Psychological and physiological colour impacts on Malay students in the university hostel environment / Nurlelawati Ab. Jalil

Colour is an environmental stimulus that exerts an influence on human beings in a multitude of ways. The colour effect has been abundantly unequivocally demonstrated in previous research on the integration of multimodal approaches, such as from the psychological, performance and non-performance and preferences assessments. Nevertheless, little research has been conducted locally on the university students with the integration of physiological assessment and consideration of subjects’ living ecology, this being particularly true in the field of design. The fact that no specific colour scheme recommended for the interior of public buildings and double standard perceptions of the importance of visual stimulations are contributing to the monotonous looks at most hostel rooms in public universities. The condition becomes a norm to the students although numerous of research has posited the view that environmental stimuli are correlated with better performances and engagements while the existing white environment contributes to salient negative implications. Worse, inappropriate colours could cause low performances; indirectly affecting moods, dysphoria or depression and health problems among others. In this regards, physiology is another option in understanding the nature of human’s responses to their environments and, in this context, the coloured environment. This is because studies have postulated that colours are detectable in other modality, such as through parasympathetic activities and sympathetic activities, in the human autonomic nervous system (ANS)

Multisensory design elements in stimulating learning environment for Dyslexic children

This research aims to investigate multisensory design for stimulating learning environment for children with learning disabilities. Nowadays, there are many learning facilities like Dyslexia centres and schools exist in Malaysia due to increasing pattern of children with the symptoms. Regardless of the situation and arising numbers of existing Dyslexia centres, no standard guidelines to follow for classroom setting of the facilities in establishing the multisensory learning environment for the dyslexic children. Providing the correct support through a proper learning environment setting is very important as the condition is curable. However, an inappropriate corrective method would cause to delay of improvement or worse, affecting their social development which is important for their future. Therefore, understanding multisensory design elements are essential to all Dyslexia centres and schools in creating a stimulating environment for the children. The objectives of this research are to identify and determine the multisensory design elements for the interior spaces of Dyslexia centres and schools. Also, to assess the condition of the existing Dyslexia centres and schools in relation to the multisensory elements in stimulating learning environment for the dyslexic children. Direct non-participant observation was adopted for data collection method while analysis was done based on the availability of multisensory elements in the selected Dyslexia centres and schools. The research found that there are four (4) multisensory design elements that are important for stimulating and engaging learning environment for dyslexic children, which are; visual elements, auditory elements, tactile elements and kinesthetic elements. These integrated learning elements are essential and practical, particularly for dyslexic children. The research also found that most of the visited facilities are not providing sufficient learning standards that stimulate the learning environment for dyslexic students. Most of the facilities did not provide the principle elements of psychology in design which is the most crucial elements of the learning process. Upon the identified multisensory design elements, further and broader scale of research is recommended to establish a design guideline or standard requirements in designing Dyslexia centres and schools in Malaysia

Usability and adaptibility of personal mobile devices (PMD) for street vendors with physical impairments

Persons with physical impairments have limited regenerative abilities and mostly limited to some scope that they are able and unable to do and their participation in the activities are restricted. In Selangor, statistics show the increase number of registered people with disabilities and unemployed due to their limitations and restricted accessibility. They should enjoy independent life and have jobs, for example, by venturing into small medium entrepreneur sector. The role of entrepreneurship has become growing attention in the nation, especially in boosting income generation which is aligned with the current government agenda in development plan and the people with disabilities should not be left out from this agenda. Many forms of personal mobile devices have been introduced to overcome their difficulties. However, the usability of the devices and the ability of the users to adopt the devices are uncertain. This research aims to understand the potential of using mobile device as independent assistant for the users, especially for the street vendors with physical impairments. The objective of the research is to determine the potential criteria of usability of mobile devices for working environment of the vendors in small medium entrepreneur sector. The discussions are based on reviews of related researches and literatures from different sources that were published over the past decade. The data also were collected by interviewing a group of people with physical disability and on-site observation. A group of personal mobile devices was identified including independent wheelchair assistant, robotic wheelchair and wheelchair motorcycle. The results suggest that the device helps users independently access their local communities in some way, but there were several potential usability requirements and adaptability need to be explored. On the basis of the findings, further research to formulate design guidelines for the assistant mobile device for street vendor with physical impairment is exigency

Identifying methodology in designing interior setting guideline of dyslexia learning environment: a review

Nowadays, there are a lot of dyslexia learning environment facilities available in Malaysia such as Dyslexia schools and centers due to increasing patterns of dyslexia symptoms. However, those symptoms are curable by designing a proper interior setting guideline of dyslexia learning environment as part of learning aids through sufficient research about dyslexic behavior, learning and psychological needs. The process of designing and produce an ideal guideline interior setting for Dyslexia learning environment required some effective methods. Hence, some methodology reviewed from the literature revolving around dyslexia learning environment. Furthermore, a review on methodologies used in built environment study also been reviewed as a basic guideline in finding effective methods for the interior setting guideline of Dyslexia learning environment producing process as the design involving physical aspects of built environment to be accounted. Identifying effective methodology in setting up an interior guideline requires prior identification of research aim and objectives. Therefore, thorough consideration should be performed to make sure the future research could be conducted to attain the objectives of the study. The review found that mixed methods especially content analysis either from case study, fieldwork assessment checklist, questionnaire survey and interviews were vigorously applied in Dyslexia learning environment and built environment as a whole. A mixed methods approach, which draws upon both quantitative and qualitative research methods from multiple disciplines, is often the most appropriate approach for built environment design area research. A mixed methods research design offers a platform to mix both qualitative and quantitative methods from varying disciplines to best solve even the most complex interdisciplinary research problems. One of the key challenges of mixed methods research is how to best select and mix research tactics to answer the research questions effectively. It is important to find literature and precedent if possible to justify the selection of research tactics. From those methods, a deduction mode by applying the knowledge and information through phenomenological approach of case study by researcher will be used in order to provide a comprehensive analysis and discussion of the findings

Students’ colour perception and preference: an empirical analysis of its relationship

In a learning environment, colour is believed to be able to cause positive or negative behaviour such as avoidance or withdrawal behaviour; affecting performance and stimulate senses. It is learned that visual stimulation contributes to an improvement of attention span, develops cognitive abilities and refresh one’s perception towards his environment but varied due to differences of gender and background. This paper focuses on perception and preferences of colours for hostel room as a learning environment amongst undergraduate students at Universiti Teknologi MARA and Universiti Putra Malaysia. It aims to verify the previous findings concerning preference differences among gender in a population and extends the method using a visible colour survey. 798 students who are also the hostel residents aged between 19 to 27 years old took part in this random survey. The survey recorded patterns of students’ colour preferences and recommendation colour for their hostel rooms. The preference survey includes 11 colours (red, blue, green, pink, purple, brown, orange, yellow, white, black and grey) together with the colour description in value and saturation level with five-point Likert scales. Furthermore, the respondents were asked to indicate 12 emotional responses and nominated their preferred colour directly using visible colour survey method from a three dimensional unit of Munsell Colour Tree. The analysis reveals various patterns of colour preferences when the colour options are visible between genders which significantly influence their preference behaviour. The outcomes become the turning point to investigate the effects of colour on students’ alertness during learning activity based on subjects’ preferences and existing colour theory

Students’ colour perception and preference: an empirical analysis of its relationship

In a learning environment, colour is believed to be able to cause positive or negative behaviour such as avoidance or withdrawal behaviour; affecting performance and stimulate senses. It is learned that visual stimulation contributes to an improvement of attention span, develops cognitive abilities and refresh one’s perception towards his environment but varied due to differences of gender and background. This paper focuses on perception and preferences of colours for hostel room as a learning environment amongst undergraduate students at Universiti Teknologi MARA and Universiti Putra Malaysia. It aims to verify the previous findings concerning preference differences among gender in a population and extends the method using a visible colour survey. 798 students who are also the hostel residents aged between 19 to 27 years old took part in this random survey. The survey recorded patterns of students’ colour preferences and recommendation colour for their hostel rooms. The preference survey includes 11 colours (red, blue, green, pink, purple, brown, orange, yellow, white, black and grey) together with the colour description in value and saturation level with five-point Likert scales. Furthermore, the respondents were asked to indicate 12 emotional responses and nominated their preferred colour directly using visible colour survey method from a three dimensional unit of Munsell Colour Tree. The analysis reveals various patterns of colour preferences when the colour options are visible between genders which significantly influence their preference behaviour. The outcomes become the turning point to investigate the effects of colour on students’ alertness during learning activity based on subjects’ preferences and existing colour theory

Linking place preference with satisfaction: an examination of its relationship from Tahfiz students perspective

This paper explored the pattern of students’ learning setting preferences in Al Quran memorisation and satisfaction towards the settings in 10 consecutive days of an experiment. Subjects were assigned to five different Hafazan settings in their learning ecology set based on the findings from the literature. Eight indicators encompass the memorisation performance, comfort level towards setting arrangement and position, perceived wall finishes, furniture ergonomic, brightness level, temperature and privacy, were adapted to record their learning experience in manipulated settings. The objective of this investigation is to study the satisfaction and comfort level of students during Quran memorisation as well as to identify the preferences setting arrangement while memorising the given verses of Quran. The result is segregated between gender. It is pertinent to note, both genders prefer at seat at window face setting. However, male students would rather sit on the chair with a table provided while female students tend to choose sitting with cross-legged. In conclusion, both objectives are achieved. It seems both genders have different preferences in terms of position. The findings are significant for further investigation of Islamic learning ecology and behavioural studies, that is limitedly available for references. Implications of the findings discussed

Linking place preference with satisfaction: an examination of its relationship from Tahfiz students perspective

This paper explored the pattern of students’ learning setting preferences in Al Quran memorisation and satisfaction towards the settings in 10 consecutive days of an experiment. Subjects were assigned to five different Hafazan settings in their learning ecology set based on the findings from the literature. Eight indicators encompass the memorisation performance, comfort level towards setting arrangement and position, perceived wall finishes, furniture ergonomic, brightness level, temperature and privacy, were adapted to record their learning experience in manipulated settings. The objective of this investigation is to study the satisfaction and comfort level of students during Quran memorisation as well as to identify the preferences setting arrangement while memorising the given verses of Quran. The result is segregated between gender. It is pertinent to note, both genders prefer at seat at window face setting. However, male students would rather sit on the chair with a table provided while female students tend to choose sitting with cross-legged. In conclusion, both objectives are achieved. It seems both genders have different preferences in terms of position. The findings are significant for further investigation of Islamic learning ecology and behavioural studies, that is limitedly available for references. Implications of the findings discussed

Instagramable backdrop for KAED heritage living lab

This research aims to study the backdrop design features of Rumah Kutai, a living Malay heritage lab of Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design (KAED) for the university project. The objectives of the study are to identify the existing backdrop design elements for the project references and to formulate the appropriate backdrop design that applies to the context. The rapid development of information technology nowadays and the domination of the internet as the medium to the contemporary human activities are the factors in the transformation of this heritage living lab into an instagramable architectural’ place. Methodologically, three case studies were selected based on different purposes; as a signage and landmark of a place, a monument of a place, and a public gathering space. The attributes of the design elements, materials, techniques of installation and colour selection were studied with respect to the contextual issues and requirements

Physical learning ecosystem and built environment of Tahfiz Institutions in Malaysia: a systematic review

Tahfiz education is common in Malaysia referring to the Islamic education system of producing ‘Hufaz’ or graduates who can memorize and recite the Quran. This study covers all types of Quran memorizing institutions in Malaysia namely, Pondok, Madrasah, Maahad, Centre and Institute. The aim of this systematic review is to identify the type of physical learning ecosystem (PLE) and the aspect of the built environment (BE) of the Tahfiz Institution (TI) in Malaysia. The research starts by defining the PLE and BE to establish the related variables to extracts from the literature. The keywords are also identified and established. The study covers a systematic literature search available from Google Scholars, Scopus, Web of Science, Crossref and Grey Literature. The scope of the literature chosen is specifically related to the Malaysian context. The quantitative synthesis of related research studies was used. The literature on PLE and BE of TI in Malaysia are still lacking as the areas are rarely examined directly, therefore content analysis of the related articles are used to establish the research findings. This research provides a summary of available studies on the PLE of Malaysian TI and BE features. The findings confirm that the lack of literature and studies on the BE aspects of TI in Malaysia highlighted the importance of the studies to upgrade the current infrastructure of TI. In addition to that, the research emphasizes the needs to acquire primary data of the existing conditions of and of the TI in Malaysia