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An Intelligent Model Using Excel Spread Sheet in a Manufacturing System
No full textThe research integrates the combination of mathematical modeling and intelligent modeling concept to represent a manufacturing system in the Excel spread sheet interface. The mathematical modeling uses two types of approaches, which use IE variables and the development of mathematical theorem using deduction methodology from the dynamic manufacturing system. Mathematical language and mathematical reasoning technique through programming in spread sheet are used to build an intelligent modeling system which optimizes targeted inventory level in order to response without human involvement
Challenges before Open and Distance Learning: Global Perspective and the Experience of Open University Malaysia
Get PDFOpen and distance learning (ODL) has played a significant role in the transformation of higher education from an elite privilege to a democratised opportunity, particularly in view of economic competition and the global drive towards a knowledge-based community. As a novel approach in delivering education, ODL has been able to grant an unprecedented number of people the opportunity to obtain a university degree. Through ODL, it has become a reality for many different kinds of individuals – from marginalised groups to senior citizens and the physically disadvantaged – to partake in higher education.
With this newfound educational access, many are now able to play a greater role in nation-building by creating, sharing and mobilising knowledge that is critical for the country’s economic well-being. While this has certainly had positive bearing in many countries, the challenge for ODL is to maintain itself as a viable and feasible educational pathway. It is vital that the development of ODL is accompanied by the appropriate means to ensure that it can be sustainable, accessible, equitable, cost-effective and quality-assured.
The progress of ODL is particularly important in the developing world, where an affordable and flexible access to higher education is commonly seen as the only way to cater to rising demands. Many of the world’s mega universities are from China, India, Indonesia and other Asian countries. Significantly, most of these are also ODL institutions or open universities. The challenges facing them are continuous, and they must be innovative in order to overcome them and help ODL to spread and develop even further.
This paper will explore what the challenges encompass and what features can be worked into the ODL approach to counter them. These issues will be deliberated from a global perspective as well as from the unique viewpoint of Open University Malaysia (OUM). As Malaysia’s premier open university, OUM has faced its own set of challenges and this paper will share how it has strived to remain in stride with current trends and pressures. The progress of ODL within the last several decades, despite these challenges, is an optimistic indication that a democratised global learning community can certainly evolve in the near future. (Abstract by author
Global Outreach in Open and Distance Learning: The Internationalisation of Open University Malaysia
Get PDFThe very foundation of open and distance learning (ODL) has been
intrinsically linked to the creation of broader access and better
opportunities in higher education. In the last several decades since the
internet revolution, ODL has made tremendous strides in granting an
unprecedented number of people with the opportunity to obtain a
university degree. This new phenomenon has created a learning
community that can interact, share and collaborate outside traditional
notions of time and space; thus, helping to create and strengthen global
competencies for a world that places ever greater esteem on the
attainment of higher education.
Central to this effort to build a global learning community is the move
towards cross-border provision and internationalisation. The open and
borderless nature of ODL means that open universities are free to
explore internationalisation as a means to expand their operations by
offering academic programmes overseas. For Malaysia’s premier ODL
institution, Open University Malaysia (OUM) takes its internationalisation
efforts seriously. With a delivery system and various e-learning
initiatives designed to provide ease and flexibility through ODL, OUM
has been able to stamp its mark as a viable educational provider in
several countries such as Yemen, Bahrain, the Maldives and Ghana.
OUM has also recently launched a collaboration with an educational
institution in Hungary.
The university has certainly come a long way since its strategic
partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education in Saudi Arabia for the
establishment of their National e-Learning Centre (NeLC) in Riyadh four
years ago. Through these endeavours, OUM hopes to play a key role as
Malaysia forges ahead in its drive towards a global educational
excellence. This paper will illustrate OUM’s internationalisation efforts
and examine the factors that have been vital in the success of this
international outreach. This paper will also explore the various facets of
ODL in reaching out to a global community. (Abstract by author
Developing Quality Learning Materials for Effective Teaching and Learning in an ODL environment: Making the jump from print modules to online modules
Get PDFThis paper highlights the need to develop quality learning materials for effective teaching
and learning in an online and distance learning (ODL) environment. This is especially
important today as ODL institutions mushroom and compete on an increasingly global
platform. While this has helped to widen access to education, it also means that more
attention needs to be paid to the quality of teaching and learning materials if ODL
institutions wish to continue attracting learners, reduce attrition rate and stay relevant.
Attempts must be made to come up with good learning material which can offer ODL
learners a fulfilling and enriching learning experience. At Open University Malaysia, a
number of e-learning initiatives have been launched towards this end. One of these is the
online, hypertext-linked or html modules. The first phase of this project has already been
implemented. The rationale for this latest e-learning initiative is outlined. The paper also
comes up with a taxonomy of best practice beliefs which identify the characteristics html
modules should have if they are to be truly effective. It is hoped that this will provide
some sort of benchmark, or standards, for html modules to strive for, as well as a set of
criteria for a formative evaluation of the modules. Ultimately, this may provide
guidelines for improving html modules and useful pointers for fine tuning this e-learning
initiative in the future. (Author's abstract
Social media and the teaching of Mathematics in a lifelong learning environment
Get PDFSharing information and connecting with others has proven to be a powerful tool in
education. Learners collaborate with each other through social media to learn more on
certain subjects, to test and share out ideas and theories, to understand facts, and to solve
problems among peers and teachers. At Open University Malaysia, all courses including
mathematics are delivered via a blend of face-to-face tutorials; self-managed learning using
the print/html modules and e-learning via the institution’s learning management system,
MyVLE. Mathematics is one of the subjects most adult learners find challenging. Some
learners develop a fear or phobia of mathematics either because of negative experiences in
their past or lack of self-confidence. In an effort to improve the teaching of mathematics,
Blog and Facebook are used. The main aim of using these social media is to establish social
networks by fostering communication and knowledge exchange among learners, peers and
tutors in a more informal manner. Such interaction among learners and tutors offer
assistance, orientation and support and ultimately enhances the learning processes by
creating a positive working atmosphere. This paper dwells on our experience in using social
media to improve the teaching of mathematics in a lifelong learning environment. (Abstract by authors
Tahap pencapaian murid-murid tahun enam dalam modul khatam al-Quran j-QAF: satu kajian di sekolah kebangsaan daerah Kuala Muda, Yan
Get PDFKajian ini dilakukan ke atas 3443 orang murid daripada 23 buah sekolah kebangsaan
di dalam daerah Kuala Muda Yan kedah. Mereka terdiri daripada murid lelaki dan
perempuan generasi pertama program j-QAF kohort 2005. Tujuan utama kajian ini
adalah untuk mengetahui tahap pencapaian literasi al-Quran secara keseluruhan
daripada murid berdasarkan kepada Modul Khatam al-Quran j-QAF. Penyelidikan ini
juga dijalankan untuk mengetahui apakah terdapat perbezaan tahap kebolehan bacaan
al-Quran dikalangan murid berdasarkan jantina, lokasi sekolah dan skor markah
bacaan mereka. Selain itu kajian ini cuba melihat peningkatan prestasi murid yang
berlaku antara enam bulan pertama persekolahan dan enam bulan kedua persekolahan.
Data yang dikumpul dianalisis menggunakan SPSS (Statistical Package For Social
Science) versi 17 dan Mcrosoft Exel 2007. Analisis deskriptif digunakan untuk
memberi tafsiran kepada data dan seterusnya menjawab persoalan kajian. Analisis
mendapati 81% murid telah menguasai bacaan al-quran dan 18.4% murid masih di
dalam sukatan Iqra satu hingga enam. Kemampuan murid dalam penguasaan bacaan
al-Quran berada ditahap yang memuaskan. Kajian ini juga mendapati wujudnya
peningkatan yang positif dalam literasi al-Quran murid antara enam bulan pertama
persekolahan dan enam bulan kedua persekolahan. Walaubagaimanapun, matlamat
utama program ini untuk 100% khatam al-Quran belum tercapai kerana masih
terdapat 0.78% murid yang gagal menghabiskan sukatan khatam al-Quran bersama
guru. Jumlah ini walaupun kecil, namun ia memerlukan perhatian segera agar tidak
berlaku lagi keciciran pada masa akan datang. (Abstract by author
Learner demography and perception & attitude towards the use of English as a medium of instruction in predicting academic achievement
Get PDFTiru Macam Kami : kalau kami boleh berjaya, mengapa anda tidak?
No full textBuku ini menceritakan kisah dua orang insan yang cukup istimewa. Mereka dikurniakan oleh Allah SWT dengan keupayaan yang sungguh luar biasa, walaupun masing mengalami kecacatan penglihatan. Kita seharusnya menjadikan kehebatan mereka sebagai contoh teladan. Kelemahan dan kecacatan yang mereka alami tidak sedikit pun melemahkan semangat mereka untuk berjaya. Mereka yang dimaksudkan adalah Dr. Wong Huey Siew dan saudara Mohd. Nor bin Don.
Buku ini memaparkan kisah benar dua orang istimewa cacat penglihatan. Cerita mereka wajar anda baca kerana ia akan memberi banyak suntikan semangat dan motivasi kepada anda. Semangat perjuangan mereka amat tinggi dan cukup mengagumkan. Walaupun dalam keadaan yang serba kekurangan mereka masih mampu untuk berjaya seperti rakan-rakan mereka lain yang normal. Jangan lepaskan peluang ini untuk membaca kisah perjuangan mereka berdua ini. Mereka yang buta kini mampu untuk bergelar graduan, anda pula bagaimana