An Investigation on the Factors Affecting Teaching Effectiveness of Undergraduate Engineering Programmes

Abstract

Teaching effectiveness has been a key concern for universities since it pertains to the achievements of skills required for the competitive job market. This study aims to identify the factors that might influence teaching effectiveness. For the purpose of the study, data were collected from the seventh semester students of manufacturing engineering programme and product design engineering programme of one university in the northern Peninsular of Malaysia. A structured questionnaire was used and the responses were gathered with a five point Likert Scale. 130 set of questionnaires were collected and were then analysed with partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS SEM) method. The PLS findings revealed that lecturers’ ability, course characteristics and teaching methods & materials are strong predictors of teaching effectiveness. The outcome of this PLS analysis may pave the way for universities to develop new guidelines so as to improve teaching effectiveness. Consequently, this effective teaching will equip the university graduates with the necessary knowledge and skills required by employers.