The status of knowledge, attitude, and behaviour of postgraduate students towards Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)

As we race against time to save our dying home, it is more important than ever to start doing something that will help us prolong our stay on this planet. One of the efforts is by having a sustainable development (SD). United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2005 have developed ESD programme to reach this goal as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by year 2030. This study aims to identify the level of knowledge, attitude, and behaviour of postgraduate students towards ESD as they are the changing agents and are directly inflicted by the human activities in the present. This quantitative study use questionnaire form that were responded by postgrad­uate students to tally the responses frequencies by using IBM SPSS Statistics 23. The findings show that there is satisfactory level of understanding towards ESD, positive attitudes towards ESD and moderate positive behaviour toward ESD.

Cabaran guru prasekolah dalam menerapkan Pendidikan Stem

Guru berperanan penting dalam menyokong kanak-kanak bagi menjayakan pendidikan STEM. Kajian kes ini bertujuan untuk menerangkan mengenai cabaran yang dihadapi oleh guru prasekolah dalam menerapkan pendidikan STEM ke atas kanak-kanak umur 4 sehingga 6 tahun. Peserta kajian ini terdiri daripada 2 orang guru dan 36 orang kanak-kanak. Data diperolehi daripada pemerhatian selama tiga hingga 4 bulan dan temu bual guru. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan cabaran utama penerapan pendidikan STEM adalah guru kurang menguasai pedagogi dalam konteks pengajaran sains dan kekurangan alat untuk menjalankan aktiviti penyiasatan. Selain itu, tumpuan kanak-kanak semasa proses pembelajaran berlangsung serta persepsi ibu bapa turut menjadi cabaran dalam menerapkan pendidikan STEM di prasekolah. Dengan mengenalpasti cabaran ini, langkah mengatasinya dapat diambil bagi memastikan pendidikan STEM di prasekolah dapat diterapkan.

Gaya pengajaran Grasha dalam kalangan pensyarah sains di Kolej Pra-Universiti di Pulau Pinang

Kemerosotan pelajar dalam bidang STEM di Malaysia pada masa kini amat membimbangkan. Kolej matrikulasi sebagai kolej pra-universiti memainkan peranan yang penting dalam memupuk dan mengekalkan minat pelajar dalam bidang tersebut. Justeru, peranan pensyarah sains sangat penting untuk memberikan penyampaian P&P yang terbaik kepada pelajar. Oleh itu, kajian ini dijalankan untuk mengenalpasti gaya pengajaran yang diamalkan dalam kalangan pensyarah sains di kolej pra-universiti di Pulau Pinang. Kajian ini merupakan kajian kuantitatif den menggunakan reka bentuk kajian tinjauan. Soal Selidik Gaya Pengajaran Grasha-Riechmann 1994 yang mengandungi 40 item digunakan sebagai instrumen kajian. Hasil dapatan kajian mendapati gaya pengajaran dominan pensyarah subjek sains adalah gaya pengajaran pakar, diikuti gaya pengajaran model peribadi, gaya pengajaran fasilitator dan gaya pengajaran delegator. Manakala gaya pengajaran autoriti formal merupakan gaya yang paling kurang diamalkan oleh pensyarah. Analisis Spearman’s-rho pula mendapati tidak terdapat hubungan yang signifikan di antara gaya pengajaran dengan pengalaman mengajar (r = 0.089), dan kelayakan ikhtisas (r = 0.193). Selain itu, ujian Mann-Whitney U melaporkan tiada perbezaan signifikan antara gaya pengajaran dengan jantina (p > 0.05).

The effectiveness of mobile learning in the teaching and learning of probability

This study investigates the effectiveness of mobile learning in the teaching and learning of Probability. The context of mobile here is not just restrained to gadgets such as smartphones but also the fact that teaching and learning can occur beyond boundaries and anywhere according to the convenience and personal preference of the students. This study made use of the pretest – posttest quasi experimental design and the students chosen for the study were from a pre-university college located in the northern region of the country. A total of 92 students made up the sample of the study. There were 46 students each in the experimental and control groups respectively. Cluster random sampling was employed as the sampling method here. The instrument used to collect data with the aim of strengthening the outcome of the study was the achievement test. A quantitative approach was undertaken specifically to analyse the obtained data. The paired sample t-test and independent sample t-test were executed in the data analysis process. Initially, every student involved in the study regardless of the group they were in possessed equal strength in their understanding of the content being covered as indicated by the results of their pre-test. The paired sample t-test yielded p < 0.05 which meant that there was a significant difference between the mean score of the pre-test and post-test in the experimental group and control group respectively. The outcome of the independent sample t-test showed that there was a significant difference between the mean score of the experimental group and that of the control group in the post-test (p < 0.05). This indicated that the treatment via mobile learning had indeed played a role in the improved performance of students in Probability, hence proving the effectiveness of mobile learning in the teaching and learning of Probability.

The development of Bio-Gamyx module for teaching and learning Biology

The aims of this study were to develop and validate Bio-GamyX module in teaching and learning Biology for form four students. This module was developed for the topic Chemical Composition of the Cell based on the integration of Sidek and Jamaludin’s Model and the Five Steps of Applying Gamification in Education proposed by Huang and Soman. The process of developing this module involved the preparation of module draft, experts’ reviews and calculation of content validity of the module. During this process, the module draft was given to three subject matter experts consist of academicians and practitioners to be reviewed. Several recommendations were identified and amendment was done accordingly. The amended module was then evaluated for its content validity. The percentage of experts’ agreement obtained for this module ranged from 77% to 85%. This finding shows that Bio-GamyX module has a good content validity. This finding reinforces the use of gamification approach in the design of teaching and learning modules specifically in Biology subject.

Penggunaan bahan multimedia interaktif 3D animasi (‘Scratch’) dalam kaedah pembelajaran teradun terhadap minat dan pencapaian murid Tahun 5 bagi mata pelajaran Sains

Penyelidikan ini dijalankan untuk mengkaji penggunaan bahan multimedia interaktif 3D animasi (‘Scratch’) dalam kaedah pembelajaran teradun terhadap minat dan pencapaian murid Tahun 5 bagi mata pelajaran Sains. Kajian ini dijalankan untuk mengatasi masalah pencapaian murid yang rendah disebabkan kaedah pengajaran tanpa menggunakan bahan multimedia dan berpusatkan guru. Kajian ini dijalankan di daerah Seberang Perai Selatan. Populasi penyelidikan ini dipilih daripada sekolah jenis kebangsaan Tamil di Seberang Perai Selatan. Seramai 60 murid daripada dua buah sekolah jenis kebangsaan Tamil telah dipilih sebagai sampel kajian ini. Data dikumpulkan melalui ujian pra dan ujian pasca, temu bual dan soal selidik. Penyelidik menggunakan Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS) Versi 22.0 untuk menganalisis data yang diperolehi. Data dianalisis dengan menggunakan analisis deskriptif min, sisihan piawai dan peratus kekerapan. Analisis korelasi pearson juga digunakan untuk menguji hubungan antara penggunaan, pencapaian dan minat murid terhadap bahan multimedia 3D yang digunakan. Hasil analisis data mendapati bahawa skor min 3.67 hingga 5.00 menunjukan penggunaan bahan multimedia interaktif berada dalam tahap tinggi dalam kalangan responden yang diuji. Melalui perbandingan ujian pra dan pasca dapat dianalisis bahawa 23.4 % kelulusan murid meningkat setelah menggunakan aplikasi ‘Scratch’ dalam matapelajaran sains. Soal selidik dengan skor min 3.67 hingga 5.00 yang tinggi ini menunjukan minat murid terhadap penggunaan bahan multimedia interaktif 3D animasi berada dalam tahap yang tinggi. Nilai korelasi adalah 1.00 iaitu nilai skor yang sempurna bermaksud mempunyai hubungan antara penggunaan bahan multimedia interaktif 3D animasi dan minat dalam mata pelajaran Sains murid Tahun 5. Data analisis Korelasi Pearson menunjukan hubungan yang sangat lemah antara minat dan pencapaian murid dalam mata pelajaran sains. Ini bermaksud, minat tidak mempengaruhi pencapaian murid sepenuhnya. Pencapaian murid juga bergantung kepada faktor-faktor yang lain. Keseluruhannya, dapatan kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa penggunaan multimedia interaktif 3D animasi ‘Scratch’ dalam mata pelajaran sains dapat memberi kesan yang positif dari segi penggunaannya.

Dual language programme: The perceptions and challenges of teachers and students in Klang, Selangor

Dual Language Programme (DLP) was introduced to improve the level of English proficiency among students. This has become a hot topic since the Ministry of Education (MOE) was requested to review the implementation of DLP as the teachers and students face challenges in teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics in English. Thus, this study aims to identify the teachers’ and students’ insights on DLP and the challenges they faced after the implementation. The data were obtained through a questionnaire. A total of 146 DLP students consisting of Form 1 and Form 2 students and 8 teachers from four secondary schools in Klang, Selangor participated in this study. Besides, semi-structured interviews were carried out among the teachers as well. The finding shows that most of the teachers and students have positive views towards the implementation of DLP, although they faced some challenges. Moreover, students are keen to learn Science and Mathematics in English even though their English proficiency still at the unsatisfying level.

Meningkatkan kemahiran penambahan dan penolakan pecahan pelajar tahun 4 melalui Fraction Cipher

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan dan mengatasi masalah yang dihadapi oleh pelajar di dalam topik operasi penambahan dan penolakan pecahan. Tinjauan awal dilakukan melalui semakan latihan dan ujian pra mendapati pelajar mempunyai masalah terhadap topik berkenaan. Hasil tinjauan tersebut seramai 10 orang pelajar telah dijadikan sampel kajian. Ia melibatkan pelajar tahun 4 di salah sebuah sekolah sekitar Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur. Pembinaan Fraction Cipher dilakukan sebagai bahan bantu mengajar bagi mengatasi masalah tersebut. Tiga instrumen utama digunakan dalam kajian ini seperti ujian pencapaian matematik (pecahan), instrumen pemerhatian dan instrumen temu bual separa struktur. Kajian dimulakan dengan ujian pra, intervensi selama empat minggu, ujian pos dan temubual pelajar seminggu selepas ujian pos dijalankan. Hasil kajian ini diharapkan dapat memberikan gambaran jelas kemampuan Fraction Cipher sebagai bahan bantu pengajaran alternatif yang dapat dilaksanakan oleh guru dan pendidik dalam mengamalkan pengajaran dan pembelajaran untuk abad ke-21. Kajian ini juga diharapkan dapat membantu Aspirasi dan Misi Negara Malaysia dalam membangunkan modal insan yang berjaya.

Validation of technical and vocational teachers’ competency evaluation instrument using the rasch model

This pilot study was conducted with the aim to validate the instrument used in evaluating the competency of teachers in the field of technical and vocational education. This instrument consists of 45 items and is administered to 53 teachers from a selected vocational college. The Rasch Model with the help of the Winstep Version 3.72.3 software has been used in this study for the purpose of checking the functionality of the item and the validity of the instrument. An analysis has been made based on the suitability of items in measuring the construct, item and person reliability and separation index, polarity and residual correlation value. The Rasch analysis showed that the item reliability was valued at 0.92 while the person reliability valued at 0.96 with their item MNSQ between overfit (<0.6) and misfit (>1.4). Based on the findings, there are three items that were dropped because of failing to meet the inspection criteria. The finalized instrument consists of 42 items, in which it is suitable for evaluating the four constructs in the competency evauation of technical and vocational teachers in vocational colleges.

Secondary school students’ green chemistry experiment, knowledge, attitude and practice: instrument development and an exploratory study in malaysia

Green chemistry is an educational approach that is guided by Sustainable Development Education which aims to provide students with the knowledge of scientific solutions on how to solve environmental pollution. This study aimed to develop an instrument to gauge students’ level of green chemistry experiment, knowledge, attitude and practice and to test the usability of the questionnaire developed to explore students’ green chemistry experiment, knowledge, attitude and practice. This quantitative research employed a newly self-constructed Green Chemistry Awareness Questionnaire. The instrument validity and reliability is estimated by two experts and the reliability of the instrument was estimated during the pilot test, yielding Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.926. Questionnaires were distributed to 100 chemistry students from five secondary schools in Muallim district. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical analysis to address all research questions. The independent t-test showed no statistical significant difference for all constructs by gender and school location.