Influence of Cognitive Ability in Mathematics on Electrical and Electronic Engineering Education Theodore Oduro-Okyireh (a), Budi Mulyanti (b), Dedi Rohendi (c), Alice Constance Mensah (d)
(a)(b)(c)Technology and Vocational Education Study Program, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia
(d)Department of Mathematic and Statistics, Accra Technical University, Ghana
Abstract
Abstract
As the field of electrical and electronic engineering continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, it is crucial to investigate the underlying factors that contribute to successful education and professional development in this domain. In this article, we delve into the often-overlooked aspect of the Bloom cognitive levels and their influence on the learning outcomes of aspiring electrical and electronic engineers. The aim of this paper is to examine the novel cognitive responses in mathematics to the achievement of electrical and electronic engineering education among Ghanian Technical Universities. The research employed a quantitative approach, utilizing random cluster sampling to select 488 final year students from four technical universities in Ghana. The students^ cognitive strengths in various areas of mathematics, including algebra, functions, trigonometry and complex numbers, calculus and differential equations, and probability, were assessed through a mathematics achievement test. The data collected was analyzed using IBM AMOS version 26. The findings revealed a significant positive influence of cognitive ability on achievement in electrical and electronic engineering education. The study found satisfactory application skills in mathematics among electrical and electronic engineering students but highlighted a deficiency in higher-order thinking skills. Cognitive ability in mathematics explains only 54.6% of their achievements in engineering, emphasizing the need for practical applications in the curriculum. Implementing effective pedagogic approaches such as Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) can improve critical thinking and hence overall cognitive ability.
