The Relationship Between Demographic Factors and Learning Approaches with the Academic Achievement of Malaysian Vocational Certificate Students

Abstract

Introduction: Student academic excellence can be linked and influenced by various factors that can be internal and external. Excellent academic achievement not only reflects success in formal education, but also has a positive impact on various aspects of an individual's life and future. Objective: This study aims to compare the level of Malay language achievement of Malaysian Vocational Certificate (MVC) students based on demographic factors (gender and field of study). This study also exameanes the learning approach (surface, deep and motivational) and its relationship with Malay language achievement of MVC students. Methodology: In this study, a total of 297 Year 1 students of the MVC were selected through moderate random sampling to represent the population that is 1334 students as research respondents who are studying at a vocational college in the state of Pahang, Malaysia. Data was analyzed using software Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 26.0. Namely descriptive statistics (mean, frequency and percentage) and inferential statistics (Test Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis and Post Hoc Test and Correlation). The degree of reliability (Cronbach Alpha) for the entire learning approach is .0.81. Findings: The results of the study show that there is a significant difference between demographic factors (gender and field of study) and student achievement. The mean analysis shows that the level of deep approach and motivational approach is at a high level while the surface approach is at a moderate level. Spearman Rho correlation analysis found that there is a significant relationship between the learning approaches studied and student achievement. This study has an impact on the college management in designing an academic excellence program related to academic achievement among MVC students. Summary: The role of demographics and an effective learning approach plays an important role in improving students' academic achievement. Educators and school admeanistrators can take the right actions to support the learning and development of each individual student while ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of academic excellence as well as foster intrinsic motivation.