Towards the alignment of conceptual mastery and teaching practice competence: A case study in vocational education

Authors

  • Hafid Rahmandan Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Gorontalo, Indonesia Author
  • Retno Eka Pramitasari Universitas Hasyim Asy'ari, Jombang, Indonesia Author
  • Nahindi Putra Gitama Politeknik Negeri Malang, Malang, Indonesia Author

Keywords:

Authentic assessment, Case study, Conceptual mastery, Teaching practice competence, Vocational education

Abstract

The alignment between conceptual mastery and teaching practice competence has rarely been examined in small classes through individual pattern analysis, leaving their relationship insufficiently understood. This study aimed to identify the alignment pattern between students' conceptual mastery and teaching practice competence in vocational education. A case study approach with qualitative analysis following the Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña model was employed using participation, assignment, midterm examination, and micro teaching assessment data. The findings revealed that all students with complete data demonstrated a positive alignment pattern, with teaching practice scores consistently exceeding conceptual mastery scores by 7–10 points. These results indicate that conceptual understanding develops into teaching competence through learning that integrates theory with authentic teaching practice. This study also proposes a conceptual model explaining the relationship among conceptual mastery, teaching practice competence, pedagogical implications, assessment improvement, and educational quality in vocational education.

Abstrak

Keselarasan antara penguasaan konsep dan kompetensi praktik mengajar masih jarang dikaji pada kelas berukuran kecil melalui analisis pola individu, sehingga hubungan keduanya belum dipahami secara komprehensif. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengidentifikasi pola keselarasan antara penguasaan konsep dan kompetensi praktik mengajar mahasiswa dalam pembelajaran kejuruan. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan studi kasus dengan analisis kualitatif model Miles, Huberman, dan Saldaña terhadap data partisipasi, tugas, UTS, dan micro teaching (UAS). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa seluruh mahasiswa dengan data lengkap memiliki pola keselarasan positif, ditandai oleh capaian praktik yang secara konsisten lebih tinggi daripada capaian konseptual dengan selisih 7–10 poin. Temuan ini menunjukkan bahwa penguasaan konsep berkembang menjadi kompetensi praktik melalui pembelajaran yang mengintegrasikan teori dan pengalaman mengajar. Penelitian ini juga menghasilkan model konseptual yang menjelaskan hubungan antara penguasaan konsep, kompetensi praktik, implikasi pedagogis, pengembangan asesmen, dan peningkatan kualitas pendidikan kejuruan.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ajjawi, R., Tai, J., Le, T. H. N., Boud, D., Johnson, L., & Patrick, C.-J. (2020). Aligning assessment with the needs of work-integrated learning: The challenges of authentic assessment in a complex context. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 45(2), 304–316. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2019.1639613

Barth, E., & Higginbottom, R. S. (2021). The calculus mastery exam: A report on the use of gateway-inspired assessment tools at liberal arts colleges. PRIMUS, 31(8), 883–899. https://doi.org/10.1080/10511970.2020.1776804

Bhardwaj, V., Zhang, S., Tan, Y. Q., & Pandey, V. (2025). Redefining learning: Student-centered strategies for academic and personal growth. Frontiers in Education, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1518602

Böttcher-Oschmann, F., Groß Ophoff, J., & Thiel, F. (2021). Preparing teacher training students for evidence-based practice promoting students’ research competencies in research-learning projects. Frontiers in Education, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.642107

Bünger, A., Urfer-Maurer, N., & Grob, A. (2021). Multimethod assessment of attention, executive functions, and motor skills in children with and without ADHD: Children’s performance and parents’ perceptions. Journal of Attention Disorders, 25(4), 596–606. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054718824985

Bürgener, L., & Barth, M. (2018). Sustainability competencies in teacher education: Making teacher education count in everyday school practice. Journal of Cleaner Production, 174, 821–826. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.10.263

Cardozo-Gaibisso, L., Kim, S., Buxton, C., & Cohen, A. (2020). Thinking beyond the score: Multidimensional analysis of student performance to inform the next generation of science assessments. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 57(6), 856–878. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.21611

Chew, S. L., & Cerbin, W. J. (2021). The cognitive challenges of effective teaching. The Journal of Economic Education, 52(1), 17–40. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220485.2020.1845266

Colomer, J., Serra, T., Cañabate, D., & Bubnys, R. (2020). Reflective learning in higher education: Active methodologies for transformative practices. Sustainability, 12(9), 3827. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12093827

Cook, E. (2021). Practice-based engineering: Mathematical competencies and micro-credentials. International Journal of Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, 7(2), 284–305. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40753-020-00128-3

de Bruin, L. R. (2019). The use of cognitive apprenticeship in the learning and teaching of improvisation: Teacher and student perspectives. Research Studies in Music Education, 41(3), 261–279. https://doi.org/10.1177/1321103X18773110

Demetroulis, E. A., Papadogiannis, I., Wallace, M., Poulopoulos, V., Theodoropoulos, A., Vasilopoulos, N., Antoniou, A., & Dasakli, F. (2024). Collaboration skills and puzzles: Development of a performance-based assessment—results from 12 primary schools in Greece. Education Sciences, 14(10), 1056. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14101056

Falloon, G. (2020). From digital literacy to digital competence: The teacher digital competency (TDC) framework. Educational Technology Research and Development, 68(5), 2449–2472. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-020-09767-4

Fischetti, J., Ledger, S., Lynch, D., & Donnelly, D. (2022). Practice before practicum: Simulation in initial teacher education. The Teacher Educator, 57(2), 155–174. https://doi.org/10.1080/08878730.2021.1973167

Hickendorff, M., Edelsbrunner, P. A., McMullen, J., Schneider, M., & Trezise, K. (2018). Informative tools for characterizing individual differences in learning: Latent class, latent profile, and latent transition analysis. Learning and Individual Differences, 66, 4–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2017.11.001

Hoyer, L., & Hastie, W. W. (2023). Geoscience undergraduate students’ perceptions of how field work and practical skills influence their conceptual understanding and subject interest. Journal of Geoscience Education, 71(2), 158–176. https://doi.org/10.1080/10899995.2022.2110630

Jenset, I. S., Klette, K., & Hammerness, K. (2018). Grounding teacher education in practice around the world: An examination of teacher education coursework in teacher education programs in Finland, Norway, and the United States. Journal of Teacher Education, 69(2), 184–197. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022487117728248

Kahu, E. R., & Nelson, K. (2018). Student engagement in the educational interface: Understanding the mechanisms of student success. Higher Education Research & Development, 37(1), 58–71. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2017.1344197

Koh, K., Burke, L. E. C.-A., Luke, A., Gong, W., & Tan, C. (2018). Developing the assessment literacy of teachers in Chinese language classrooms: A focus on assessment task design. Language Teaching Research, 22(3), 264–288. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362168816684366

König, J., Bremerich-Vos, A., Buchholtz, C., & Glutsch, N. (2020). General pedagogical knowledge, pedagogical adaptivity in written lesson plans, and instructional practice among preservice teachers. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 52(6), 800–822. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220272.2020.1752804

Loveys, B. R., & Riggs, K. M. (2019). Flipping the laboratory: Improving student engagement and learning outcomes in second year science courses. International Journal of Science Education, 41(1), 64–79. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2018.1533663

Manasia, L., Ianos, M. G., & Chicioreanu, T. D. (2019). Pre-service teacher preparedness for fostering education for sustainable development: An empirical analysis of central dimensions of teaching readiness. Sustainability, 12(1), 166. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12010166

Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2019). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Miller, A. L., Fassett, K. T., & Palmer, D. L. (2021). Achievement goal orientation: A predictor of student engagement in higher education. Motivation and Emotion, 45(3), 327–344. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-021-09881-7

Northey, G., Govind, R., Bucic, T., Chylinski, M., Dolan, R., & van Esch, P. (2018). The effect of “here and now” learning on student engagement and academic achievement. British Journal of Educational Technology, 49(2), 321–333. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12589

Ogbuanya, T. C., & Shodipe, T. O. (2022). Workplace learning for pre-service teachers’ practice and quality teaching and learning in technical vocational education and training: Key to professional development. Journal of Workplace Learning, 34(4), 327–351. https://doi.org/10.1108/JWL-02-2021-0015

Orland-Barak, L., & Wang, J. (2021). Teacher mentoring in service of preservice teachers’ learning to teach: Conceptual bases, characteristics, and challenges for teacher education reform. Journal of Teacher Education, 72(1), 86–99. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022487119894230

Rashid, Y., Rashid, A., Warraich, M. A., Sabir, S. S., & Waseem, A. (2019). Case study method: A step-by-step guide for business researchers. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 18. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406919862424

Rose, H., Curle, S., Aizawa, I., & Thompson, G. (2020). What drives success in English medium taught courses? The interplay between language proficiency, academic skills, and motivation. Studies in Higher Education, 45(11), 2149–2161. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2019.1590690

Simon, E. (2024). Cultivating professional identity: The vital role of practical teaching experience for future educators. Education Sciences, 14(5), 439. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14050439

Sokhanvar, Z., Salehi, K., & Sokhanvar, F. (2021). Advantages of authentic assessment for improving the learning experience and employability skills of higher education students: A systematic literature review. Studies in Educational Evaluation, 70, 101030. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stueduc.2021.101030

Sotiriadou, P., Logan, D., Daly, A., & Guest, R. (2020). The role of authentic assessment to preserve academic integrity and promote skill development and employability. Studies in Higher Education, 45(11), 2132–2148. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2019.1582015

Suárez-Eiroa, B., Fernández, E., Méndez-Martínez, G., & Soto-Oñate, D. (2019). Operational principles of circular economy for sustainable development: Linking theory and practice. Journal of Cleaner Production, 214, 952–961. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.12.271

Voon, X. P., Wong, L.-H., Chen, W., & Looi, C.-K. (2019). Principled practical knowledge in bridging practical and reflective experiential learning: Case studies of teachers’ professional development. Asia Pacific Education Review, 20(4), 641–656. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-019-09587-z

Winget, M., & Persky, A. M. (2022). A practical review of mastery learning. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 86(10), 1114–1122. https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe8906

Yang, Y., Liu, X., & Gardella, J. A. (2020). Effects of a professional development program on science teacher knowledge and practice, and student understanding of interdisciplinary science concepts. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 57(7), 1028–1057. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.21620

Downloads

Published

2026-07-08

How to Cite

Rahmandan, Hafid, Retno Eka Pramitasari, and Nahindi Putra Gitama. 2026. “Towards the Alignment of Conceptual Mastery and Teaching Practice Competence: A Case Study in Vocational Education”. Eduvista: Journal of Education and Innovation 1 (1): 73-87. https://perfidiajournal.com/index.php/eduvista/article/view/17.