Empowering students with the 4P'S SOMA framework: a new approach to critical thinking and reflective learning

The 4P's SOMA framework, adapted from social marketing principles, has significantly enhanced student engagement, critical thinking, and satisfaction in higher education. By integrating this structured approach, students in a social marketing course at UiTM Sarawak Campus Samarahan 2 demonstrated marked improvements in their ability to analyze, evaluate, and apply complex concepts. The framework's emphasis on collaborative learning and practical application fostered a more interactive and stimulating classroom environment, leading to increased student enjoyment and overall satisfaction with the learning experience. Pre- and post-implementation feedback, gathered through an 8-item questionnaire, revealed substantial improvements in critical thinking skills, engagement levels, and confidence in knowledge retention. The findings underscore the value of incorporating the 4P's SOMA framework into educational practices, particularly in fields that require a deep understanding of interdisciplinary concepts. By cultivating essential skills such as analytical thinking and problem-solving, the framework prepares students for success in an ever-evolving world. The insights gained from this research contribute to the existing body of literature on the use of structured frameworks in education, offering practical implications for curriculum design and instructional strategies in social marketing courses within higher education institutions.