Active Learning as a Beyond-the-Classroom Strategy to Improve University Students’ Career Adaptability

Tracy Hui, Sam S. S. Lau and Mantak Yuen
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Tracy Hui: Department of Management, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
Sam S. S. Lau: Careers and Employability Centre, School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
Mantak Yuen: Centre for Advancement in Inclusive and Special Education, Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 11, 1-13

Abstract: Geopolitical changes worldwide, together with rapid advances in technology, have created a situation where an individual’s working life can present many new challenges. Helping students develop the attitudes and skills necessary to adapt to constant change along a career path has become a priority in education. Developing this career adaptability is becoming increasingly important to the sustainability of democracy, the economy, justice, human values, and equality. The authors of this paper argue that to improve the quality of our education system in universities, active learning should play a more important role to enrich the typical lecturing–learning processes. The aim of the study reported here was to examine the impact from implementing a 3-month active learning program that took university students beyond the classroom to increase their career adaptability and self-esteem and to strengthen their meaning in life. A mixed-method approach was adopted and conducted in two phases with 119 undergraduate students in human resources management at a university in Hong Kong. Findings suggested a significant improvement in career adaptability of the students after participating in the program when compared to a control group. However, data did not indicate any significant change in self-esteem and meaning in life in the training group. The findings support the valuable role of active learning as a strategy to enhance students’ career adaptability in a changing but sustainable world of employment.

Keywords: active learning; career adaptability; Hong Kong; human resources management; university students; university teaching (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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