Elements of Technology Enabled / Enhanced Active Learning ( TEAL ) to Enhance Quality and Employability of Bachelor ’ s Students

The application of technology innovation is rapidly increasing in industries and educational institutions. This phenomenon has led to the emergence of Technology Enabled/Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) which emphasizes the use of various techniques and technologies. TEAL is a new learning format that combines educational content from a lecturer, simulation, and student’s experiences using technological tools to provide a rich collaborative learning experience for students. This approach is used to provide academic professional development that brings innovation to the learning content, practically by using pedagogy, technology and classroom design. TEAL ensures the enhanced development of student's knowledge and skills in order to produce quality skilful workers with adequate employability skills. Technology is an effective tool used to facilitate the teaching and learning process, which can, in turn, create an active environment for students to build their knowledge, skill and experience. This paper determines the elements of TEAL based on interview sessions with expert academicians and from a systematic literature review. The selection of TEAL elements for this study was carried out using thematic analysis approach. Findings show that these TEAL elements would help institutions to promote students in involving themselves in active learning in order to enhance the quality of graduates in improving their technical knowledge, thereby enhancing their employability skills.


Introduction
Nowadays, engineering and technology industries have a high demand for bachelor degree graduates from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs.TVET programs prepare individuals for work in technical areas and provide these individuals with skills, knowledge, experience and marketability in applied innovation technology [1].The unemployment rate of bachelor graduates is high, and this has been closely linked to the problem of inadequate knowledge, skills and attitudes of graduates in applied technology and technical work for labour market requirements in the industrial sector [2,3].Figure 1.1 shows that the highest unemployment rates in Malaysia were bachelor degree graduates with a 27.9% unemployment rate compared respective groups as reported in the data source obtained from the Ministry of Higher Education and Bank Negara Malaysia estimates [4].This indicates that TVET institution needs to prepare bachelor degree graduates with communication skills, technology skills, employability skills and marketability skills to improve their performance gradually [5].More specifically in providing opportunities for students to apply technology tools practically while engaging in an active learning environment [6].
Thus, Technology Enabled/Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) can be applied in the learning process.It will help students to meet the demand of industry needs.That is graduates who are skilful, talented, knowledgeable, hand's on practices, with a right attitude and willingness to share ideas to improve the quality of jobs in industrial organizations [6,7].Therefore, an innovative learning format in applying digital technology, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) equipment, electronic media, application tools, multimedia tools and machine tools are needed.This innovative learning format for these crucially selected elements is required in order to improve the quality of learning in simulations, hands-on and short lectures from instructors [8].
In this paper, to produce technology active learning in education, there is need to refer to the learning pyramid by.[9,10] to help students learn in productive ways so that student can master knowledge related to employability skills.Similarly, in order to produce active Students will be given a chance to practice with group discussions, collaborative activities; practical hands-on and active learning during the class session [7].From figure 1.2 shows the learning pyramid.Effective learning was divided into two parts; namely passive learning such as lectures, reading, audiovisuals and demonstrations; and active learning such as group discussion, practical and collaborative activities [9,11].The learning pyramid shows that 50% of students need to participate in group discussion, 75% for practical hands-on and 90% for collaborative activities to create active learning environment [9].In addition, to create more efficient learning, technology will be applied to active learning activities to ensure that students will obtain a better understanding of the learned concept during class sessions [11].This will help students to become high-quality workers when they employed in various job roles in industries.
Therefore, the theory of Practice Technologies, Pedagogies and Content Knowledge (TPACK) needs to be used as a platform to build active learning environment [7,12].This study utilized the TPACK theory to establish the TEAL concept that requires a combination of active pedagogical learning with technology-rich classrooms in producing an effective learning environment.The application of technology is used to provide activities which constitute the implementation of active learning strategy, as it is more focused on learning outcomes and not on technology tools only and involves students in the learning process [13].It can help instructors to create effective learning by increasing their learning content and pedagogical knowledge in developing a global mindset to become flexible workers in industries after graduation [6,12].
According to the study [14], TPACK can help institutions to increase knowledge about applied technology in curriculum activities; it will prepare students in practical work, knowledge, and skills in the use of technological equipment and machine tools during classroom sessions.To create an active learning environment, there is a need to start from the basic knowledge of technologies, pedagogies and content to incorporate effective learning [12,14].
Active learning is fundamental to the educational system, which is in line with global technology needs in learning activities needed to produce skilful graduates who will become manpower for industries, who are knowledgeable, productive, competent in work, excellent talented, have high potentials, are tech-savvy and innovation-minded in applied machine tools especially in technical areas that meet industry demands and institution needs [5,15,16].
Moreover, TEAL needs to be applied in teaching and learning to enhance the quality of graduates by using a variety of methods.That is to assist students to be more interested in the learning process, especially in some elements of online learning, blended learning, collaborative learning, practical learning and interactive learning [17,18,19].
This paper determines the elements of TEAL in enhancing quality and the employability of TVET graduates based on the TPACK theory for preparing graduates to be more active and excellent in applied technology in their studies.The paper is organized under the following headings: Section 2 methodology of the study, section 3 is about the elements of TEAL; Section 4 discusses the outcomes of the study, summaries and conclusion of this paper.

Methodology
The purpose of this study was to determine the elements of TEAL in solving the problems of unemployed graduates based on the theory of practice (TPACK).This study used thematic analysis approach to identify the element of TEAL.Thematic analysis was performed on data obtained from interview sessions with expert academicians and review of the literature.This paper is necessitated as a response to the need in helping graduate become better-prepared workers after graduation from studies.

Elements of Technology Enabled/Enhanced Active Learning
The selection of crucial elements of TEAL is based on a summary of interview data and documents from previous research.From the literature and from the perspectives of expert academicians, elements of online learning, blended learning, collaborative learning, practical learning and interactive learning is an approach that is often discussed as being related to learning technology to improve quality and employability of TVET students.TEAL is a technology innovation learning that provides opportunities for TVET students to participate in active lessons and to be involved in quality environment studies as stated in the Malaysia Education Blueprint (Higher Education) 2015-2025 [20,21,22].This is to prepare students with a variety of approach to learning such as online learning, blended learning, collaborative learning, laboratory learning and interactive learning to build their knowledge and skills related to employability [23].According to experts, these five elements should be applied in higher education learning and should be embraced by all graduates who want to find a job in industries because they will encounter these elements as a prerequisite to measuring the abilities and skills of graduates while working.
Based on the feedback from experts, it is more about the graduates needing to prepare themselves with the various skills and knowledge expected by prospective employers.The education system and skills according to [24] have also been highlighted as efforts needed to develop more effective learning in terms of combining aspects of online learning, blended learning, collaborative learning, laboratory learning and interactive learning to enhance quality and producing world-class employable graduates that can achieve goals.Summary of these key elements of TEAL is shown in the following table.Table 3.1 shows key elements of technology-enabled active learning

Interactive learning
Students are able to build cognitive, creative and critical thinking skills in using multimedia software to produce a project or product.

Elements of online learning
Based on interview session and previous journal findings, researchers list the elements of online learning that support the TEAL approach.All these elements are based on the practice theory (TPACK), in producing quality graduates.It was suggested that technology should be used in class lectures.Technology facilitated learning such as using the internet to build knowledge and skills for finding/sharing information in learning.
According to the expert's opinion, all these elements need to be applied in a learning session to help students participate in active learning environment using technology tools for improving their knowledge.
Research literature [25,26,27], also discusses the effectiveness of applying computer technology in active learning environments and this is dependent on how the tools were used.For example, how accessible are information via the internet or Wi-Fi to facilitate active learning environment, how can a telecommunication media user facilitate online learning sessions with experts in improving student's technical knowledge, how can web application be used to share ideas and how can Internet of thing (IoT) be used to find information to support learning activities?Additionally, pedagogical knowledge can also be used to help students adapt virtual and web learning to build social interactions.Interpersonal skills can be developed through the use of the internet to find and share information in online conferences [28,29].Thus, students are able to build content knowledge by engaging in extensive exploration activities and searching support learning materials in support of creating critical, creative and innovative thinking to solve problems through e-learning and educational web resources.This provides flexibility in the way and manner by which information is accessed at any time and anywhere [30,31,32].Summary of the elements of online learning are shown in Table 3 Students can search information online at any time and anywhere

Elements of Blended Learning
The elements of blended learning are summarised based on the interviews from experts and previous research that had been discussed about the use of a combination of lectures and online learning approach to ensure that the process of teaching and learning is more interesting by using telecommunication media and computer technology applications in class.Feedback from the experts reveals that this can help to build organizational and management skills of students primarily on developing the experience to conduct their own learning with technology.Blended learning is an essential element for enhancing student's competence in the use of digital and electronic technology in class through online conferences with experts to enhance the technical knowledge of students, that technologies application is parallel with [33,34,35,36] research.Other than that, pedagogical knowledge in blended learning enables students to be more confident in social interaction either with friends or teachers to helps minimize ineffective lecture in the learning process that is supported by virtual learning and to create an active environment using technology applications [37,38].In fact, content knowledge enables students to be able to gain experience in practical work and presentation skills in flexible conditions and explore the content that had been delivered to the audience [39].It will help students to develop cognitive thinking and social innovation for preparing them with an occupation in technology equipment, software application and machine tools [40].Summary of the elements of blended learning are shown in Table 3

Elements of Collaborative Learning
Based on interviews conducted and findings in previous journals, the elements of collaborative learning to identify technology knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and content knowledge of students in enhancing quality and employability skills in the future when they work in industries.According to the data collected and analysed, from the interview sessions, all experts highlighted that collaborative learning is critical to be applied in the class, especially in terms of technologies such as using desktop workspace to produce group projects, using web-based software in designing product, developing projects through internet networks and using digital tools to search information needed like those used in researching [41,42,43].Moreover, group learning can be used to teach students to become confident in social interaction and communication with other people, to create a discussion group, a forum for sharing information, views and knowledge to build teamwork spirit to control emotions and self-motivation when receiving instructions from tutors and peers [44,45,46].In order to create content knowledge, students must be given the chance to build accountability of individual and group to identify their own responsibilities in decision making and taking actions to solve problems, and also to improve critical thinking of students in class discussions [47,48,49].These will help students to create effective learning and become active members of the class while enjoying their lessons at the same time.Summary of elements of collaborative learning are shown in Table 3.4.

Social Interaction and communication
Students are able to interact with group members with tolerance and prudence.5.

Discussion Group Forum
Students are more open to working as a group to share ideas and opinions.6.

Instructions Tutor and Friend
Students will be able to receive instructions and adhere to the leader of a group discussion 7.
Accountability of Students are aware of the

Individual and Group
responsibilities that should be shouldered by each individual in the group 8.

Decision Making and Action
Students are able to make decisions in learning with group discussions 9.
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Students will be able to think outside the box and share ideas with fellow members of the group

Elements of Practical Learning
The summary of discussion with expert and literature form some previous studies, reveal that elements of practical learning are related to the use of scientific tools and machinery in the laboratory with ICT and computer equipment to provide opportunity for students to master variety of skills through web-based software applications in order to build their technological knowledge, as reported in previous studies [50,51,52].Based on the feedback from the experts, this practical learning is very important as it enables students to have the opportunity to learn from practical projects, as well as learning from products and solutions based on procedural learning to build their own experiences in a conducive learning environment while engaging in group work activities and improving pedagogical knowledge of graduates.
This learning increases the content knowledge of students to build hands-on and experimental skills in handling and controlling devices during practical session in the laboratory [53,54].Through actual experiment, it enables students to perform testing by using hand tools and at the same time building technical experience for students with scientific skills in analysing data with a variety of research's techniques that can be applied in the industries [55,56].The summaries of elements of practical learning are shown in Table 3.5.Scientific Skills and Technical analysis Students will be skilled in analysing data with a variety of research techniques

Elements of Interactive Learning
Based on the interview conducted with expert academicians and findings from previous studies, the researcher identifies the elements of interactive learning to include knowledge of students in applied technology in the learning process, learning through technology media such as multimedia tools via computer networks and software programming to improve technical skills and the use of digital equipment to produce products [57,58].According to the experts, this interactive learning will help students in developing pedagogical knowledge.For instance, in demonstrating their work, animations and graphic designs with audio sound systems can be used to illustrate, while video can be used to display simulation and visualization in game applications can help students to be more interested in the learning process.
Students must be more creative and have high imagination in illustrating so that they can understand what is being learned by visualizing them in their mind [59,60].This learning area is based on the level of student's thinking on how they can become with high productivity in their work, with a high level of cognitive thinking for increasing their learning environment.Thus, making it more flexibility in creating a high performance to produce graduates who are adequate in content knowledge [61,62].Summary of elements of interactive learning are shown in Table 3.6.

Discussion and Conclusion
In this study, expert shared their opinions regarding the effectiveness of student's knowledge and skills in order to become skilful workers.This five elements of TEAL approaches needed in TVET institutions, especially for enhancing quality and employability skills of bachelor degree graduates were established from the study.These elements are essential to be applied in classroom settings to ensure that students are able to participate in an active environment to build experience in learning.The combination of all these elements will help graduates to improve their knowledge, skills and experience in technical work by using technology innovation tools.The five elements of TEAL have their own benefit; online learning help students to find information for their studies; blended learning gives student the opportunity to become flexible in their work and to improve their communication skills; collaborative learning helps to build teamwork spirit in students to enable them to share their ideas and opinions; practical learning helps to ensure that students will be able to handle tools to enhance their hands-on skill; interactive learning helps to ensure that students are able to run multimedia or programming of software to create cognitive thinking.
Each student needs to activate their knowledge as a worker-in-training with various skills for helping them find jobs after graduation.Graduates must be prepared for all the challenges and industrial demand of skilled workers in technologies knowledge that is related to employability skills.This is in line with the theory of practice (TPACK) of pyramid learning for developing an active learning environment.The TEAL approach will guide students in achieving the goals of their studies and help them build knowledge and skills to gain experience.
In conclusion, this study aimed at identifying the elements of TEAL approach, to guide students and lecturers in the learning process in order to create active environments by using technology applications, machinery equipment, digital device, and ICT tools in the class.There are various methods that can be applied to teaching and learning that will attract student's interest to enjoy their studies more.At the same time, lectures will become facilitators to guide students to understand their lesson by applying technology in class either through online or face-to-face method.Lastly, students will become active persons by preparing themselves for industry requirement in job placement.For the next stage, all these elements will be validated by experts and a final checklist will be developed to specify the elements of TEA.Thereafter, it will be analyzed using Fleiss' Kappa agreements.
The author would like to thank to Research Management Centre (RMC), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia for supporting this research.

Table 3 .
1: Key Element of Technology Enabled Active Learning