IIUM Journal of Educational Studies
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Determining the Potential of Graduate Analytics Based on the iCGPA System: A Systematic Literature Review
Get PDFThis study was conducted to address the issue of gathering information to track the career and accomplishments of graduates for quality improvement in higher education. Due to the lack of a convenient method to gather information using an efficient mechanism, this study reviewed graduate analytics based on the iCGPA system with the primary aim of examining its potential utility in such a system, and vice versa. A systematic literature review was conducted to integrate the relevant academic literature related to graduate analytics and iCGPA system. Using the PRISMA method, we identified 160 different articles, but only 125 met the specified inclusion criteria. Our analysis of the accepted articles to determine the potential of graduate analytics in iCGPA system, and vice versa, produced zero results where no intersection of the two topics could be found in the research literature from 2011 to 2018. Our findings indicate an acute lack of research in these two areas. However, we believe this gap can be minimized since there are already higher education institutions in Malaysia that are currently implementing the iCGPA system. The implementation could inform us regarding how graduate analytics can be used to expand the value of iCGPA for improving the quality of Malaysian higher education graduates.
Keywords: Graduate analytics, iCGPA system, systematic literature review, graduate tracer studies, PRISMA metho
“Why The Scale Goes Up Again?” A Socio-Ecological Exploration of Weight Loss Challenges among Female University Students
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to explore the weight management and weight maintenance challenges experienced by obese female university students through a support group that acted as an intervention programme. The study is a phenomenological research involving four female students of a public university in Malaysia who were having problems with weight loss. They were selected with three inclusion criteria: female, had a body mass index of ≥ 30 kgm-2 and was currently seeking or had previously tried a method of losing weight. Interview protocols were used to guide interaction in the support group, and data were collected from regular focus group discussions occurring in the support group, journal writing, and products of the support group activities. Verbatims were transcribed and “meaning units” were derived from significant overlapping ideas. Using the socio-ecological model, the challenges of weight management among the participants were identified to exist at the individual, interpersonal and community levels. Of these three, the individual level was noted to have the most prominent number of challenge factors caused by poor self-control and the participants’ psychological states. Various issues related to poor self-control were the most frequently occurring themes among the participants who wanted to lose weight. In view of the findings, counsellors, dietitians or healthcare providers need to consider counselling techniques that can empower clients to manage their thoughts and emotions effectively as this will increase their self-efficacy in self-control.
Keywords: Weight loss, weight management, challenges in sustainable weight loss, poor self-control, sabotaging thoughts, socio-ecological mode
The State of Internet-Assisted Language Learning (IALL) Knowledge among English Major Students in a Yemeni Public University
Get PDFThe research aimed to examine the state of Yemeni English major students’ knowledge of Internet-assisted language learning (IALL). Two types of knowledge were assessed, i.e. subjective knowledge and objective knowledge. The study also sought to examine differences in these two types of knowledge among students by gender and discipline of study, and whether subjective knowledge and objective knowledge were significantly correlated. Simple random sampling was used to select a sample of 598 English language students from education- and non-education study programs of a Yemeni public university during the 2017 academic year. Data were collected using two separate instruments: a self-developed IALL questionnaire for objective knowledge, and an adapted subjective knowledge scale. Descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests and bivariate correlation were carried out with SPSS software Version 24. The results show a moderate level of perceived IALL knowledge, but lower levels of actual knowledge on various aspects of IALL, particularly with respect to tools mostly used for oral language practices, such as Skype, Busuu.com, Live Mocha and SharedLingo. Gender influenced perceived knowledge – with female students reporting significantly higher knowledge levels – but not objective knowledge, while discipline of study influenced both knowledge types in favor of students pursuing non-education degree programs. A significant but inverse relationship was discovered between subjective and objective knowledge. The results emphasize the need to start focusing on adopting IALL tools by English learners in universities across Yemen.
Keywords: Internet-assisted language learning, IALL tools and resources, perceived knowledge, objective knowledge, Yemeni university student
Influence of Curriculum and Demographic Factors on Somali Students’ Civic Outcomes
Get PDFSomalia is one of the most fiercely divided countries in the world. The people of Somalia face an identity crisis as they have more than one identity (i.e., clan, national, and religious). In addition to this, the development of good Somali citizens is impeded by the absence of a nation to belong to, as there are clan-based states, a lack of clarity as to whether the nation serves the needs of individuals or clans, and an absence of a feeling of obligation towards the nation. These various issues have led to an imperative need to explore how education as a whole and the curriculum, specifically, can build good Somali citizens with a sense of national identity and a participative attitude. Therefore, the current study investigated whether curriculum can be a panacea for the above-mentioned issues. A total of 400 Somali students in their final year of secondary education participated in this study in a cross-sectional survey. The data were analysed using multiple regression analysis. The study found that formal curriculum is a statistically significant contributor to civic development, and is potentially influential in building good citizenship and a national identity in students, hence paving the way for their progressive civic participation in the future. In addition, non-formal curriculum significantly influenced two out of three civic outcomes, i.e., national identity and civic participation. Male and female Somali students differed in their notions of national identity and good citizenship, but demonstrated the same level of or tendency for civic participation. Interestingly, parental education did not exercise any significant influence on any of the civic outcomes. Based on the results, the study recommends that a systematic analysis of the Somali education curriculum be conducted to properly assess the richness and depth of its content in relation to the required standards and coverage of civic education
Students’ Acceptance of Online Rubric Marking Assessment in an Islāmic and Asian Civilizations Course at the Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP)
Get PDFAbstractThere are many tools available over the Internet providing educators with the platform to implement online rubric marking assessment (ORMA). However, only a few success stories and studies about its usage among Malaysian higher education institutions have been reported, particularly in general courses such as Islāmic and Asian Civilizations (“TITAS”). Hence, this study aims to investigate students’ acceptance of an online rubric marking assessment of TITAS course at Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP). The study is descriptive using a self-administered online survey which deployed through UMP's official learning management system (LMS). The participants comprised 152 students out of a population of 1,590 students who took the TITAS course in Semester II of the 2016/ 2017 session. The analysis shows that in general the students were ready and very positive towards the use of ORMA due to its effectiveness and impact on their learning. Although there were many challenges in implementing ORMA, generally it was worth implementing in transforming higher education in an effort to embrace Industrial Revolution 4.0.Keywords: Performance appraisal, classroom observation, self-appraisal, lesson planning, job performance, instructional leadership, Islamic boarding school
Identifying Strategic Issues for Lecturer Development at the Ar-Raniry State Islamic University Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Get PDFRapid external changes demanded that the Ar-Raniry State Islamic University in Banda Aceh, Indonesia reformulate a strategic plan for its lecturer development that is appropriate and relevant to the current time and situation. This study aims to explore the steps taken by the university in identifying strategic issues as guidelines for the formulation of its lecturer development strategy. Using the qualitative case study approach, the data for the current study were collected via semi-structured interviews and document analysis. Six informants from the university’s top management were purposively selected for the interviews. The interview data were then compared and analyzed with relevant document reviews to finally draw conclusions on the steps taken. The findings revealed that several strategic issues were considered to inform the steps taken in formulating a strategic plan to develop lecturer competency at the Ar-Raniry State Islamic University. The steps included revitalizing university management, improving university policy development, utilizing the paradigm of scientific development, and promoting local wisdom of Acehnese people
A Case Study of How Malay ESL Learners Build Vocabulary Using Multimedia Technology
Get PDFThis study explored the process of how Malay primary ESL learners build English vocabulary using multimedia technology. With this purpose, students’ choices of multimedia technology tools and the reasons behind the choices were investigated. The qualitative approach was employed in this study by conducting semi-structured interviews with three Malay primary school students aged 12 years old from a public school in Kuala Lumpur. The findings revealed that the students chose three main types of multimedia tools namely audio, audio-visual, and video games. The participants revealed three reasons behind their preferences of the multimedia tools which are acquisition of additional information, presence of visuals, and convenience. It was also found that the process of vocabulary-building using the preferred multimedia tools can be organised into four stages namely (i) first encounter, (ii) cognitive dissonance, (iii) establishing equilibrium, and (iv) remembering. The findings suggest English teachers to include multimedia tools in the teaching of vocabulary because it facilitates the process of vocabulary building among students as the words are learned in context and enhanced with visuals
Exploring MOOC Acceptance and Readiness among Postgraduate Students at a Higher Learning Institution
Get PDFThe pattern of learning in recent years have been impacted by the rise of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). The impact of MOOCs on the field of education have been investigated by many researches. MOOCs, since their inception have attracted a considerable amount of attention within higher education. This study therefore examines the extent of IIUM postgraduate students’ awareness knowledge of MOOCs, how-to knowledge of MOOCs, actual usage of MOOCs, perceived usefulness of MOOCs, attitude towards MOOCs and intention to use MOOCs for academic purposes. The research question concentrated on the extent of the students’ awareness knowledge, how-to knowledge, perceived usefulness, attitude, actual usage, and intention to use MOOCs for academic purposes. One hundred and ninety respondents were involved in this study. The analysis procedure made use of descriptive statistics to find the percentages, frequencies, mean and standard deviation of data. The findings reveal that majority of the respondents do not have awareness knowledge and how-to knowledge of MOOCs. It also shows very few respondents have actual usage of MOOCs. However, majority of the respondents have positive attitude towards MOOCs and majority of them show their intentions to use MOOCs for academic purposes. The study reveals a vital implication on how IIUM ought to scheme policies to increase adequate awareness of MOOCs and more importantly its usefulness to students