Pre-Service Teachers' Experiences During Off-Campus Observation: Basis for Improving the Roles of Teacher Education Institutions and Cooperating Schools

Observing experienced teachers is an indispensable part of practicum studies in teacher education. This paper examined the perceptions of pre-service teachers from five major fields of teacher education program on their experiences during off-campus observation in selected secondary schools. This used qualitative content analysis method in order to “subjectively interpret the content of text data through the systematic classification process of coding and identifying themes or patterns” (Hsieh & Shanon, 2005 p. 1278) . Data were taken from 136 pre-service teachers through open-ended questions and two high school principals, 10 cooperating teachers, six student supervisors and 12 pre-service teachers through Focus Group Interview (FGI) and Key Informant Interview (KII). Codes and emerging themes were derived using content analysis. Results showed 18 themes for desirable experiences and 24 themes for undesirable experiences. Pre-service teachers' experiences mostly focused on students' attitudes and behaviors. Suggestions to improve off-campus observation from multi-level participants of the study concentrated on preparedness, orientation programs, supervision and monitoring, personal attributes and roles, values, attitudes and behaviors, deployment, post conferences, supervisory plan, observation policies and guidelines, required documents, seminars, time management, evaluation, coordination, and cultural diversity. To sustain the desirable experiences, both cooperating teachers and student supervisors believed that their roles were to serve as model, guide, leader, monitor, planner, and motivator. The varied experiences of pre-service teachers imply that Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) and cooperating schools should provide opportunities, develop competencies, take responsibilities and strengthen partnership to enhance off-campus observation

Large Networks of Diameter Two Based on Cayley Graphs

In this contribution we present a construction of large networks of diameter two and of order $\frac{1}{2}d^2$ for every degree $d\geq 8$, based on Cayley graphs with surprisingly simple underlying groups. For several small degrees we construct Cayley graphs of diameter two and of order greater than $\frac23$ of Moore bound and we show that Cayley graphs of degrees $d\in\{16,17,18,23,24,31,\dots,35\}$ constructed in this paper are the largest currently known vertex-transitive graphs of diameter two.Comment: 9 pages, Published in Cybernetics and Mathematics Applications in Intelligent System

Wax Lipids from Leaf Surfaces of Some Common plants of Malaysia

Epicuticular wax lipids from leaves of some common plant species found in the Klang Valley, Malaysia were extracted into dichloromethane for analysis. Extracts were separated into hydrocarbon, carboxylic acid, ketone and alcohol fractions. The fractions after derivatization were then subjected to gas chromatographic (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometric (GC-M5) analyses. The wax yield was highest for Mestta ferrea while the lowest yield was obtained from Eugenia gran dis. In most species studied the m~or n-alkane was found to be hentriacontane (C31 ), followed by tritriacontane (C,,) and nonacosane (C",) , respectively. The n-alkanes exhibit a saw-tooth pattern which is characteristic of a biogenic origin. A strong even-to-odd carbon number predominance is observed for both the n-alkanoic acids and 1)alkanols. Only traces of mainly B-sitosterol were detected in some of the species. The triterpenoids and triterpenes were mostly found in the wax of Mesua ferrea with «- and p-boswellic acids as the major components and minor amounts of «- and p-amyrin. Other biomarkers identified were «and p-amyrones, friedelin, friedelanol, friedelane, olean-12-ene, taraxerene, squalene, dihydronyctanthic acid, dihydroroburic acid and dihydrocanaric acid. This study has shown that the distribution of n-alkanes is a function of the ambient temperature

Effects of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg) extract on chemical characteristic of raw beef during frozen storage

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) extract at different concentrations on chemical characteristics of raw beef under frozen storage. Nutmeg extracts at concentrations of 0.25%, 0.65%, 1.25%, 2.50% and 5.00% (g/ml) were used to treat raw beef (2.5 × 2.5 × 1.0 cm; 4 ± 0.5 g) with dilution method. Treated samples were then individually packed in overwrapped trays and stored for 3 weeks at -18 ± 1°C. The effects of the extract on the chemical characteristics such as lipid oxidation, colour, pH, moisture, fat, and protein content of raw beef were evaluated at 0, 4, 7, 10, 14 and 21 days of storage. Lipid oxidation was evaluated based on thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) content. Colour of beef was observed by spectrophotometer in colorimetic parameters CIELabs. Values of pH were measured using pH meter. Moisture, fat and protein content were determined using method by Analysis Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). The result showed that extract at concentration of 1.25% inhibited TBARS value meaning that extract of 1.25% or more was able to maintain the oxidative stability of beef at -18°C. A 1.25% of extract was also able to maintain the redness (a*) of treated beef compared to untreated during frozen storage. The pH values of all samples beef decreased starting from 10th day of storage. Untreated samples (0.00%) showed the lowest pH values compared to other treated samples at the end day of storage. There was no significant different in term of protein content in all treated or untreated samples. However, fat and moisture content were significantly affected by the concentration of nutmeg extract. Treated beef was able to retain its moisture with only loss of moisture ranging from 0.2% - 2.00% while untreated samples had 5.00% loss of moisture. The fat content of untreated samples (0.00%) showed a reduction of 0.2% of fat content at the end of storage compared to all treated sample with only loss of 0.1% - 0.05%. Overall, nutmeg extract can be used to maintain the chemical characteristics of raw beef during storage for 3 weeks

Application of Employability Skills and Contextual Performance Level of Employees in Government Agencies

The widespread practice of contractualization even in government institutions is a big challenge facing newly-hired employees in seeking a stable position. Researchers have argued that the quality of practice of employability skills could help employees have better job performance, provide them better working condition or status, and consequently meet the higher expectations of employers. The present study employs descriptive research design to explain the extent of application of employability skills and contextual performance. Based on The Conference Board of Canada's Employability Skills 2000+ and Borman and Motowidlo's Taxonomy of Contextual Performance, two sets of survey questionnaires were adopted to gather data from 220 respondents representing employers and employees from 25 government institutions. Data analysis showed that novice employees in public institutions applied their employability skills such as fundamental, personal management and teamwork skills to some extent. Moreover, results revealed that employees had satisfactory contextual performance. Thus, this may suggest that the application of employability skills and contextual behaviors should be enhanced to meet the increasing and complex challenges of their respective government agencies

Studi Kasus Kesulitan Belajar Siswa yang Tinggal Kelas di Kelas VIII F SMP Negeri 13 Pontianak

: This study has the objective of this study was: "How to help cope with students who have learning difficulties students staying in class VIII class F SMP Negeri 13 Pontianak?" This study specifically aims to gain clarity about: 1. Types of learning difficulties experienced problems students living in the class F class VIII SMP Negeri 13 Pontianak. 2. Faktor-internal factors that cause learning difficulties experienced students who stayed in class VIII class F For students staying in class VIII F SMP Negeri 13 Pontianak. 3. External factors that cause learning difficulties experienced by students who stayed in class VIII F SMP Negeri 13 Pontianak. 4. Efforts to support any appropriate alternative to address students' learning difficulties who lived in class VIII class F SMP Negeri 13 Pontianak

Peningkatan Kemampuan Menyusun Huruf Alphabet melalui Kegiatan Meronce pada Anak Usia 5-6 Tahun

This research method using descriptive method, while the form of research is classroom action research. Where research is TK Kemala Bhayangkari I Pontianak and the data sources obtained one teacher and 21 children. Techniques and data collection tool used is a sheet of observation and documentary studies. Based on the research that has been done and with the results obtained after performed the statistical calculation, the general conclusion is that: 1) Planning the teachers in learning to use activities to improve compile meronce alphabet letters children aged 5-6 years prepared category of "Good" with an average score of 3.57. 2) Implementation of the teachers in the study by using meronce activities to improve the ability of alphabet letters compose 5-6 years old children conducted by the category of "Good" with an average score of 3.61. 3) Increasing the capability of preparing alphabet letters children aged 5-6 years after conducting meronce categorized as "Good" with an average increase of 62.8%

Pengembangan Kecerdasan Musikal Dalam Pembelajaran Musik Angklung Pada Anak Usia 5-6 Tahun Di Tk

This study aims to describe the Development Of Musical Intelligence In Angklung Learning At 5-6 Year Olds In Kindergarten Aisyiyah Bustanul Athfal II Pontianak West. The method used in this research is descriptive method with qualitative research approach. Research is conducted techniques used observation, interview, and documentation with data collection tools as observation sheets, interview guides, documentation of data and field notes. Of the result that The Development Of Musical Intelligence In Learning Angklung Music In Children Aged 5-6 Years In Kindergarten Aisyiyah Bustanul West RA II Pontianak Performing well. Advice givenis the teacher beforehand should complement the components present in the daily activity plan. The kindergarten teacher who are looking for an expert in the field of art. Add angklung. The kindergarten and residents cooperate with each ather so that the problems ( with loud music playing) dosen't occuar again

Pengaruh Brand Equity dan Brand Trust terhadap Loyalitas Konsumen Mobil Merek Toyota Kijang Innova (Survey Konsumen pada Dealer PT. Agung Automall Cabang Sutomo Pekanbaru)

This study aims to determine the influence of brand equity and brand trust on consumer loyalty Toyota Kijang innova car at PT. Agung Automall Pekanbaru. The sample in this study were taken 72 respondents and the technique used purposive sampling. The data in this study used survey method through questionnaires filled by consumers. Data obtained from the results of the questionnaire then processed tested with statistics through the program SPSS16. The results of analysis used multiple linear regression analysis, determination test (R2), individual significance test (t test) and simultaneous significance test (F test) so it can be seen that brand equity variable had a positive effect on consumer loyalty variable, brand trust variable influences variable loyalty Consumers, and a significant influence between brand equity and brand trust variables on consumer loyalty. The results shows R Square is the coefficient of determination and obtained R Square value of 0.747. That is, brand equity and brand trust affect consumer loyalty by 74.7%

Representation Of Urban American Women In Sex And The City Series : A Postfeminist Study

This research is aimed to show representation of Urban American Women presentation in Sex and the City series based on the postfeminist perspective. This research is done by establishing three intentions, the first is analyzing how Urban American women is represented, the second is analyzing the dominant ideology by using representation theory and the third is analyzing the construction of womanhood by using postfeminism theory .The study is a qualitative study. Type of data of the study is literary taken from two data sources: primary and secondary. The primary data sources taken from Sex and the City Series directed by Michael Patrick King and released in 1998. While the secondary data sources are materials taken from books and internet related to the study. Both data are collected through library research and analyzed by descriptive analyses. The study comes to the following conclusions. Based on the discussion of text and context the conclusion is Sex and the City is a romantic comedy television series which concern in the sexuality, sexually transmitted disease, fashion, and friendship, mostly through the conversation and voice over narration of four single New York women. Then, from the discussion of representation Sex and the City portray the urban American women in dealing with their single life, their lifestyle, their choice of fashion and their existence. The last from the discussion of the construction of womanhood it can be concluded that many feminist issues are tackled in the show, such as gender-bias, limited constructions of femininity, dependency, and prejudice against single women. From those conclusions are suitable the characteristic of postfeminist such as the modernity of the women, aggressiveness, sisterhood, sexual empowerment, power, self awareness, and choices. Therefore the researcher finds a dominant ideology that appears in Sex and the City series. It is the ideals of female subjectivity present in postfeminism, these ideals not only develop the belief but demand it as an indicator of success that women can be independent and successful individuals