The relationship between perceived instrumentality, interest and transformative experiences in online engineering

Benjamin C. Heddy, Katherine G. Nelson, Jenefer Husman, Katherine C. Cheng, Jacqueline A. Goldman, John B. Chancey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Our aim was to explore the usefulness of Use, Change, Value (UCV) discussions to facilitate Transformative Experiences (TE) in online engineering courses. We investigated the predictive relationship between perceived instrumentality (PI) and interest on TE. We also investigated gender differences in the predictive relationships between the variables. In a quasi-experimental study with 74 students, we investigated two teaching approaches (UCV discussions and traditional) on TE, PI, and interest. Students’ interest positively predicted higher TE in both groups, however, PI did not predict TE in the treatment. Interest and PI predicted TE in the control. Furthermore, male students TE was predicted by PI and interest, whereas female students TE was predicted by interest but not PI. PI is only a predictor of TE in female students and students who do not receive the intervention, suggesting that TE may generate an in the moment instrumentality experience, while PI is future-oriented.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)63-78
Number of pages16
JournalEducational Psychology
Volume41
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Transformative experience
  • engineering education
  • interest
  • online instruction
  • perceived instrumentality

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Education
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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