & Tracey, J. B. 1999. The Relevance of Charisma for Transformational Leadership in Stable Organisations. Journal of Organisational Change Management, 12(2): 105-119.

      [13] Kark, R., Shamir, B. & Chen, G. 2003. The Two Faces of Transformational Leadership: Empowerment and Dependency. Journal of Applied Psychology, 38(2): 246-255.

      [14] King, F. J., Goodson, L. & Rohani, F. 1998. Higher Order Thinking Skills • Definition • Teaching Strategies • Assessment. Retrieved on January 14, 2016, from http://www.cala.fsu.edu/files/higher_order_thinking_skills.pdf

      [15] Kitchenham, A. 2008. The Evolution of John Mezirow's Transformative Learning Theory. Journal of Transformative Education, 6(2): 104-123.

      [16] Konting M. M, Faryanti N, K., Azirawani N., Adam A. & Abdullah S.N. 2007. Evaluation Skills among the Students [Monograph]. Teach and Teaching.

      [17] Landrum, N. E., Howell, J. P. & Paris, L. 2000. Leadership for Strategic Change. Leadership & Organisation Development Journal, 21(3): 150-156.

      [18] ManpowerGroup. 2012. 2012 Talent Shortage Survey. Retrieved June 4, 2013, from http://www.manpowergroup.us/campaigns/talent-shortage-2012/pdf/2012_Talent_Shortage_Survey_Results_US_FINALFINAL.pdf

      [19] Nabi, F. 2013. Management Students’ Self-perception towards their Employability Skills-A Pre and Post Soft Skills Training Analysis. International Research Journal of Business and Management. IV, 1-12.

      [20] Othman, H., Salleh, B. M., al-Edrus, S. M. D. & Sulaiman, A. 2008. Perlaksanaan Pendekatan Pembelajaran Berasaskan Pengalaman (PBL Dan POPBL) bagi Meningkatkan Kemahiran Insaniah Pelajar.

      [21] Purcell, K., Rainie, L., Heaps, A., Buchanan, J., Friedrich, L., Jacklin, A., et al. 2012. How Teens Do Research in the Digital World: Pew Reseacrh Center.

      [22] Rajendran, N. S. 2008. Teaching and Acquiring Higher-Order Thinking Skills Theory & Practice. Penerbit Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris: Tanjong Malim Perak.

      [23] Rohaeti, E.E. 2010. Critical and Creative Mathematical Thinking of Junior High School Student. Educationist Journal, 4(2): 99-106.

      [24] Ross, J. & Gray, P. 2006. School Leadership and student achievement: The mediating effects of teacher beliefs. Canadian Journal of Education, 29(3): 798-822.

      [25] Shariff, S. M. & Muhamad, M. 2010. Learning in an Industrial Practicum Training Program: A Case Study in a Public University in Malaysia. World Applied Sciences Journal, 11(11): 1361-1368.

      [26] Schafersman, S. D. 1991. An Introduction to Critical Thinking. Retrieved 9 March 2013, from http://facultycenter.ischool.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Critical-Thinking.pdf

      [27]Shakirova, D. M. 2007. Technology for the Shaping of College Students’ and Upper-Grade Students’ Critical Thinking. Russian Education & Society, 49(9): 42-52.

      [28]Smith, K., Clegg, S., Lawrence, E. & Todd, M. J. 2007. The Challenges of Reflection: Students Learning from Work Placements. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 44(2): 131-141.

      [29]Trottier, T., Van Wart, M. & Wang, X. 2008. Examining the Nature and Significance of Leadership in Government Organisations. Public Administration Review, 68(2): 319-333.

      [30]Wasonga, T. A. & Murphy, J. F. 2006. Learning from Tacit Knowledge: The Impact of the Internship. International Journal of Educational Management, 20(2): 153-163.

  • Downloads

  • How to Cite

    Azreen Rodzalan, S., Mohamed Saat, M., & Suriani Mohd Arif, L. (2018). Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skill Development: A Study in Malaysian Public Universities. International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7(3.35), 272-275. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i3.35.29462

    Received date: 2019-06-09

    Accepted date: 2019-06-09