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The Relationship between Learning Outcomes and Graduate Competences: The Chain-Mediating Roles of Project-Based Learning and Assessment Strategies

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  • Ming Li

    (School of International Education, Jiangsu Maritime Institute, Nanjing 211170, China
    National Higher Education Research Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Penang, Malaysia)

  • Mohd Isa Rohayati

    (National Higher Education Research Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Penang, Malaysia)

Abstract

Addressing the skill gap between labor market requirements and graduate readiness is crucial for the sustainable development of China’s vocational education system. This study investigated how outcome-based education (OBE) influences the attainment of graduate competence in China’s higher vocational education system, using the theory of Constructive Alignment (CA) as its foundation. The OBE model incorporates intended learning outcomes, project-based learning, and assessment strategies to ensure graduate competence aligns with professional sustainability practices. This study assessed the impact of intended learning outcomes, project-based learning, and assessment strategies on graduate competence attainment through surveys administered to 320 Cross-border E-commerce learners in April 2024, resulting in 301 usable responses. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 24.0. The results indicated that project-based learning and assessment strategies were directly and positively related to graduate competency attainment, while intended learning outcomes were indirectly associated with graduate competence through the mediating roles of project-based learning and assessment strategies. Assessment strategies had the most significant mediating effect, followed by project-based learning and the combined mediating effect. These findings advance the theoretical understanding of OBE and provide methods for promoting sustainability in vocational education. Beneficiaries include educators, policymakers, and accreditation bodies, who can use these insights to implement sustainable educational practices and ensure graduates contribute to sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Ming Li & Mohd Isa Rohayati, 2024. "The Relationship between Learning Outcomes and Graduate Competences: The Chain-Mediating Roles of Project-Based Learning and Assessment Strategies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-25, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:14:p:6080-:d:1436395
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mohammed Abdullatif Almulla, 2020. "The Effectiveness of the Project-Based Learning (PBL) Approach as a Way to Engage Students in Learning," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(3), pages 21582440209, July.
    2. Rodrigo Lozano & Maria Barreiro-Gen & Francisco J. Lozano & Kaisu Sammalisto, 2019. "Teaching Sustainability in European Higher Education Institutions: Assessing the Connections between Competences and Pedagogical Approaches," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-17, March.
    3. Preeti Jaiswal, 2019. "Using Constructive Alignment to Foster Teaching Learning Processes," English Language Teaching, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 12(6), pages 1-10, June.
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