Improving Study Methods of Computer Engineering Undergraduates in Singapore

Abstract

The Nanyang Technological University admits predominantly two large groups of entrants annually for its computer engineering undergraduate course, namely, junior college graduates with GCE ‘A’ levels and polytechnic graduates with Technician Diplomas. This study is aimed at assessing these engineering undergraduates’ common difficulties and identifying differences in their study processes and habits in order to provide guidelines to help them attain better study methods.

A survey methodology utilising two sets of questionnaires to assess the two dimensions of study processes and study habits was carried out using a sample of 55 undergraduates. On the basis of the results of the study, it was found that contrary to expectations both groups of students are not distinctly different in their study process and habits. The students demonstrated a preference in adopting the surface approach to learning with focus on rote‐learning strategies to minimally meet course requirements. This is contrary to the general trend in higher education that advocates the deep or deep‐achieving approach to learning. In this paper, a framework to reverse such a trend and improve students’ study methods is proposed. It adopts a parallel approach to help students at the individual, small‐group and class level. Through this framework, it should be possible to transform students to adopt a deep‐achievement approach in their learning in order to benefit from the university's education system.