A Study of How Living and Learning Centres Affect Students’ Development in STEM Education: A Quasi-experimental Analysis Model

Abstract

This study examines how living and learning centres (LLCs) affect the academic development of college students who study science, technologies, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines in comparison to traditional residence halls. A quasi-experimental analysis model was implemented to compare the effects of different types of halls of residence of two Korean STEM colleges on three levels of student development. Analyses revealed that LLCs are more effective than traditional halls of residence in the higher stage of development. In promoting student engagement in terms of responding to academic challenges, faculty-student interaction, and having an appreciation of a supportive learning environment, the LLC was found to be more influential than the traditional residence programme. These findings suggest that STEM-focused LLCs can be an effective alternative for Asian STEM education institutions that want to create a learning environment which promotes the holistic development of their students.