doi: 10.18178/ijiet.2026.16.1.2492
Synergistic Effects of Motivation and Cognition on Academic Success in Engineering Education
Ilmiyati Rahmy Jasril1,*
,
Usmeldi2 ,
Krismadinata2
- 1Departement of Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia
- 2Departement of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia
- Manuscript receivedJune 2, 2025
- revisedJuly 3, 2025
- acceptedJuly 28, 2025
- publishedJanuary 16, 2026
Abstract
This study aims to examine the influence of self-regulated learning, self-efficacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills on academic performance in simulation-based engineering education. Technology-enhanced learning, particularly through simulation, provides an interactive and autonomous environment that encourages students to engage cognitively and manage their own learning. In this context, virtual circuit simulation projects are used to foster deeper thinking, sustained effort, and practical problem-solving. A total of 372 electronics engineering students from Universitas Negeri Padang participated in the study, completing a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SmartPLS) and network analysis (JASP). The findings show that self-regulated learning and self-efficacy significantly predict students’ critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and academic performance. Moreover, problem-solving was the strongest cognitive predictor of academic achievement. These results highlight the importance of cultivating motivation and cognition through simulation-based learning, which supports the development of essential skills and improves academic outcomes in higher education. Notably, the combined effects of these variables explained 76.8% of the variance in academic performance (R² = 0.768).
Keywords
- motivation
- cognition
- engineering education
- structural equation modeling
- network analysis
How to Cite
Ilmiyati Rahmy Jasril, Usmeldi, and Krismadinata, "Synergistic Effects of Motivation and Cognition on Academic Success in Engineering Education," International Journal of Information and Education Technology, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 174-184, 2026. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijiet.2026.16.1.2492
Copyright & License
Copyright © 2026 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).