As a useful base for scale development, self-efficacy construct can be used in measuring competency and self-perception of individuals in their social behavior and academic achievements. The aim of this study was to develop a self-efficacy scale with two subscales of writing and social self-efficacy. To this effect, 261 high school students_ responses were used and resulted in development and validation of a 25-item self-efficacy scale. The presented two-factor model was supported with a principal factor analysis with high alpha reliabilities. It was also checked for model fit through conducting confirmatory factor analysis and was approved. Moreover, the developed scale was tested for presence of differential item functioning (DIF). The results presented confirmation for reliability and construct validity for the proposed scale and no DIF was detected. Further implications of the developed self-efficacy scale along with the limitations for this research are discussed in the concluding.....

23 hits

This study ascertained on the relationship between students_ learning styles, which are global and sequential learning styles with their historical understanding and thinking. The specific objectives of the study were to: describe the learning style of the students which are sequential and global; to find out whether students_ historical understanding and thinking differ with their learning styles; and determine the difference between the learning style and their historical understanding and thinking. The participants of the study consist of 40 Form Four Secondary School students from a National School in Kedah State, Malaysia. The Index of Learning Styles (ILS) questionnaire was utilized to carry out the rationale of the study. The results demonstrated that generally the students are fairly well balanced in global and sequential learning styles presented in the ILS questionnaire. An assessment test of history essay writing was used to determine their historical thinking from four cate.....

32 hits

This study investigates the potential of Sulfocalix[4]arene (SC[4]) thin film for the removal and molecular-level adsorption of Rhodamine B dye (RhB), focusing on its performance in extraction and adherence. SC[4] thin films with 5, 10, 15, and 20 layers were fabricated using the spin coating method and subsequently characterised for its optical and topographical properties. Optical characterisation using Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis) at wavelengths from 260 to 300 nm revealed a progressive increase in absorbance across layers, notably at 277 nm and 283 nm peaks. Topographical analysis was conducted using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to determine thickness and surface roughness. Results indicated a linear correlation between film thickness and the number of layers, with measurements of 58.175 nm for 5 layers, 77.626 nm for 10 layers, 84.608 nm for 15 layers, and 94.806 nm for 20 layers. Surface roughness, quantified via root mean square roughness (Rq), was significantly in.....

38 hits

The lagging science and mathematics achievement of Malaysian secondary students in international assessment studies and the decreasing enrollment of science students at secondary school level call for the promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in our country. One of the preliminary steps that could be taken was to identify the quality of learning experiences provided by assessments in STEM related subjects at the secondary school level. In addressing this concern, this study (which is part of a larger research project) aimed to investigate Form Four Science students' perceptions of the quality of learning experiences provided by assessments in STEM related subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Additional Mathematics. A cross-sectional survey research design was used and a sample of 852 Form Four Science students was selected from three categories of secondary schools in Peninsular Malaysia, namely Daily High-Performing (12.....

15 hits

The purpose of the study was to develop and validate an assessment practice inventory for teacher educators adapted from Zhang and Burry-Stock (1994, copyright 2003) to be used to evaluate assessment practice among teacher educators. The initial instrument contained 70 items (excluding background information) that were divided into three important sections _ practice related to assessment literacy standards (Section B); belief about assessment principles (Section C); and frequency of carrying out described items (Section D). The instrument was administered to 254 teacher educators from a teacher education university and a teacher training institute. Exploratory factor analyses (EFA) and reliability tests were performed on the data. Results showed that the instrument developed yielded high values of internal consistency as reflected by the Cronbach alpha values. Results of EFA suggest that 21 items need to be removed due to their non-dimensionality as they have more or less equal loadin.....

21 hits

Improving numeracy skills is fundamental to increasing productivity and therefore economic growth. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of numeracy level attain by a cohort of Malaysian primary school pupils. Specifically, we were interested to examine the pupils_ level of numeracy according to the mathematical topics and the impact of using numeracy model towards pupils_ mathematics achievement. This study employed two types of research designs; a qualitative descriptive research and the experimental pre-post design. A total sample of 200 Primary Four, Year 5 pupils (9-10-year-old) from 20 Malaysian primary schools at the District of Kota Bharu, Kelantan was randomly selected for this study. The Mathematics Test was designed to measure students' Mathematics Achievement. Bloom taxonomy was used in developing items for the tests as it allowed in examining key concepts and levels of numeracy understanding. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages and infere.....

18 hits

Second language acquisition, or sequential language acquisition, is learning a second language after a first language is already established (Krashen, 1981). The field of second language, L2 acquisition research always has been associated to understand the underpinnings of second language grammars and the factors that influence the development of those grammars. While this is a wide ranging area of interest, this paper emphasis on the common patterns of grammars of Tamil as second language in particular to phonological acquisition. It is unknown whether it could be easier for a learner of a non-quantity language to Tamil quantity if this feature would instead delay or disturb the acquisition. Therefore, the current research assess the acquisition of Tamil phonology Tamil by the Malay learners. A clear asymmetric pattern of acquisition between both the tests emerged that the subjects were able to acquire the non-identical Tamil phonology from Malay by sound than the form or structure. T.....

17 hits

This pilot study aimed to evaluate an integrated special needs programmes in a school from Penang. Direct observations and interviews with the teachers and the coordinator were conducted to corroborate the observations. The context, input, process, product (CIPP) evaluation model was applied to gather information mainly on the elements of the model on the performance of the programme. The results of the observations and the interviews with documents were checked against a check-list from Stufflebeam (2007). From the data recorded and observed it was seen that most of the criteria set for the model is adhered to. Keyword CIPP evaluation model; Special needs programmes; mainstream education..

20 hits

This study investigates the quality of SPM Tamil literature question paper. For this purpose last four years examination paper of SPM Tamil literature from Selangor were selected for critical analysis. The demographic information and National Philosophy of Education were given focus. The results of SPM Tamil literature were compared with the students_ achievement. The quality of SPM Tamil literature question paper was critically analysed. Mixed method approach was used. The findings showed that the SPM Tamil literature question papers had fulfilled the National Philosophy of Education. The results obtained by the students showed that 95 % of them had passed in the examination. On the basis of these findings, it is concluded that the SPM Tamil literature question paper fulfils the National Philosophy of Education and also The SPM Tamil literature question papers does provide sufficient time for students to answer the questions and the instructions that given in question paper are easy w.....

16 hits

This research aims to examine the role of the Instagram (IG) platform in shaping users_ perceptions towards help-seeking among university students in Malaysia, who are mostly active IG users and claimed to have stigma towards seeking mental help. Using the survey research method, data were collected using an online questionnaire. Purposive sampling was employed involving 364 undergraduate students at two universities in Perak, namely Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) and MARA University of Technology (UiTM). Descriptive Analysis and Structural Equation Modelling Analysis were carried out to answer the research questions and draw conclusions for the research. The results showed a moderate level of IG usage for seeking mental health information and emotional support, a high level of mental health awareness, and positive help-seeking attitudes among the students. It was also found that IG usage for seeking mental health information had an indirect effect on helpseeking attitudes vi.....

17 hits