Investigating How a Technology-Enhanced, Systems Thinking-Oriented Engineering Course Influences Students’ Attitudes Towards Design and Technology

Bibliographic Data

ID22044671
AuthorsBrina Kurent (0009-0004-3350-7593, University of Ljubljana, corresponding author), Stanislav Avsec (0000-0002-0487-8115, University of Ljubljana)
Year2025
Volume15
Issue9
Pages1256
Publication date2025-09-19
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEducation Sciences (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-7102 • E-ISSN: 2227-7102
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/educsci15091256
OpenAlexW4414349333
LanguageEN
References cited26

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in students’ attitudes towards design and technology in different Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-based learning environments for technical and engineering subjects. Students’ positive attitudes towards the subject can promote deeper knowledge transfer and reduce anxiety about technology. Teachers who have a positive attitude towards the subject tend to promote a high-quality learning process. A total of 44 students participated in this study, with the experimental group and the control group each consisting of 22 students. For this study, we used a quasi-experimental research design with pre- and post-tests and a control variable for ICT engagement. The results suggest that the technology-enhanced systems thinking approach has significant effects on perceptions of the difficulty of technology and engineering differences in students’ attitudes towards design and technology, while perceived autonomy in ICT use can increase motivation and engagement. Feeling competent in ICT use may increase perceived interest, awareness, and aspirations for design and technology and reduce tediousness and gender differences in technology and engineering

Anxiety · Autonomy · Engineering education · Feeling · Information and Communications Technology · Information technology · Perception · Technology integration · Design Education and Practice · Engineering Education and Curriculum Development · Mechatronics Education and Applications

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Open DOIOpen Access