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661

The functions of graphics and visual reasoning demand in Mathematical problems in the Malaysian National Examination

Abstract

Evaluation on the quality of education in Malaysia is assessed mainly through written examinations. Both the Malaysian Education Development Plan for 2001-2010 and 2013-2025 outlined restructuring of the Integrated Secondary School Curriculum (KBSM) with one of the aims to enhance students_ critical and creative thinking which could be achieved through the imperative visual reasoning skills in mathematics education specifically in the solving of mathematical problems. This study presents the analysis on the roles of graphical tasks, which are visual in nature, in the mathematics papers, Mathematics and Additional Mathematics, of the main Malaysian national examination, the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, with the visual reasoning demand as the point of focus. A quantitative analysis is carried out on the role of graphics: decorative, representational, organizational or informational, and the trend in topics with graphic-accompanied tasks. In addition, the level of visual reasoning demand by .....

Article Published 2013 95 hits Available

662

The determinants of the incidence and the effects of overeducation in the Malaysian labour market

Zainizam Zakariya

Abstract

This paper attempts to study the quality of jobs match held by workers in the manufacturing sector of Malaysia. Relevant issues are thus covered: the incidence, determinants, and wage impacts of overeducation. Using the second Malaysia Productivity Investment Climate Survey (PICS-2), nearly 20% and 30% of workers are employed in jobs for which they are overeducated and undereducated, respectively. Further examination suggests that overeducation is not only due to lack of human capital accumulation (work experience and training) and soft skills, i.e. English proficiency, leadership, and creativity, but also related to firm characteristics in terms of firm size, the share of university workers at the workplace and hiring practice. Evidently, using augmented Mincer earnings equation signifies that being overeducated leads to a greater wage penalty. The return of surplus education (overeducation), in particular, is lower than the return of required education (6% against 10%) regardless of .....

Article Published 2013 137 hits Available

663

Test of basic and integrated science process skills (t-bisps): how do form four students in Kelantan fare?

Mohd Al-Junaidi Mohamad

Abstract

This study aims to gauge the acquisition level of science process skills (SPS) amongst Form 4 students, analysing the data by gender, school location, and twoway interaction between gender and school location. Using a causal comparative design, the authors developed psychometrically-supported 60 multiple-choice-item Test of Basic and Integrated Science Process Skills (T-BISPS) was administered to 245 form four students from two rural and two urban schools in Kelantan. The findings indicated that the students achieved an acquisition level which fell short of the twothirds benchmark (i.e., 66.67%) for the overall SPS (56.06%), basic SPS (59.29%) and integrated SPS (52.11%), and also for each of the specific science process skills except for communicating (67.35%), classifying (68.73%), and predicting (68.98%) skills. The results from the two-way factorial ANOVA indicated that, while there was no two-way gender and school location interaction effect and main gender effect, only the main s.....

Article Published 2013 125 hits Available

664

Nature of geography textbook questions and their role in assessment

Kumar Mishra, Rishabh

Abstract

The aim of the present paper is to analyze the nature of textbook-questions and provide its implications for assessment. In India, new geography textbooks were introduced after National Curriculum Framework, 2005. These textbooks comprised in-text as well as end-text exercises and questions. These exercises and questions were analyzed on the basis of content, cognitive level and tools of representation. It was also probed how textbook questions positions learner. Through the rigorous content analysis, both quantitative and qualitative, this paper tries to unfold the epistemological meaning and pedagogical implications of textbook questions. Keywords Textbook Questions, Epistemology, Pedagogy, Assessment..

Article Published 2013 90 hits Available

665

Instruction of metacognitive strategies to enhance students’ listening comprehension

Latha K.Krishnan

Abstract

The listening skill has been reported as a neglected skill in the ESL classroom. The lack of attention to this particular skill has been linked to ESL students_ poor performance in authentic communication and examinations. The study reported in this paper examined the effectiveness of explicit instruction on metacognitive strategies in enhancing students_ listening comprehension skills. A quasi-experimental research design which involved pretest-posttest control and experimental groups was used. A semi-structured questionnaire was also distributed to gather information about the students_ perceptions in using metacognitive strategies to monitor their listening comprehension. 90 Upper Sixth Form students in a Malaysian school were selected to participate in this study and they were divided into two experimental groups and one control group. The treatment in the form of explicit instruction and modeling of metacognitive strategies in listening comprehension was given to the experimental .....

Article Published 2013 86 hits Available

666

Developing aesthetics assessment skills in bachelor of design programmes: an introspective account in UPSI

Tan, Wee Hoe

Abstract

This paper elaborates how aesthetic assessment skills were developed among undergraduate students who were pursuing Bachelor of Design degree programmes in Sultan Idris Education University. Three assessment methods _ criterion-referenced, norm-referenced and ipsative assessment were introduced to the students during their second or third semester of study. The students were guided to develop their aesthetic assessment skills, specifically in the Design Aesthetics Course. One of the intended learning outcomes for the course requires the students to analyse and criticise the aspects contained in art forms which would be learned according to robust verbal and written arguments and evidence. The paper presents how the learning outcome was attained by the students, from learning four principles of aesthetic pleasure and three levels of emotional design, to applying the knowledge in course assignments. They were guided to construct aesthetic criteria and assessment forms, and directed to as.....

Article Published 2013 126 hits Available

667

A study on formative assessment of EFL in the multimedia-based environment in China

Han, Hui

Abstract

An effective assessment system is indispensable to the current reform of EFL teaching in China which emphasizes the importance of the Multimedia Computer-assisted Language Learning (MCALL). A tentative model of formative assessment for MCALL is designed and implemented in two classes attended by 58 students. Qualitative and quantitative data show that the introduced assessment system not only stimulates learner_s motivation and interest to learn, but also makes it possible to monitor and facilitate learner_s learning process as well as their autonomy in learning. More noticeably observed is the successfully cultivation of learner_s autonomy, cooperative learning and communicative skills. Keywords multimedia-based learning, Formative Assessment, Learners_ Autonomy, Cooperative Learning...

Article Published 2013 124 hits Available

668

The use of formative assessment techniques in the Geography subject: a case study

Suzana Abd. Mutalib

Abstract

A proper and effective implementation of formative assessment techniques in the classroom will help to improve students_ learning. Oral questioning, exercises, seatwork, quizzes, discussions, projects, assignments and homework are among the common formative assessment techniques applied by teachers during the T&L process. This paper reports the findings of a qualitative study undertaken to identify the formative assessment techniques used by geography teachers during the teaching and learning process. A case study design was used, and the study was conducted in one secondary school in Perak, Malaysia. Two Geography teachers participated in the study. Data were obtained through observations, interviews and document analysis. Discussion on the finding was based on the use of formative assessment techniques in the teaching and learning process. The study showed both teachers adopted a variety of assessment techniques to improve the students_ learning and help them achieve the learning obj.....

Article Published 2012 121 hits Available

669

The Bitara values inventory

Ahmad Jazimin Jusoh

Abstract

This paper reports on a study in which an inventory was developed to measure the extent to which the academic staff of a university upheld the shared values of the university. It describes the developmental process of the inventory and the procedure for verification of the validity and reliability of the instrument. The survey was chosen as the research method. The inventory consisted of two main constructs which were the practice and perception of the shared values, referred to as the Bitara values at the university. Each main construct consisted of six sub-constructs, namely, integrity, professionalism, teamwork, customer orientation, concern for the welfare of others, and creativity and innovation. The research questions inquired about the validity and reliability of the newly constructed inventory and how far the academic staff in UPSI had understood, assimilated and practiced the Bitara values after having attended the Bitara Values Course. The newly developed inventory underwent .....

Article Published 2012 88 hits Available

670

Determining attrition of writing skills among Chinese EFL learners

Chan, Swee Heng

Abstract

So far, little research about writing has been said to have occurred in an EFL environment compared to an ESL environment. This study anchors on an EFL environment found in China. In connection with the EFL environment is the question of writing attrition. The main thrust of the study is to investigate if writing attrition occurred after a long period of nonuse by tertiary students. In addition, attempts are made to link writing attrition to levels of motivation and social activities experienced by the learners. To obtain data, we resorted to standardized writing tests used by the tertiary institution and also developed a questionnaire to investigate the levels of motivation and social activities. To give credibility to the writing instrument used to gauge attrition, test validation is also carried out to lay the fundamentals for the discussion of attrition in writing. We find that overall writing skills attrite coupled with attrition in coherence, clarity and pertinence, but not in gr.....

Article Published 2012 104 hits Available

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