Abstract:

According to Kolb (2014) experience is the source of learning and development. This is a statement that serves as the starting point of this study. We argue that the role of affective experiences cannot be overlooked when evaluating university learning and teaching. In the present paper, we will study students’ affective experiences in higher education setting, specifically in engineering education in a technical university. The perceived affective experiences are empirically analysed through a mystery shopper data set, which was gathered in the case university by a group of students. The study bases theoretically on affective experiences framework, more familiar from the consumer behavior research stream. The aim of the study is to analyse what kinds of affective experiences students perceive when studying in a technical university and further to elaborate, how these affective experiences could be used to increase the student's motivation to learn. The study provides innovative approach to university learning and teaching by applying mystery shopper method and affective experience approach from the business discipline. The contribution to education science is the increased understanding of the role of affective experience in learning.

Keywords:

Affective experience, mystery shopper, learning.