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Enhancing Student Engagement in Online Learning through a Peer-to-Peer Virtual Reality Application
Get PDFThis study addresses the challenges of reduced student engagement in online learning, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores the potential of a peer-to-peer learning application using virtual reality (VR) components to enhance student engagement in a Python programming course. The application was developed and tested with university students, focusing on usability, social
presence, and learning performance. Usability testing revealed positive perceptions of the virtual classroom's realism, with a mean score of 36.47 out of 45 for realism. Participants also positively viewed the possibility to act and examine the virtual environment. There were concerns about the interface quality, with a mean score of 9.13 out of 15. Self-evaluation of performance was high, with
a mean score of 10.33 out of 15. Sound quality was generally perceived positively, with a mean score of 16.07 out of 20. Learning performance showed significant improvement in both traditional (pre-test mean = 8.53, post-test mean = 12.07) and proposed VR learning groups (pre-test mean = 10.03, post-test mean = 15.50). The proposed VR learning method demonstrated a greater increase in knowledge (mean improvement = 5.47) compared to the traditional method (mean
improvement = 3.53). Results indicated significant knowledge improvement and positive user feedback, suggesting that VR-based peer-to-peer learning can be a promising approach to improve student engagement in online settings
Recovery of ammonium sulfate from aqeuous solutions using freeze crystallization process
Get PDFAmmonium sulfate (AS) is a valuable resource present in wastewater, and its efficient recovery is essential to mitigate the negative environmental impacts of AS-rich wastewater, which includes eutrophication and salinity fluctuations. To address this challenge, freeze crystallization was selected as the recovery method due to its relatively low energy consumption and operating temperature as compared to evaporative crystallization. Experimental investigations were conducted in this study to evaluate the influences of different operating variables on the freeze crystallization process, at cooling temperature (-15 to -19 ℃), freezing time (30 to 90 minutes), AS feed concentration (38 to 39.5 wt%) and addition of seeding. The results showed that both AS crystallization efficiency and crystal size were enhanced at lower cooling temperatures and higher AS feed concentrations. The addition of AS seeding significantly increased the crystallization efficiency. This study has proven the feasibility of recovering AS from aqueous solutions using a freeze crystallization process, which presented a promising and sustainable solution to treat AS-rich wastewater
The Effects of Working Memory Capacity, Types of Instructions, and Recall on Following Instructions Performance
No full textMany past studies showed that participants performed well during spoken instructions task with action recall. The discussion was directed to understand the functional role of working memory components. However, less studies investigated the role of Working Memory Capacity (WMC) in following instructions. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of WMC, types of instructions, and recall in following instructions based on the total correct recall. We recruited 52 participants (26 with high WMC and 26 with low WMC) who completed spoken and written instruction tasks, followed by verbal and action recall. This quasi-experimental design used three-way mixed factorial design (2x2x2), and all data were analysed by using three-way factorial ANOVA. Findings of this study suggested that there is a significant effect of WMC, types of instructions, and types of recall on following instructions performance. The results also reveal that there is a significant interaction between WMC and types of instructions, and between types of instructions and types of recall. One of the main results suggests that both groups (WMC) performed better during action recall compared to verbal recall in both types of instructions
Interpopulation dietary comparisons in the common sun skink, Eutropis multifasciata (Squamata: Scincidae)
Get PDFEutropis multifasciata, the common sun skink, is a live-bearing member of the family Scincidae and exhibits a tropical distribution in Southeast Asia. While commonly encountered, its abundance at the edge of forests and near human settlements raises questions concerning its natural history, particularly diet. This study aims to understand the trophic ecology of the species in two geographically different regions, the first in the north (Kledang Saiong Eco Park, Ipoh, Peninsular Malaysia) and the second in the south (campus of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak in Kota Samarahan and the Sebungan Oil Palm Estate near Bintulu, Sarawak, both in East Malaysia). Stomach contents were collected over seven months in the north (n = 19) and south (n = 25) using a non-lethal (stomach-flushing) technique. Prey from the following eight taxa were identified: Blattodea, Araneae, Diptera, Dermaptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Odonata, and Orthoptera. Termites and cockroaches were the most preferred prey. In situ feeding observations identified previously undocumented prey—a representative of the insect order Neuroptera. This study demonstrates that E. multifasciata displays both active and ambush foraging strategies, presumably influenced by specific prey encountered within the habitat. Prey between regions and seasons appear to show significant differences. Environmental changes such as temperature, precipitation, and seasonal variances between regions may influence prey type distribution and impact dietary patterns
Assessing the Effects of the ASEAN Free Trade Area and ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreements on Manufacturing Industries in ASEAN
Get PDFThis study examines the effects of the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) and the ASEANChina Free Trade Area (ACFTA) on manufacturing trade within ASEAN. It aims to evaluate how
these trade agreements influence the growth of manufacturing trade flows between ASEAN members and China. Using a gravity model and panel data from 1999 to 2015, the analysis
includes ten ASEAN countries, China, and key trading partners. Key factors such as GDP, population, and geographic proximity are considered to determine their impact on bilateral trade. The findings show that AFTA and ACFTA significantly boost trade flows. GDP and population positively influence trade volumes, while geographic barriers, such as landlocked status and greater distance, hinder trade. The study also identifies a complementary
relationship within the regional supply chain, where ASEAN exports lower-value goods to China and imports higher-value products in return. These results highlight the role of trade agreements in promoting economic integration and enhancing ASEAN's standing in the global manufacturing network. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers seeking to maximize the benefits of trade agreements to foster regional economic growth and
cooperation, laying the foundation for stronger trade ties and sustainable development
The effects of coded corrective feedback on students’ writing performance : a scoping review
No full textThe effectiveness of written corrective feedback, WCF, has been much disputed even till the present day. Various strategies of WCF are still being developing with the aim to enhance students’ writing performance especially in the English language. Coded corrective feedback, CCF, is classified as an indirect WCF method, and the studies of CCF are still limited despite more studies emerging in recent years. Most of these limited studies have found CCF to be effective, but a review of CCF studies has not been conducted to date. Therefore, this scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) criteria with the purpose of determining the currently available information on the effects of CCF on students’ writing performance of the English language. A total of 161 citations were identified across three databases, and only 20 articles were qualified for this scoping review. Most of the studies found that CCF is generally effective in enhancing students’ writing performance, overall grammatical accuracy, target
linguistic features accuracy, and syntactic accuracy in writing. A few of the studies also found out that CCF is able to retain its effect in the long-term. Current gaps and future directions for the study of CCF are also discussed in this article
IoT-Enabled Waste Tracking and Recycling Optimization : Enhancing Sustainable Waste Management
Get PDFThe increasing inefficiencies in conventional waste
management systems, including suboptimal recycling rates and
environmental degradation, necessitate innovative solutions.
This paper discusses the development of an Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled waste tracking and recycling optimization system designed to address these challenges and contribute to sustainable waste management practices. The primary focus is on automating the waste classification process and enhancing recycling efficiency through real-time monitoring and data-driven analysis. The methodology integrates IoT technology and machine learning to tackle waste classification and collection inefficiencies. A Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) trained on a dataset of aluminium cans and plastic bottles is deployed for waste identification. Real-time monitoring is enabled by IoT sensors and machine vision algorithms, facilitating precise detection of waste levels and material types. Advanced data preprocessing, such as augmentation and normalization, ensures robust model training, while optimized algorithms guide waste sorting based on classification results. Findings demonstrate that the system achieves over 90%
accuracy in classifying recyclable materials. Real-time data
logging enables analysis of waste composition, container
utilization, and operational patterns, enhancing efficiency and reducing overflow incidents. Data visualization highlights the system’s potential for providing actionable insights to improve recycling practices. In conclusion, this project validates the feasibility of integrating IoT and machine learning to optimize waste management. The system reduces environmental impact and promotes sustainability, offering a scalable framework for addressing global waste challenges
Metagenomic insights into host-specific gastroenteritis bacteria in forest rodents of Sarawak, Borneo : implications for one health surveillance of rodent-borne pathogens
No full textRodents are known to act as reservoirs for zoonotic diseases due to their widespread distribution and synanthropic
nature. Among these, foodborne pathogens capable of causing gastroenteritis in humans are of particular concern,
as rodents can facilitate their transmission through contamination of food sources. Forest-dwelling rodents may
harbour bacterial taxa native to their habitat, posing a risk of zoonotic spillover to nearby human settlements. This
risk is further heightened by the growing prevalence of ecotourism activities, particularly in tropical countries like
Malaysia. In this study, rodent trapping was conducted in selected forested areas adjacent to human settlements
across Sarawak. Nanopore sequencing of the full-length 16 S rRNA gene was conducted on faecal DNA from 46
rodent individuals representing seven different species (Maxomys surifer, M. tajuddinii, M. whiteheadi, Niviventer
cremoriventer, Rattus tanezumi, R. tiomanicus and Sundamys muelleri). A total of ten bacterial species associated
with gastroenteritis were successfully detected. Notable findings in this study include Campylobacter, Salmonella
and Shigella species, which are known to cause bacterial gastroenteritis in humans. Also, the presence of certain
bacterial taxa in specific rodent genera suggests potential host specificity of foodborne pathogens. This study
highlights the potential public health risks caused by rodent-borne bacterial transmission and the importance of
monitoring forest rodents as potential reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens
Exploring The Potential Of Virtual Reality For R Programming Education
Get PDFThis study develops and evaluates a novel Virtual Reality (VR) system for teaching fundamental R programming skills to university students, addressing common learning challenges. Grounded in Experiential Learning Theory and constructivism, our system aims to leverage immersive environments for enhanced knowledge construction. Employing a quasi-experimental design, we compared the efficiency of VR-based and traditional R learning methods among fifty 21-27 year-old participants. Participants were divided into two groups: one utilizing conventional methods and the other the VR system, developed with Unity 3D using a Rapid Application Development (RAD) approach and implemented on Oculus Quest 2 for an immersive experience. Evaluation involved hypothesis tests, the System Usability Scale (SUS), and Presence Questionnaires (PQ). Findings demonstrate that VR-based learning significantly enhanced performance over traditional methods, with a t-statistic of 2.741 (exceeding the t-critical value of 2.011) and a large Cohen's d effect size of 0.78. Additionally, 40% of participants rated the VR system above 68/100, indicating high satisfaction. Overall, the VR method proved to be an effective, convenient, and engaging tool for R coding education
Navigating GenAI in Malaysian Universities : Use, Problems, and Challenges
Get PDFThe growing presence of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in higher education offers promising advantages but also raises critical concerns that deserve close attention. This study explores how GenAI is being used by university communities in Malaysia, with a focus on user behaviour — including usage patterns, motivations, perceived benefits, and perceived risks. Given the limited empirical work in this area, particularly within the Malaysian context, our investigation seeks to provide insights that can inform more thoughtful and responsible integration of AI tools in academia. Using a mixed-methods approach, we collected data from 290 students and academic staff across Malaysian universities. The findings suggest that easy access and reliable, prompt results are major factors encouraging GenAI use. Participants appreciated its ability to save time and enhance problem solving, especially in completing routine academic tasks. However, concerns were also raised — notably around the decline of critical thinking skills, potential for information overload, ethical uncertainties, and increasing dependence on AI. Many respondents pointed out the need for better content verification practices, clearer ethical guidelines, and more institutional support to manage the cognitive demands of frequent GenAI use. Overall, this study highlights the urgent need for universities to develop policies, frameworks, and digital well-being strategies that promote ethical, balanced, and sustainable GenAI use. The findings also lay the groundwork for future research and conceptual models aimed at supporting effective AI adoption in higher education