Collaborative learning and student engagement in practical skills acquisition

ABSTRACT

This study examines how collaborative learning (CL) activities might help to improve student engagement in practical skills acquisition (SEPSA). Using a time lagged data from 205 undergraduate students of Nigerian public universities, the direct effect of CL on SEPSA and the mediating effects of task value, mastery goal orientation and performance goal orientation were tested using Hayes-PROCESS Macro 3.5. The regression results indicate that CL associated positively with SEPSA as well as task value and mastery goal orientation, and not for performance goal orientation. However, the mediation analysis suggests that task value and mastery goal orientation mediate CL activities and SEPSA. Our findings highlight the important potentials of CL for increasing SEPSA. The present study has implications for higher education teachers and administrators, educators, policymakers, students and researchers who are in search of effective strategies for improving student engagement in practical skills acquisition and learning.

KEYWORDS:

• Collaborative learning
• task value
• goal orientation
• student engagement
• skills acquisition

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ugochukwu Chinonso Okolie

Ugochukwu Chinonso Okolie is a lecturer in the Department of Vocational and Technical Education, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Nigeria. He has published in top tier journals such as Higher Education Research & Development, Industry and Higher Education, Education + Training, Journal of Vocational Education & Training, International Journal of Management Education covering areas such as skill development, teaching and learning, career development and employability. Okolie’s research works can be found at www.ucokolie.com.ng

Sunday Mlanga

Sunday Mlanga is a lecturer in the Department of Accounting, Banking and Finance, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Nigeria. His area of research interests includes taxation, and financial management.

David Oluseyi Oyerinde

David Oluseyi Oyerinde is a lecturer is a lecturer in the Department of Vocational and Technical Education, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.

Nathaniel Oladele Olaniyi

Nathaniel Oladele Olaniyi is a lecturer in the Department of Vocational and Technical Education, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.

Marcel Ezemoyih Chucks

Marcel Ezemoyih Chucks is a lecturer in the Department of Vocational and Technical Education, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Nigeria. His area of research interests includes human resource management.