Exploring Student Experiences and the Perceived Impacts of Experiential Learning in the Appreciation of Ethics and Civilisation Course: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Experiential Learning Theory (ELT) suggests that meaningful learning is acquired through active engagement in a venture. The notion is based on the idea of 'learning via doing', a method of learning through direct experience. Concerns about employability and skill gaps among graduates, the need for 21st-century capabilities, and the focus on learner-centered education have made ELT theory a fundamental component of educational approaches in many disciplines of knowledge. The development of General Subjects (MPU) courses in Malaysian higher education necessitates the use of diverse teaching methods to achieve the objectives of the MPU course, which aim to improve affective skills. The objective of this research is to explore the experiences of students involved in experiential learning activities in the MPU course and the impact of these activities on their values, ethical reasoning, and interpersonal skills. Open-ended questionnaires were distributed to 589 students who have registered for the Penghayatan Etika dan Peradaban (PEP) or Appreciation of Ethics and Civilisation course at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis, which identifies patterns, significance, and themes from the students’ open-ended responses. The study indicated that the teaching and learning methodologies based on ELT provide changes in the thinking, reflection, learning experience and appreciation of ethics and civilisation.