1359 research outputs found
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Application of rasch model in measuring the quality of health and wellness final exam questions
Get PDFThe assessment of the Health and Wellness module includes two components, 60% for
the continuous examination and 40% for the final examination paper. In this paper we
discussed the performance of students in the final examination paper which comprises
40 MCQs (MCQ). The 40 MCQ were constructed based on the Table of Test
Specification developed by the subject matter experts at the faculty. The difficulty level
of the questions was based on the 5:3:2 proportions. This ratio produces 20 MCQ at
lower difficulty level, 12 MCQ at moderately difficult and 8 MCQ at higher difficulty.
Results of 764 students were analysed based on their ability and item difficulty of the
40 MCQ using RaschWinsteps 4.01 software. Person Item Map Distribution (PIDM)
showed that the item measure is between -3.62 to +4.97 logits and the person measure
is between -1.28 to +4.09 logits. This finding indicated that while person ability
exceeded item difficulty at the lower logit continuum of the Rasch model, at the upper
logit continuum, some items are at higher difficulty level compared to students’ ability.
Item difficulty and separation indices statistics for both person and item are also of
concern in this study. To ensure and enhance reliability and validity of the questions,
it is highly recommended that the subject matter experts review the questions before
applying it again in another exam or depositing it in the item bank system
Documents organisation strategies of Open University Malaysia (OUM) postgraduate students
Get PDFStudents doing research would normally download documents from the Internet on to
their desktop for later use. However, these documents are not easily found again as the
documents are saved indiscriminately in multiple folders on their desktop. This study
aims to investigate students’ document organisation strategies on their desktop
primarily. The study includes 128 Open University Malaysia (OUM) postgraduate
students with personal desktop of at least 10 Portable Documents Format (PDFs) files.
Personal Information Management (PIM) is an interesting research field exploring
individual's activities of acquisition, organisation, maintenance, retrieval and sharing
of information (Lush, 2014). Research has shown that PIM activities have an important
influence on the learning processes, particularly university students engaging in many
documents from various sources (Jacques & Fastrez, 2014). Data regarding their
personal desktop documents were collected using survey method. The questionnaire
was administered using Google Form. Two distinct categories of students’ organisation
strategies were identified in this research, which are piling and filing. A discussion of
these results is provided. We will then recommend personal information management
organisation strategies for postgraduate students doing their research project. A proper
information management organisation strategy will lead to the development of efficient
information management skills of the student
The impact of learner profiling on social skills
Get PDFThe purpose of this study is to describe the use of personality traits dimensions to
predict skills. This paper focuses on the social competency dimension. The study also
explored some basic questions about why learners learn, what are their main barriers
and what are the expected rewards. Two intake groups were used in this study: 1041
September 2017 learners and 278 May 2016 intake students. May 2016 intake students
are in their 4th semester during September 2017. An online instrument was developed
based on literatures. The findings indicated that the top reasons for students to study
were to obtain higher qualification (39.1%), personal growth (25.5%) and career
advancement (23.3%). The findings also confirmed that work and family situation is
the main barrier in adult students learning. All dimensions which include the big five
personality traits, self-efficacy, self-directedness, attitude towards education and
motivation towards achievement show significant correlation to the social competency. (Abstract by authors
Shaping futures of prison inmates and former prisoners via higher education: A conceptual study on social return on investment assessment for stakeholders
Get PDFCompanies largely play a role in corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes by
engaging with stakeholders including employees, customers, investors, communities
and suppliers for financial, environmental and/or social impacts. Contribution quantum
is rarely assessed or calculated when it concerns CSR as it is explicitly recognised as
the willingness of an organisation to contribute to the community within the ethical
norms of charity although strategically CSR can increase revenues by decreasing risks
and costs. This study highlights the unique contributions of various stakeholders who
wish to make positive and sustainable impact on the socially challenged community –
the prisoners. One such engagement is the provision of undergraduate and postgraduate
programmes for prisoners in selected Malaysian prisons by Open University Malaysia
(OUM), with the partnership of the Prisons Department of Malaysia. It is an economic
empowerment programme to rehabilitate and educate its inmates and create
employment opportunities if and when they are released. Social Return On Investment
(SROI) is a method for measuring and communicating values that incorporates social,
environmental and economic impacts to stakeholders. It is an accounting of value
created by the activities and the contributions that made the activity possible. Results
will be expressed in a ratio of total benefits (a sum of all the outcomes) to total
investments (a sum of all costs involved). The purpose of this conceptual study is to
calculate the ratio of Ringgit Malaysia (RM) of social value created for every RM1
spent on its activities. Inmates who are accepted into OUM’s programmes attend
face-to-face tutorials conducted by OUM tutors and sit for examinations in the prison.
They are supported by OUM’s online learning management system where they manage
their studies, submit their assignments and access the digital library. (Abstract by authors
Post-secondary Science Students' Understanding on Mole Concept and Solution Concentration
No full textDue to their abstract nature, the mole concept
and solution concentration are difficult for students to
understand and apply to stoichiometric calculations. This
study was designed to investigate students’ perceptions and
difficulties in solving problems related to the mole concept
and solution concentration. Thirty-eight students (18-19
years old) who were pursuing science related programmes
from a private university college in Malaysia participated
in the study. Students were asked to answer twenty-five
open-ended questions on the mole concept and solution
concentration. Analysis of students’ responses revealed
that they were not able to connect the mole concept with
mass and number of particles. Students were also grappling
to answer problems regarding concentration and dilution.
This study suggests that it is important to determine
whether students’ difficulties to master the concepts are
due to lack of knowledge or the presence of alternative
frameworks so that so that pedagogical instruction can be
modified. This study was part of a larger research project
where students’ responses on this open-ended test will be
used to get a greater generalizability in order to construct
the alternatives to the four-tier multiple choice (4TMC)
instrument to identify students’ alternative frameworks on
these concepts. (Abstract by authors
Social Needs and Intention to Stay by Generation-Y Employees in the Banking Sector in Malaysia: the Mediating Role of Perceived Organizational Support
No full textThis study examined the impact of social needs of
Generation Y employees towards their intention to stay longer in
organizations. The mediating role of perceived organizational
support was also examined. In this quantitative research, data
was collected using a survey method. The study population were
Generation Y employees in the banking sector in Malaysia.
Random sampling was used to collect data from 470 respondents.
Self-administered questionnaires were delivered by hand.
Structural equation modelling was used to test the relationships.
The findings revealed that Gen Y employees’ social needs were
positively related to their intention to stay. It was found that
perceived organizational support mediated the relationship
between the two constructs. The findings presented new insights
into how Gen Y employees social needs can contribute to
improving their intention to stay in the banking sector. Given the
paucity of research in the context of the role of social needs and
perceived organizational support, this study provides an
understanding to organizations on the influence of social needs
and perceived organizational support in improving retention of
Gen-Y employees. (Abstract by authors
Impact of Emotional Needs on Intention to Stay and the Mediating Role of Perceived Organizational Support.an Empirical Study of Gen Y Employees’ in the Banking Sector in Malaysia
No full textIt is anticipated that over the next 10 years, the
banking sector would require a workforce of about 200,000. Gen
Y employees makes up about 40% of the current workforce in
Malaysia. This number is expected to increase to 75% within a
relatively short span of time. The present study examined the
influence of emotional needs of Gen Y employees towards
intention to stay and the mediating role of perceived
organizational support. This was a quantitative research that
used a survey method. Data was collected from a sample of 470
Gen Y employees in the banking sector in Malaysia. The findings
revealed that emotional needs had a significant impact on
intention to stay. Perceived organizational support was found to
mediate the relationship between the two. The findings have
significantly contributed to the advancement of knowledge in the
emotional needs and intention to stay of Gen Y employees in the
banking sector. The significant and positive impact of emotional
needs and perceived organizational support suggests the
importance of these factors in retention of Gen Y employees. The
paper's primary contribution is that it provides an understanding
that emotional needs and the mediating role of perceived
organizational support have an impact on improving the
intention to stay of Gen Y employees in the banking sector in
Malaysia. From the practical implications perspective,
organizations need to implement policies and procedures to help
lessen employees quitting intentions. The results of this study
suggest that organizations can implement policies covering the
employee emotional needs and employees’ perception that their
work and contributions are valued. With current trends of
globalizations and diversity, the finding of this study can be
beneficial to improve retention of Gen Y employees in other
countries. (Abstract by authors
Continuous quality improvement in module development in an ODL institution
Get PDFOpen University Malaysia (OUM) is an open distance learning (ODL) institution;
adopting the blended learning pedagogy which provides flexibility and timeeffectiveness
for self-paced study to its learners. Learners do self-learning most of the
time. This calls for quality learning materials to support the learning process in an ODL
setting. OUM responded to this call by leveraging on Internet-based technology to
deliver educational content such as e-modules, video lectures, e-forums etc. to its
learners. Learners can now access the University’s e-content (2,431 e-modules and 288
video lectures) anytime, anywhere, via OUM’s learning management system,
myINSPIRE. Using descriptive and inferential statistics as the main analytical tool,
this study aims to gain insight into learners’ feedback on one of the core learning
materials – the e-modules. Responses from learners from various programmes and
clusters were collected via online surveys for two semesters (January 2018 and May
2018). A total of 238 and 488 learners responded to the January and May surveys
respectively. This paper discusses thee-modules in 10 dimensions from the
instructional design perspective encompassing areas such as the design, formatting,
self-check and activity questions, organisation of the content, ease of reading, graphics
as well as overall satisfaction. The results of this study would be able to provide some
insights to the education provider on the quality of the e-modules from the instructional
design perspective. (Abstract by authors
Online examination for takaful basic examination – a license to practice certificate: a Malaysian case
Get PDFThe purpose of this study is to examine the extent of effectiveness of the online
examination using electronic learning management system (e-LMS) services in the
Malaysian Takaful sector for Takaful Basic Examination (TBE). TBE is conducted
through online examination which is a web-based examination system (ES). The TBE
is an entry qualification for all those who intend to become registered takaful agents in
the financial services industry promoting takaful products and services. The term
Takaful refers to the concept of Islamic insurance based on mutual cooperation, where
both risks and funds are shared between the insured and insurer. TBE is a mandatory
license-to-practice qualification to enhance the competency and professionalism of
takaful agents. It is also an induction for individuals who intend to pursue a career in
Takaful. The study also aims to address issues concerning quality of services by
focusing on the following: ease of use, information security and reliability and its role
in influencing customer adoption of electronic services, as well as the mechanisms of
monitoring and control over these services. The research employed the analytic and
descriptive methodology, by collecting secondary data on candidates sitting for the
examination. This was then compared to the passing rate from the year 2012 until 2016.
The findings show that online examinations have succeeded in attaining significant
customer satisfaction by improving electronic services, facilitating electronic
transactions, improving processing performance and enhancing the specifications of
electronic services. In addition, the Takaful institutions have achieved effective
communication with their customers as well as speeding up of applications. However,
there is an absence of awareness and guidance for candidates about the e-examination
system. The results of this research led to some recommendations to improve the
electronic services provided by Takaful institutions in order to enhance customer and
institution’s satisfaction. (Abstract by authors
Monitoring students’ metacognition in KSSR classroom
Get PDFThe ability to think critically is essential for students to face the challenges of the 21st
century. Students should be equipped with the skills as those skills will help them to
solve problems, make wise decisions and analyse information. One of the approaches
to cultivate critical thinking is by monitoring their metacognition. Thus, the purpose of
the study is to explore the methods of monitoring students’ metacognition used by
teachers in KSSR (Primary School Standard Curriculum; Kurikulum Standard Sekolah
Rendah) classroom. Six primary school teachers were purposely selected in the study.
Qualitative design was utilised where they were interviewed separately and probing
was done to elucidate or illuminate the issue of study. Observation was also done as a
method for methodology trigulation. The data from both sources was recorded and
transcribed. Data coding was used to analyse the data where the transcribed text was
segmented and labelled to form descriptions, main ideas as well as themes. These
emerging themes were analysed and interpreted. The findings suggest that the studentcentred
approach exercised in the curriculum has enabled students to share and discuss
information among them. The teaching techniques which include questioning
approach, asking students to predict outcome and provide reasons were also employed.
Formative assessment such as indirect questioning with diverse assessments were also
exercised in monitoring students’ thinking about thinking or metacognition. (Abstract by authors