Evaluating Outcomes-Based Education and Student-Centred Learning through Continuous Quality Improvement:
Comparative Cohort Study in Undergraduate Physics Education
Keywords:
continuous quality improvement, curriculum alignment, higher education Malaysia, physics education, student-centred learningAbstract
This study presents Course Delivery Learning Continuous Quality Improvement (CDL-CQI) data from four Photovoltaic Energy Systems (PHY555) cohorts (2022–2025) at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam to evaluate the longitudinal implementation of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) and Student-Centred Learning (SCL) at the course level. Academic performance indicators, student perception measures, and structured lecturer self-evaluations were analysed to examine how pedagogical practice, student learning behaviours, and curriculum alignment influence learning outcomes in a STEM context. While OBE–SCL frameworks are widely implemented, variations in cohort performance remain insufficiently explained. Using CDL-CQI data, this study identifies how differences in student learning behaviour and curriculum alignment contribute to these variations. Results indicate that higher-performing cohorts demonstrate stronger engagement and perception gains, while persistent weaknesses in CO–PO–LO–KI alignment constrain outcome consistency. This study contributes by demonstrating that CQI data can uncover hidden learner-related and alignment issues within otherwise compliant OBE–SCL systems, providing a practical framework for improving consistency and equity in STEM education. This study is novel in its use of CDL-CQI data to diagnose cohort-level disparities within a fully implemented OBE–SCL system.
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