The Influence of Critical Thinking, Collaborative Skills on Learning Outcomes of Sensor and Actuator Competency of Electrical Engineering Collegers in Indonesia

Abstract

Critical thinking is a competency essential for collegians in both personal and professional contexts. For this reason, universities should integrate it effectively into their curricula, programs, and courses. Collaboration is a key factor in advancing both educational theory and technology. This study examines how critical thinking and collaboration skills influence the learning outcomes of electrical engineering collegers in Indonesia when applied through Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and Project-Based Learning (PjBL). The research involved colleagues from five universities in Surabaya, with a specific focus on competencies related to sensors and actuators. Data were collected through questionnaires and written tests, then analyzed using SEM-PLS, employing path analysis and bootstrap methods to assess direct and indirect effects. The results indicate that critical thinking, mediated through collaboration, can improve collegers’ abilities by 26.3% in the cognitive domain and 16.4% in the affective domain. Furthermore, critical thinking directly impacts cognitive and psychomotor learning outcomes, while indirectly influencing psychomotor outcomes through collaboration. These findings highlight the importance of fostering critical thinking and collaborative skills to enhance learning outcomes in engineering education.