Quality and effectiveness of the instructional materials of new energy vehicles course in higher vocational colleges
Na Yu & Marilou Saong
Abstract
This study examines the quality and effectiveness of instructional materials used in the “Introduction to New Energy Vehicles” course in higher vocational colleges in China. Driven by national carbon neutrality goals and industrial transformation, the rapidly expanding new energy vehicle (NEV) industry requires vocational education to provide relevant and high-quality curricula. Grounded in cognitive learning theory, particularly Ausubel’ s assimilation theory, the study explores how textbooks and digital resources support student understanding, align with curriculum standards, and respond to evolving industry demands. Using a qualitative descriptive design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with four experienced instructors through purposive sampling; thematic analysis identified five key dimensions of textbook quality: content richness, alignment with national standards, timeliness, accessibility, and ease of use. Findings indicate that current materials-textbooks, PowerPoint presentations, online videos, and simulations-generally align with curriculum requirements and support blended learning. However, concerns were raised regarding outdated content, limited support for students with disabilities, and insufficient coverage of emerging technologies like battery recycling and intelligent connectivity. Integrating real-world case studies, simulation tools, and online platforms was found to enhance student engagement and comprehension. Participants emphasized the need for a structured, collaborative evaluation framework involving both educators and learners to ensure continuous improvement. Recommendations include strengthening update mechanisms, promoting inclusivity, enhancing curriculum-industry alignment, and establishing formal textbook evaluation systems. The study underscores the vital role of high-quality instructional materials in fostering active learning and preparing skilled professionals for the evolving NEV industry.
Keywords
textbook evaluation, vocational education, teaching quality, curriculum alignment
Author information & Contribution
Na Yu. Master of Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics. Doctor of Education Candidate, University of Baguio. Email: 912661533@qq.com
Marilou Saong. Corresponding author. PhD in Education. Professor, University of Baguio. Email: marilousaong@e.ubaguio.edu
"All authors equally contributed to the conception, design, preparation, data gathering and analysis, and writing of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript."
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Funding
This work was not supported by any funding.
Institutional Review Board Statement
This study was conducted in accordance with the ethical guidelines set by the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Baguio.
Data and Materials Availability
The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
AI Declaration
The authors utilized Grammarly and QuillBot to improve readability. Consensus AI and Elicit AI were used for literature review; Scribbr was used for reference formatting.
Notes
Acknowledgement
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Cite this article:
Yu, N. & Saong, M. (2026). Quality and effectiveness of the instructional materials of new energy vehicles course in higher vocational colleges. International Journal of Academe and Industry Research, 7(2), 1-27. https://doi.org/10.53378/ijair.353346
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