1,721,031 research outputs found
Inventing new item analysis techniques for effective item bank system / Chan Yuen Fook … [et al.]
Get PDFWith the suggestion of abolition of centralised public examinations like the primary six UPSR in 2012 and the lower secondary three PMR in 2015 and a global trend towards decentralizing summative assessment, there is increased attention given to formative school and classroom based assessment. Therefore, to fulfil this need, this study aimed at developing and evaluating a user-friendly electronic item analysis and item banking software with the name of SuperSeTIA. At the same time, this study also sought to identify the relationships between teachers' competency (knowledge and skills), perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude and the intention to use the proposed system (SuperSeTIA) among the targeted teachers through a three stage evaluation process. In line with these objectives, a mixedmethod descriptive-correlational research design was chosen to describe the variables studied as well as the relationships between the variables of interest. Therefore, instruments such as questionnaires, semi-structured interview questions and checklists were employed to gather data pertinent to the study. The findings from this study revealed that respondents with acquired basic computer skills are ready to use a computer-based item analysis software to assist them in their tasks although their knowledge relating to the different types of item analysis software in the market are limited. The findings also suggested that there is a tendency among the respondents towards using technology when they believe that it can enhance their job performance. The final two stages of evaluation showed that SuperSETIA managed to fulfil the ease of use criteria although in the initial evaluation stage the respondents did indicate that it was difficult to use. Overall findings from three stages of evaluation indicated that even though SuperSeTIA is a new technology, the respondents held positive perception towards SuperSeTIA with moderate intention to use it. With regards to the relationships between the variables, the results suggested that perceived usefulness but not perceived ease of use, and attitude towards computer use were the most determinant factors in the intention to use technology. The perceived ease of use and intention to use SuperSeTIA were also identified at the moderate level even though there was no significant relationship identified between perceived ease of use and intention to use SuperSeTIA. These findings highlighted the positive impact of the software and respondents' positive attitude towards the software. In addition to that, this study also demonstrated that SuperSeTIA has fulfilled the basic criteria of technology acceptance model (TAM). In relation to the usefulness of SuperSeTIA, it was indicated that generally respondents were satisfied with the effectiveness criteria of the software, and the program content of the software. Majority of the respondents also agreed that the software is able to prepare teachers for real-world item analysis and teaching enhancement. Additionally, this study has helped the researchers identify some key issues related to the user interface, audience appeal, navigation and presentation of the software which proposes an enhancement to the user interface and navigation in the program. Last but not least, it is believed that with further exposure and training, SuperSETIA can be widely accepted and used among the target audience. Therefore, it is crucial for the ministry, state education departments and district education offices to work hand in hand towards promoting item analysis and ICT skills among the teachers because this on the long run, will benefit all the stakeholders and help the nation achieve its aspirations for the education sector
Nexus of inquiry-based instruction, active learning and formative assessment in education / Chan Yuen Fook
Get PDFIn today’s flexible learning and virtual space environments, the way forward for leading change has witnessed a shift towards inquiry-based instruction, active learning and formative assessment. This has also been well articulated by the many initiatives from the Malaysian Ministry of Education through the launch of two national education blueprints. As the nation journeys into 21st century, practitioners in Malaysia are taking incremental steps in shifting from teacher-centred to student-centred learning environments in a bid to prepare millennials for the keen competitive markets of tomorrow. Such a move, warrants a critical and timely move towards the adoption of a more comprehensive and effective structure of curriculum which focuses on inquiry-based instruction and active learning approaches that are able to provide on-going constructive feedback via formative assessment that can positively affect learners and their learning experience. This paper discusses two main issues. First, it deliberates inquiry-based instruction, active learning and formative assessment. Then it discusses the nexus of relationship among the variables with evidence of empirical studies and concludes with some recommendations for both universities and educational practitioners alike to enhance teaching and learning experience in their respective classrooms
Formal university education and job competency of new engineers in automotive industry in Malaysia / Chan Yuen Fook and Selvam Balaraman
Get PDFThe main purpose of this research is to verify the relevancy of knowledge and skills acquired by engineering graduates from university to automotive industry in Malaysia. Hence, this paper aims to identify to what extent the knowledge and skills acquired by the new engineers in the university have equipped them with job competency in the automotive industry. This study adopts a qualitative case study method to analyze and compare data collected from a private engineering college, a public university and an automotive manufacturing industry. The identified target groups are one human resource manager, six new engineering graduates, and 4 university lecturers. The findings of this study suggested that the stakeholders, university, students as well as industries are aware that it is not easy for new engineers to fit into industries right after graduation. The study emphasizes the important role of the stakeholders namely; university, new engineer and industry, to enhance the acquisition of knowledge and skills for better job competency of new engineers at the beginning of their career at industry. The results revealed certain attributes showing strong linkage between university education and job performance. In particular, students’ attitude, interpersonal skills, lack of manufacturing knowledge, lecturers’ industrial exposure, collaboration between university and industry, poor execution of internship, poor training needs analysis and incompetent coach at industry were among the attributes that have high influence on the ability of new engineers coping with the job challenges. The study has contributed to a better understanding of job competency and the challenges faced by new engineers at the chosen automotive industry
Transition from university to industry: challenges faced by new engineers in the automotive industry / Chan Yuen Fook and Selvam Balaraman
Get PDFThe Malaysian automotive manufacturing industry is growing exponentially, but it faces shortage of the right skilled automotive manufacturing professionals to propel the industry to an unprecedented height. This research hypothesised that there are several challenges faced by new engineers in executing daily task due to knowledge gap. New engineers are not guided and trained sufficiently to undertake daily task to be more productive. Therefore, this research aims to identify the knowledge gap and challenges faced by new engineers in the automotive company in Malaysia. The scope of this research is confined to the theories of Human Capital, which relate to the capabilities and skills of an employee to improve job performance. A qualitative case study method has been employed for the analysis and comparison of data from public and private universities and automotive manufacturing industry in Malaysia. The identified target groups were human resource manager, manufacturing managers, new engineers and lecturers. This study concludes that training in industry has failed at certain aspects to produce new employees that meet current competency requirements, lead to the deterioration of employee work performance. In conclusion, this research validates the existence of a knowledge gap and acknowledges the need to overcome challenges faced by new engineers during their transition from academia to industry
Evaluation of EzyStat3Q model app for statistical analysis learning in higher education / Chan Yuen Fook and Suthagar Narasuman
Get PDFStatistics may be viewed as an intimidating subject for students in universities and a stumbling block for researchers to complete their research projects. Nevertheless, researchers at Harvard University view statisticians as one of the most promising jobs for the next ten years. Henceforth, statistics should be seen as a chance for a better future. According to Calson, Keith and Winquist (2011), “what students do and how they think about what they did determine whether a given active learning approach will be successful” (p. 3). Therefore, a product referred to as the EzyStat3Q Model which is a hands-on guide developed by the writers of this paper to lead university students and researchers to learn the tricks of statistics quickly through a multi modal approach is evaluated. EzyStat3Q Model is a quick and interactive learning model which comprises MOOCs, Mobile App, Interactive Multimedia PowerPoint, e-Book, and Quick Learning Print Module. This creative statistical learning model is expected to lead university students and researchers to learn the tricks of statistics quickly. This model utilizes the concept of multimodality and built-in quick references to trigger active learning through a constructivist approach among students and lecturers in the learning and teaching of statistics. In order to obtain feedback from users, a descriptive research was conducted with two intact groups of 45 masters students at the Faculty of Education of a public university in Malaysia. The data collected via questionnaires were analysed descriptively to identify mean and standard deviation for each item. Besides that, qualitative data from the interviews with five students were used to support the quantitative data collected from questionnaires. The findings indicated the EzyStats3Q Model App has acquired certain levels of quality in terms of ease of use, user interface, audience appeal, effectiveness, presentation, program content, and documentation. The paper has identified some important implications and recommendations for the improvement of this product at a higher level
Integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into university teaching and learning: a case study / Chan Yuen Fook and Gurnam Kaur Sidhu
No full textOver the past decade the push for academics to develop competencies in the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in teaching and learning has increased. Within the Malaysian context unfortunately, until now there has not been a holistic and conclusive study on the integration of ICT in higher education. This exploratory
study examined the integration of ICT among academics for the
enhancement of university teaching and learning. A descriptivecorrelational
research methodology that employed a survey
questionnaire was used in this case study. The data was analyzed
using means, standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, and correlation.
The findings indicated that the ICT facilities in the higher instituion
left much to be desired and the usage of ICT in teaching among the
academics was not at a satisfactory level. Even though a majority
of the acdemics are aware of the many benefits of ICT there still
exists academics who hold firm to the importance of face-to-face
interaction and the didactic role of the instructors. The findings
also revealed that the integration of ICT into the classroom focuses
mainly on teaching and learning rather than the technical knowhow
about computers themselves and how this technology helps
support users to participate in the integration of ICT into teaching
and learning. However, most of the respondents have shown a keen willingness to adopt ICT in their future teaching and learning
processes once proper training and relevant technical support are
provided. The findings, in general, can help lecturers, IT staff and
university management to manage the integration of ICT in university
teaching and learning in a more organized manner. The findings
also would enable the faculty to be more responsive to the needs of
staff and students to effectively address the critical problems related
to the integration of technology into university teaching and learning
in ways that are both contextualized and authentic
Exploring student voice for learner-driven learning / Gurnam Kaur Sidhu, Lim Peck Choo and Chan Yuen Fook
Get PDFCurrent pedagogy has witnessed a paradigm shift towards a more learnercentred approach where the individual learner is the focus of teaching rather than the body of knowledge. As principles guiding learner-centred learning become more defined, therein lays a critical call to take heed of student voice for more effective delivery systems and teacher growth. Therefore, this paper explored student voice regarding the implementation of an English Language course offered to students under the Mengubah Destini Anak Bangsa (MDAB) programme in UiTM, Malaysia. The study involved 341 pre-diploma students from three UiTM branch campuses. Data were collected using a questionnaire and nine focus group interviews. Findings revealed that students held rather positive and favourable views towards the implementation of the program with regards to lecturer preparation, language use, lesson presentation, classroom management and classroom atmosphere. Inferential statistics revealed that there was no significant difference in the students’ perceptions with regards to gender and discipline of study but a significant difference was seen with regards to language proficiency and campus locality. Students also highlighted concerns regarding student language proficiency, contact hours, the course curriculum, assignments, teaching staff and learning within a homogenous group. Students called for a more learner-driven curriculum that would address their needs and build upon their knowledge and skills. So that they could become more holistic and confident tertiary students. The findings implied that student voice cannot be ignored as it has a role for effective feedback and learner-driven learning
Substance abuse prevention among secondary school students in Malaysia / Chan Yuen Fook ... [et al.]
Get PDFSubstance abuse is an act of misuse or excessive use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs which has become one of the world’s leading problems today. The number of adolescents involved in illegal substances and illicit drugs in Malaysia has increased over the years. Statistics reveal that almost 80% of the students claim that they began smoking while still in school. Since the figure is alarming, it is important to investigate this matter.
Therefore, the objectives of this study are to identify problems of substance abuse among secondary school students and also investigate the effectiveness of prevention measures that have been implemented in secondary schools. A mixed-method approach was chosen to triangulate the data obtained in this study. Five different instruments namely teacher questionnaire, student questionnaire, checklist, interview questions, and quiz were used to collect both the quantitative and qualitative data. A total of 18 high risk secondary schools were selected from Selangor, WPKL, Penang, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka. Finally, a total
of 270 teachers and 1800 students from the 18 high risk schools were selected from these states
Promoting empathy using design thinking in project based learning and as a classroom culture / Adila Md Hashim, Sharipah Ruzaina Syed Aris and Chan Yuen Fook.
Get PDFThis paper explores the benefits of empathy skill for school students. The encouragement of empathy skill in school was discussed in two situations: 1. Using design thinking approach for project-based learning and 2. Promoting as a classroom culture. Empathy is an act of understanding, being conscious and experiencing the feeling and thoughts of other people. It is the key to inspire social innovation and diminishing prejudice against others. Empathy skill has affected our feeling of wellbeing and human centeredness to provide an understanding of people’s needs. By integrating design thinking process in school, students will equip themselves with empathy-related skills such as communication, observation, decision-making and positive relationship with others as part of their active learning process. Adapting design thinking in project-based learning requires students to be aware and concern in exploring human-driven design which leads to user satisfaction for any problem’s solution. Empathy also has the advantage of forming a positive classroom culture and sustaining a good teacher student relationship. This paper discussed how the design thinking process can promote empathy skill during project-based learning for humanizing decision-making and the opportunity for empathy integration in the classroom to engage in positive collaboration and teamwork
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