A narrative review of the criticality of problem-solving and troubleshooting skills for undergraduate students: the missing link in Electronics Engineering programmes

Abstract

This paper reports on a narrative review of the criticality of problem-solving and troubleshooting skills for undergraduate Electronics Engineering students and its significance for industry readiness. The review was undertaken to understand the problems and troubleshooting skills learned and possessed by the Electronics Engineering training programme for students in higher education. It is argued that the curriculum designed for undergraduate engineering students does not include troubleshooting. The essential criticality of troubleshooting in electronics engineering education is well described in this review. The narrative review of the literature covered peer-reviewed papers that focus on problem-solving and troubleshooting and were published in English between 2000 and 2022. Findings from the articles meeting relevant criteria were synthesised into themes. The review found that although problem-solving is seen broadly as a critical skill required for engineers in engineering education, most engineering programmes emphasise design problem-solving, such as in designing products, engineering processes, systems, and methods. Other essential problems involving technical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills are critical for their future career development but are inadvertently neglected in the curriculum. The study considered some implications for curriculum reform in Electronics Engineering programmes. The study further offers insights into the complexities and gaps in the Electronics Engineering curriculum and novice undergraduates’ troubleshooting skills.