BACKGROUNDSimulation-based Learning (SBL) was used in Machining Technology, a sixtyhour module for second year engineering students, at the School of Engineering at Temasek Polytechnic. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of SBL on learners' motivation and performance. In assessing students' motivation, we adopted a framework based on the Self-determination Theory (SDT), chosen on account of its comprehensive treatment of the relationship between students' perceived needs satisfaction and their motivation. PURPOSE (HYPOTHESIS)It is hypothesized that SBL, which provides learners with interactive learning experiences, will enhance students' motivation and performance. We explored the effect of SBL on students' perceived psychological needs satisfaction, motivation, and learning, and how SBL affected students' understanding and application of content knowledge. DESIGN/METHODThe intervention procedure involved the incorporation of SBL in Machining Technology, a 60 hour module in the mechanical engineering program. Survey findings and post-intervention assessment outcomes were used to assess the students' perceptions of their basic psychological needs satisfaction, motivation, and performance. RESULTSOur findings suggest that the students perceived their psychological needs to be satisfied and had high levels of self-determined motivation. Students who undertook SBL had higher mean performance test scores, although SBL may have differential effects on learners depending on factors such as gender, educational backgrounds, and IT knowledge. CONCLUSIONSOur findings suggest that the students perceived their basic psychological needs to be met and that SBL can potentially enhance self-determined motivation as well as improve learning in general.

This article discusses a study conducted at one of the polytechnics in Singapore. Its purpose was to explore how the cultural characteristics of Singapore students influenced and shaped their e-learning experience in a blended-learning program. The study employed a range of methods to collect rich qualitative data, including individual and group interviews, and observations of their online interactions. The findings suggest that the students' culture at the national, ethnic and cyber levels could have influenced what they considered useful, enjoyable and effective.Une perception de ce qui est utile, agréable et efficace: étude de cas d'une experience d'e-learning chez des étudiants du premier cycle à Singapour Cet article examine une étude menée dans une des polytechnics (IUT) de Singapour. Le but était d'étudier comment les caractéristiques culturelles des étudiants de Singapour ont influencé et façonné leur expérience de l'e-learning au sein d'un programme d'apprentissage mixte. Pour recueillir une somme de données qualitatives, cette étude a utilisé une gamme de méthodes comprenant des entretiens individuels et de groupe et l'observation de leurs interactions en ligne. Ces découvertes permettent de penser que la culture des étudiants tant au niveau national qu'au niveau ethnique et culturel a pu influencer ce qu'ils ont considéré comme utile, agréable et efficace. Das Erkennen des Nützlichen, Amüsanten und Effektiven: Eine Fallstudie über die E-LearningErfahrungen von (Tertiär-) Studenten in SingapurIn diesem Beitrag wird eine an einem der Polytechnikeinrichtungen in Singapur durchgeführte Studie vorgestellt. Sie sollte erforschen, wie die kulturellen Charakteristika Singapurer Studenten ihre E-Learning Erfahrungen im Rahmen eines gemischten Lernprogrammes beeinflussen und prägen. In der Studie wurden eine Reihe Methoden zur Sammlung hochqualitativer Daten benutzt, unter anderem Einzel-und Gruppeninterviews und Beobachtungen der Online-Interaktionen. Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass die Kultur der Studenten auf nationaler, ethischer und virtueller Ebene Einfluss darauf haben könnten, was sie als nützlich, amüsant und effektiv empfinden. Una percepción de lo útil, de lo divertido y efectivo: un estudio de caso de una experiencia de aprendizaje en línea de los estudiantes de un Instituto Politécnico de SingapurEste artículo trata de un estudio que se llevó a cabo en uno de los "politécnicos" (Escuelas Técnicas Superiores) de Singapur. El propósito de este estudio era examinar hasta qué punto las características culturales de los estudiantes de Singapur influyeron y modelaron sus experiencias del aprendizaje en línea dentro de un programa de aprendizaje mixto. Para recolectar una suma de datos cualitativos este estudio utilizó una gama de metodologías -incluyendo entrevistas individuales y en grupo -y la observación de sus interacciones en línea. Los resultados obtenidos nos permiten suponer que la cultura de los estudiantes, tanto a nivel nacional como a nivel étnico y cultural, ha podido influír en lo que ellos ...

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SIM University (UniSIM), Singapore’s first privately-funded university, caters to working adults in Singapore. It currently offers over 40 undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes through its four schools. The university is committed to helping busy working adult learners manage their studies by providing a flexible learning environment. Blended learning is one such initiative. While courses are designed for adult learners to meet the standards set by the curriculum developers and the university, it is imperative that there are ways to indicate that learning has taken place. This paper proposes an evaluation framework to help identify, capture and reflect learning for Speaking With Confidence (COR 157), a blended learning level one core course for undergraduates. This framework would be of interest to adult learners, faculty and administrators.