Assessing transformative learning outcomes of a First-Year Engineering Program using TROPOS (Full Paper)

Transformative learning methods aim to equip students with the necessary skills to address 21stcentury challenges by altering their habits of minds and frames of references.This paper explored the extent of transformative learning experiences in a first-year engineering program at a midwestern (USA) institution.The study employed two instruments to assess transformative learning: the Learning Activity Survey (LAS) and the Transformative Outcomes and Processes Scale (TROPOS).The LAS assessed whether and to what extent the first-year engineering experience has led to a perspective transformation in the students.TROPOS evaluated students' overall transformative learning outcome, focusing on four subscales: social support, attitude towards uncertainty, criticality, and transformative outcomes.Analysis of the LAS data facilitated the categorization of students into four distinct transformation categories.The study correlated these categories with the TROPOS subscales and examines demographic factors.Findings indicate higher TROPOS scores for first-generation students and female students compared to their peers.