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Copyright © 2015 American Scientific Publishers Advanced Science Letters
All rights reserved Vol.23, 1104-1108, 2017
Printed in the United States of America
A Survey of Technology Enabled Active Learning in
Teaching and Learning Practices to Enhance the Quality of
Engineering Students
Nur Farha Hassan1, Saifullizam Puteh 2
1 Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia,
86400 Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia.
In this study, a survey was carried out on the use of Technology Enabled Active Learning (TEAL) in teaching and learning
practices to enhance the quality of engineering students. TEAL is one of the new learning formats that involve the use of
simulations, hands-on experiments and lectures in the curriculum or learning process; a variety of technologies are applied to
achieve learning goals. The application of TEAL encompasses five elements, namely: online learning, hands-on experiment,
blended learning, collaborative learning and lab activities. This study implemented TEAL in practicing teaching and learning
technology, pedagogy and content (TPACK) to enhance the quality and employability of engineering students through the
improved curriculum of education. With the help of technologies in the learning process, students are poised to meet the need
of the industry as professionals and excellent workers upon their graduation. For this purpose, final year students in the
course of Bachelor of Engineering at Technical University Network (MTUN), a leading technical university network
specialising in technological skills, were involved in this study. In this survey of TEAL, quantitative research methods were
used to collect the relevant data.
Keywords: Technology enabled Active Learning (TEAL), Technology, pedagogy and content knowledge (TPACK)
1. INTRODUCTION
Rapid development of technology in Malaysia has led to
high economic growth rate every year. Indirectly, the
education sector in this country has also gone through
transformation in terms of teaching and learning methods;
technological innovations are utilised to improve the
curriculum of engineering courses which in turn produces
quality graduates who meet the requirements of
institutional, industrial and economic developments1. The
main goal of this transformation is to make Malaysia a
centre for academic excellence by the year 2020, in the
Asian region and internationally.
To achieve this goal, the education system today needs
to apply technological innovation in the teaching, which
will empower students to think creatively, critically,
innovatively and intelligently; they will be equipped with
the necessary technological skills to solve problems and
communicate effectively2. A lot of research studies have
been conducted on the learning technology innovation
methods that can help to improve the education system3.
One of the many technology learning methods in
education is the technology enabled active learning
(TEAL).
The TEAL method was first introduced in education a
few years ago. This technological innovation learning was
used for the first time at the University of MIT in 2001 by
John Belcher for enhancing the quality of students, where
students learnt in an active environment with
opportunities to use technology for better understanding
*Email Address: hb140185@siswa.uthm.edu.my
of and testing what they had learnt; they could also use
calculation and figure drawings if they needed to explore
new concepts in learning or experiments to generate
experience 4.
TEAL is one of the new learning formats. With this
concept of learning, students can use technology elements
of simulations, hands-on experience and lectures in their
learning, apart from using technological devices such as
multimedia, information and communication technology
(ICT), audio, visual and animation or 3D images5. The
approach was used to implement the TEAL format to
enhance the quality of students for creativity and
innovativeness in applying technological innovations to
produce active learning in teaching and learning
activities2, 18.
This learning is about the innovative learning method
that uses a variety of electronic media, software and ICT
for simulations and visualisation designs, which aim to
establish students in learning science and technology6.
The practice of teaching and learning needs technology,
pedagogy and content knowledge (TPACK)7 in the TEAL
process. This is to raise the quality level of learning
curriculum, where technology is used in content learning
and pedagogy is employed to help teachers in making
students understand any concept in all subjects taught in
class.
Thus, TPACK is important for achieving success in the
transformation of technology education and realise the
TEAL concept. The main idea of implementing the
practice of TPACK is to produce a new generation of
graduates with high levels of knowledge, skills,
2
employability, productivity, creativity and innovative
ideas, as there is a serious need for TVE graduates to be
able to generate intellectual capital in the technology
global environment 8. Quality of education needs to be
implemented in technical and vocational (TVE) to help
students to become more skilful in various fields9.
Thus, TEAL should be practised in all institutions,
especially in technical and vocational establishments as
this will produce an effective curriculum of learning in
the education system which shapes students to possess
high levels of technology, pedagogy and content
knowledge, as well as become competent professional
workers in various industrial fields10. The TEAL method
not only trains a student to be a good worker, it also helps
him or her to set the life goals in an effective way11. This
concept benefits students in creating experience with the
use of technology to improve their performance and hone
skills in the future8. Although there are many challenges
in starting the TEAL concept in the education system, it is
an important component to ensure the quality of students
in the future.
The paper is organised in the following manner:
Section 2 gives the definitions of TEAL and TPACK
practice in general; Section 3 describes the elements of
TEAL; Section 4 discusses the active learning practices of
TPACK; Section 5 elaborates the quality of students
through the TEAL method; Section 6 elaborates on the
conceptual framework, and finally, the last section
summarises the work of this paper.
2. DEFINITION OF TEAL AND TPACK PRACTICE
The application of TEAL can be defined as a method of
technology innovation learning, through which a course
instructor combines laboratory and simulation technology
and explanations as a practice of learning styles in an
institution of higher education9. TEAL is an innovative
format of learning process which applies media rich
technology to help students to understand visualization
and simulation concepts in their studies. The TEAL
method transforms the process of education goals setting
and planning of a new environment and structures it into a
better curriculum learning process which provides TVE
students with a comfortable atmosphere for their studies6.
This comfortable learning environment allows students
to build extensive knowledge and become creative and
innovative in their thinking by using technology to gain
accurate information in their studies6. The thing that
needs to be emphasised is the use technology in
education, even though it incurs high costs in the
preparation of technology equipment that helps students
to generate ideas on designing, creating and acquiring
more knowledge in interesting exploration; this will
improve the students' progress with the help the higher-
quality curriculum in teaching and learning process12.
The practice of TPACK is used for the content
of TEAL interactive learning; it requires the addition of
technology in learning content and pedagogy in the
domain of learning that can help to enhance the quality of
learning and employable skills in TVE graduates7. The
practice of TPACK is essential to achieve success in the
transformation of education as this will help graduates to
improve acquisition of knowledge, employable skills,
productivity, creativity and innovative ideas, intellectual
capital, innovation and technology8. This practice is
important to maintain a high-quality education system in
the engineering field, which will help students to be
skilful individuals in various fields. In order to become
better students, the students themselves must apply
technology, pedagogy and content in their own
education13.
3. ELEMENTS APPLICATION OF TEAL
The application of TEAL in learning process involves five
main elements to implement the concept of this
innovative learning. According to 6,12,14,15, there are five
main components of TEAL chosen to build the
characteristics of TVE students: effective lessons in
online learning, hands-on experiment, blended learning,
collaborative learning, and lab activities. These
components need to be applied in the learning process
and the concept of technology innovation includes hands-
on skills and simulations of the real industry to improve
the quality of graduates. In this way, institutions of higher
learning will produce individuals of high market value
who will contribute positively to the national economy in
the future10.
The first element is online learning. This approach is
applied using the internet to help students acquire
information more easily. Students can choose content of
learning and related topics any time and from anywhere;
they can review them outside the campus at their own
convenient time16. Online learning is essential to produce
independent students who search learning information by
using internet technologies, web, e-learning, etc. Hence,
online learning is an effective method that helps students
acquire and build new knowledge based on content
of education17.
The second element is hands-on experiment. This skill
uses technology for displaying an invisible concept with
3D simulations and visualisation applications. This
procedure provides an avenue for students to explore,
understand and learn a new concept more clearly and
effectively as it helps students build practical experiences
in an active learning environment using technology15. The
design of hands-on experiment is important to
incorporate lessons by demonstrating a concept closely to
students with the use of technological tools19.
The third element is blended learning. This approach
combines the face-to-face method with online learning. It
creates experiences in learning activities of content
through the integrated technology of information and
communication (ICT) to produce an optimal learning
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outcome with an effective educational purpose20. This
learning method presents an opportunity for students to
integrate the technological and innovative advances in
online learning with the digital materials to support face-
to-face instruction by using an ICT device 21.
The fourth element is collaborative learning, which
involves students working in groups to find solutions,
create products and understand concepts by using the
power of technology processes and a developed
curriculum22. Students are enabled to collaborate in their
own settings and environments so as to build on their
learning through group discussions, sharing of views and
explanation of a concept to each other, which can foster
cooperation and strong team spirit 23.
The fifth element is lab activity. This is a practice in
the learning process that can help students connect the
concepts they learn in class with real-world situations
through the ICT equipment such as Power Point, white
board, projector and other tools. By explaining the
concepts in sessions of lab activities, students also can
build technical skills in handling technology tools in the
future6, 24. The aim of lab activities is to give students
more effective learning. The content of lab activities
must incorporate technology tools that consistently give
students opportunities to conduct lab activities in their
lessons; in this way, students will better understand what
they learn in learning sessions22.
Thus, to produce quality education, students need to
follow all of the TEAL elements. This study used five
elements to prepare students to become more skilful in
technology and develop creative thinking after they are
involved in active learning approach. Each element has its
own requirements to improve students’ performance in
education, especially in relation to the quality and
employability skills of students to face the global
environment in technology learning and have the
experience of handling powerful technology in the
future1,8. If this procedure is not implemented, the
learning process will not run smoothly because students
are not given the opportunity to explore the use of
technology in gaining knowledge, skills and experience
on their own25.
4. TPACK IN ACTIVE LEARNING PRACTICES
Implementers of TPACK in active learning practices
include the conceptual technology to enhance curriculum
of teaching and learning through exploration and
interaction. This is to increase the content knowledge as
the subjects to teach knowledge of technology such as
computers, the Internet, video, digital and other
knowledge; it also includes pedagogy such as the
practices, processes, strategies, ways and methods of
teaching and learning to increase students’ learning13. As
a model of teaching and learning, active learning is the
concept of TPACK which should be practiced in
education. It can build and improve the knowledge of
technologies, which in turn improves the learning
curriculum by using technology, sophisticated machinery
and technical equipment to gain understanding,
knowledge and handling skills26.
Teaching and learning process oriented applications of
technology can help students to improve their hands-on
skills and build experience of working in groups which
will improve the quality and performance of learning
and lessons27. In this study, researchers focused on three
parts of TPACK, namely, technology, pedagogical and
content knowledge to enhance the quality of learning,
employment and economic development of students.
Firstly, based on technology knowledge, students learn to
use ICT equipment and software, as well as appropriate
digital equipment which result in effective learning28.
Technology is used to help students’ learning; this
technology can also open the mind of and attract students
to learn actively and find information, which helps them
understand a concept learnt quickly and in detail24.
Pedagogical knowledge refers to the process and
methods of teaching and practice; it also covers in-
depth knowledge of teaching and learning that includes
the overall learning to provide the actual purposes of an
education system such as values, vision, mission,
objectives and goals of learning7. Pedagogical knowledge
can provide exposure to students about the need to teach a
subject, and this will give them the necessary knowledge
and skills for better understanding of the benefits and
concepts in the educational system; this will further help
students to establish an effective learning process29.
Meanwhile, content knowledge is about what students
need to learn from the learning content; they consider and
choose the right learning materials based on their
lessons30. Generated Content knowledge is important as it
enables students to acquire knowledge of theories,
concepts and procedures in the field of services; this
makes learning much easier for students involved in
planning, evaluating and generating ideas, and they can
explain a lesson with strong evidence to support the
learning contents that can be used to improve the quality
of learning7.
Thus, all the elements of TPACK practices must be
applied in active learning so as to produce quality
graduates. In addition, students are competent enough to
choose the right technology they can use to find
information and improve their academic performance25.
5. PRODUCE TEAL FOR QUALITY OF STUDENTS
Nowadays, technology is the focus in implementing
innovation in education fields, especially ICT, digital
tools, electronic devices, software and etc. These
technologies are needed to provide opportunities and
experiences to students in creating new knowledge and
improving work skills. They are particularly relevant to
engineering students, particularly in teaching and learning
sessions which can increase their confidence and
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enthusiasm to take part in sharing ideas and improving
their learning performance 31.
Using technology is important in learning interaction
with knowledge content, pedagogy and technology that
can improve the quality of learning. In particular,
technology is required in learning content and pedagogy
to form a domain of learning that can enhance the quality
of graduates, employable skills and economic value7. This
means technology needs to be applied in education to
improve the performance of students in education and
skills as these are directly related to the quality of
students, to enable them to face an increasingly
competitive global environment and to be better
candidates for future careers1. This learning concept is
important to change a passive learning environment
which does not encourage creative and innovative
thinking, where students are less interested in sharing
ideas during the teaching and learning process2.
The concept of TEAL needs to be applied in
educational development to generate creative and
innovative thinking among students, as well as improve
their quality. The application will create an active learning
opportunity through the use technology tools which will
prepare the students to enter the real working world in the
future2.
This study is anchored to the idea of improving
the quality of TVE graduates, which includes matters that
will transform the education system and how TVE
students can acquire relevant skills to meet the industrial
needs. We have high hopes that students trained with the
TEAL application will graduate as competent and skilful
workers who meet the staffing requirements of the
nation15.
Nonetheless, one important challenge for developing
this learning concept is the need to have technology tools
for creating the new academic environment. Past research
has shown that the application of TEAL is often
associated with academic achievement and academic
adjustment. The application of TEAL in teaching and
learning sessions is important to use because it can create
an active learning environment that stimulates generation
of new ideas, creative and innovative thinking2. Students
also experience improvements in hands-on skills with the
use of technology in the learning process. Students are
taught that using TEAL in learning will help them deepen
their understanding of study materials and gain practical
experiences; in other words, they will be successful
learners24, 31.
According to 24, several studies conducted with the use
of quantitative methods to investigate technology enabled
active learning in higher education fields revealed that
students achieved a better understanding of their learning,
were more active in class, and gained more experience in
using technology which had positive effects on their
studies. They believe that active learning concepts based
on technology is especially important in the social field,
interactive technology, and the culture of knowledge
sharing and learning in developing process experience 31.
This type of learning can help improve teaching and
learning methods. It will result in more effective
innovations using technology to create an active learning
environment. The benefits obtained from using
technology are many; these include shifting passive
lectures to active lessons, increasing students’
understanding of concepts and analysis of concepts and
phenomenon in education, and improving students’
visualisation skills32.
6. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
The conceptual framework for this research is divided
into four sections of input, process, output and new
modernisation. The conceptual framework includes the
application of technology enabled active learning. Firstly,
input section is about technology enabled active learning
style that consists of five elements of online learning,
hands-on experiments, blended learning, collaborative
learning and lab activities. The format of this study is the
concept of learning approach involving lectures,
simulations and hands-on handling of technology
innovation to develop graduates who are knowledgeable
and able to apply technology skills in the future to fulfil
requirements of the industry. The process of this study
includes the practices of teaching and learning
technology, pedagogy and content.
This practice is used to implement the concept of
technology enabled active learning that enhances the
quality of students’ learning. Meanwhile, the output of the
conceptual framework is to enhance quality of TVET
graduates to become skilful and professional workers in
technology in the future. The final part of the new
modernisation is to achieve transformations of Malaysia’s
Education Blueprint (Higher Education) 2015-2025,
which provides 10 shifts of study to change the current
education system to be more effective and excellent1. This
study refers to shift 4 (the quality of TVET graduates),
which will be supported by shift 9 (the global level of
online learning) to enhance the quality of teaching and
learning in the education system1. This factor is important
to produce students with good quality so as to develop
quality in education, increase employability skills and
develop nation’s economy.
Figure 1: Conceptual Framework
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7. CONCLUSION
In summary, the survey of TEAL reveals that it impacts
on students’ achievement positively. It helps students to
better understand learning concept in class to create
employable skills and gives experiences in the use of
technology7. This application can be defined as a new
learning process; students are in control of their own
learning process and they achieve learning objectives by
using technology tools3. The TEAL approach in this study
is a formula with five elements of online learning, hands-
on experiment, blended learning, collaborative learning,
and lab activities. This study focuses on technology
enabled active learning (TEAL) with practical
applications in teaching and learning technology,
pedagogy and content (TPACK) to help transform the
education system in general and raise the quality level
of engineering students in particular.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This research was supported by the scholarship of the
Ministry of Higher Education (Mybrain15) and Universiti
Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia.
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