The Effectiveness of an Interactive Training Program in Developing a Set of Non-Cognitive Skills in Students at University of Petra

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of interactive training programs in developing a set of non-cognitive skills in students at the University of Petra. Furthermore, it sought to examine the impact of the sex, academic year, and university major variables on developing these skills in students who underwent the training program, as well as whether a correlation exists between the GPA of students in the experimental group and how they acquired these non-cognitive skills. The study focused on the following six non-cognitive skills: (a) locus of control; (b) planning; (c) empathy; (d) self-confidence; (e) growth mindset; and (f) grit. The study sample was randomly distributed into three groups: the first (Group A) attended an interactive training program; the second (B) attended a training course using a traditional teaching strategy; while the third (C) did not attend any programs whatsoever. The researchers have designed an interactive training program and a questionnaire to measure the sample’s non-cognitive skills on all six dimensions. The results indicate statistically significant differences between the different teaching methods used on all three groups (A, B, and C) in the overall test, as well as on three dimensions of empathy, growth mindset, and grit in favor of the experimental group (A). Additionally, findings have revealed no significant differences in the extent to which students in the experimental group (A) have acquired non-cognitive skills on the variables of sex, academic year, and university major. Moreover, the study did not show significant correlation between the extent to which students acquired these non-cognitive skills and their GPAs.