Integrating Cultural Heritage and Values into Technical Education: A Framework for Holistic Software Engineering Talent Cultivation
Year: 2026
Type: book-chapter
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: Software engineering education faces a global challenge: the growing disconnect between technical skill development and ethical formation-the "skills-values gap."This paper presents a novel pedagogical framework that systematically integrates cultural values into technical curricula through the "6+6+N" model.Implemented in Chinese higher vocational education, this model comprises six digital support systems, six value-education paradigms, and extensible practical scenarios.Grounded in the proposed Cultural-Technical Integration Theory (CTIT), which leverages collectivist cultural principles emphasizing service orientation, practice-driven learning, and collaborative excellence, the framework aligns with modern software engineering competencies.A quasiexperimental study (n=240, experimental group=120, control group=120) with enhanced controls demonstrates statistically significant improvements in professional competencies (Cohen's d=0.72), ethical literacy (d=0.85), and innovation capabilities (d=0.68).Students in the experimental group showed substantially higher scores in ethical reasoning assessments and increased success in national competitions.Initial implementation across 15 institutions suggests promising replicability, though further validation is needed.This research contributes a systematic approach to values-based engineering education that may be culturally adaptable with appropriate validation.
Authors: Cheng He, Guoluan Chen
Institution: Zhongshan Polytechnic
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7155203216