Blending a sweet pill to swallow with TRIZ and industry talks for enhanced learning during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Main Authors: Ng P.K., Koo V.C., Ng Y.J., Yeow J.A.
• Other Authors: 36835757300
• Format: Article
• Published: IOS Press BV 2024
• Subjects: 21st century abilities; Distance education and online learning; improving classroom teaching; lifelong learning; teaching/learning strategies; Blending; Computer aided instruction; COVID-19; E-learning; Motivation; Teaching; 21st century ability; Blended learning; Cognitive presence; Improving classroom teaching; Learning motivation; Life long learning; Online learning; Social presence; Teaching/learning strategy; Students

BACKGROUND: While studies have investigated relationships among learning motivation, social presence, and cognitive presence, there appear to be no studies on the inclusion of industry talks and the theory of inventive problem-solving (TRIZ) in strengthening engineering students' learning motivation, social presence, and cognitive presence within a blended learning setting. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the influence of industry talks and TRIZ on learning motivation, social presence, and cognitive presence in a blended learning environment. METHODS: Data samples were obtained from 98 engineering students in a blended learning course and analysed using Spearman's correlation test, regression, ANOVA, and t-test. RESULTS: Findings suggested that TRIZ and industry talks strongly, positively, and significantly correlated with learning motivation, social presence, and cognitive presence. A well-rounded learning experience compounded of TRIZ and industry talks significantly affected learning motivation, social presence, and cognitive presence, thereby enhancing students' programme outcome (PO) achievement. CONCLUSIONS: These findings can be attributed to the students' independent learning capabilities with TRIZ and industry talks. Analogically, embracing TRIZ and industry talks helps turn blended learning into a 'sweet instead of bitter pill to swallow' for engineering students in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. � 2023 - IOS Press. All rights reserved.