Performance of wireless local area networks in Malaysian institutions

Although Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) are widely used in many settings little work has been done in studying their impact and benefits. This study provides empirical indicators on the performance of the WLANs implemented on Malaysian Institutions of Higher Learning Our research adopted Deming’s P-D-C-A Model and modified it to Plan-Implement-Control-Evaluate (P-I-C-E) in establishing a performance measurement for a WLAN; hence WLAN Performance Index (WPi). The measurement consists of four key performance indicators (KPi), reflecting the performance of the four P-I-C-E dimensions. These performance indicators provide a guide for the institutions to take the necessary corrective and preventive actions in attaining an effective WLAN system. Benchmarking was conducted by comparing three institutions in identifying the best WLAN system measures. The WPi is then applied to the three Malaysian public institutions of higher learning (MIPTA), which have implemented such WLAN system. The study reveals the WPi of each of the MIPTA being measured, indicating the strength and weaknesses of each institutions. Also, we suggest corrective actions necessary in achieving an effective and efficient WLAN system. Gap analysis was done to the three MIPTAs findings comparative to the benchmarked WLAN system

Outcome based education: a computational measurement on special librarian intelligence competency / Azrilah Abdul Aziz, Sohaimi Zakaria and Johari Jamaluddin

Information is the key driver for an organization to be able to make prudent decision and direct the organization effectively to meet their corporate objectives. With the advent of information technology and information systems, dissemination of knowledge, data, and information, has exploded by leaps and bounds. Librarians are now expected to conduct data mining, explore and analyze meta data, code and categorize knowledge, employing the most advance information management system as well as the best available technology. Now, they need to be equipped with specific competency to execute responsibilities vested on them. This has prompted the need to study Library and Information Management program offered by the Faculty of Information Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia (UiTM) . The program was designed to develop competent Librarians; among others the graduate outcomes is to be Knowledge Managers, Information Innovator; etcetera, which are deemed Information Professionals (IP). This is explicitly described in the subject learning outcomes where technical knowledge and generic skills were identified using Blooms Taxonomy. This paper presents a case study on special librarians who is required to carry out specific task in a highly specific environment. Result of computational measurement of course learning outcomes is mapped against job specification in the industry utilizing competencies attributes established from meta-analysis. It was noted that development of technology and expansion of current job scope demands a specific training for these special librarians

KMS components for collaborative software maintenance – a pilot study

Software maintenance (SM) environment is highly complex, knowledge-driven and collaborative environment. Therefore, a Knowledge Management System (KMS) is critical to ensure various parties have the necessary information to perform SM activities. In an effort to model the requirements for sharing and sustaining knowledge in SM environment, we review literatures on Knowledge Management (KM), KMS and SM frameworks to identify the knowledge components, tools and technologies. An initial model of KMS components in collaborative SM is proposed, to be verified vis-a-vis a questionnaire survey. Before the questionnaires are sent out, a pilot study was conducted to identify misfit questionnaire items so that they could be revised before being sent out. Rasch Unified Measurement Method (RUMM) is used to analyze the pilot data. Item reliability is found to be poor and a few respondents and items are identified as misfits with distorted measurements. As a result, some problematic questions are revised and some predictably easy questions are excluded from the questionnaire

A perception assessment on security awareness in Malaysian government agencies by Rasch model / Mohd Ismail Ahmad, Azrilah Abdul Aziz and Mohd Saidfudin Masodi

The Chief Government Security Office (CGSO) in the Prime Minister's Department is responsible for protecting the country against potential threats to the national security. A number of other security and intelligence agencies work alongside CGSO to gather, analyse and utilise information on intelligence and national security matters. In order to protect national security and economic well-being, the CGSO collects and disseminates intelligence, investigates and assesses threats and works with others to counter them. They render advise on protective security and provide effective support of such tasks since 1957 as empowered in Arahan Keselamatan, (Pin.J984). The CGSO also provides protective security advice to multi-national corporations where it involves National Infrastructure Key Points (NIKeP), helping them reduce their vulnerability to possible threats. Ever since the CGSO has established highly competent quality service in discharging their statutory junctions. However, the vital role of the CGSO in the government service has since diminished despite the rise of global terrorism. Subsequently, the CGSO has taken a concerted effort by vigorously carrying out workshops and seminars at various Government Agencies to improve the awareness and put security as being of utmost importance. It is aimed as preventive measures to frustrate sabotage, espionage, prevent damage to the country from subversion and other covert activity; frustrate proliferation of detrimental information, watch out for new or re-emerging types of threat; protect the Government's sensitive information and assets. This paper assessed feedback from Government Officers as participants in workshops and seminars conducted by the CGSO on protective security. The evaluation shows there is a strong correlation between the number of courses conducted and level of security appreciation; hence, higher level of competency in taking protective security measures amongst the government officers

Outcome based education performance measurement: A Rasch-based longitudinal assessment model to measure information management courses LO's

Malaysia Qualification Framework, 2005 (MQF) promotes outcome based education (OBE) learning process. OBE calls for the evaluation of the course’s Learning Outcomes (CLO) as specified in the Program Specification. This good practice is implemented in the Faculty of Information Technology and Quantitative Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA (FTMSK) teaching and learning processes which was duly certified to ISO 9001:2000. Assessment methods include giving students’ tasks such as tests, quizzes or assignments at intervals during the 14 weeks study period per semester. CLO’s were evaluated based on the students’ performance which gives an indication of their learning achievements. Despite the marks obtained is orderly in manner, it is on a continuum scale. Hence, further evaluation using the raw score is rather complex to be carried out. This paper describes a Rasch-based measurement model as performance assessment tool to measure the CLO. Rasch Model uses ‘logit’ as the measurement unit thus transforms the assessment results into a linear correlation. An overview of the measurement model and its key concepts were presented and illustrated. An assessment form using Bloom’s Taxonomy as parameter was designed showing each dimension of the ability to be measured. The results there from were evaluated on how well it relates to the attributes being assessed and scrutinized. It is further checked against the CLO Maps for consistency and used as a guide for future improvement of the teaching method and style. This provides the lecturers a more accurate insight of the student level of competency achieved. The study shows that this model of measurement can classify students’ grades into linear competency scale accurately using only very few primary data sets to enable corrective action to be taken effectively at the early stage of learning

Development of rasch-based descriptive scale in profiling information professionals' competency

The development of Rasch measurement model has rapidly expanded from social science, educational fields to other technology and engineering field as well. This study is an attempt to apply Rasch Measurement in the field of technology to assess Information Professionals' (IP) competency. Bloom's Taxonomy is used as the framework for assessment whilst utilising Rasch model in constructing the measurement in evaluating the competencies. Assessment only generates raw score and need to be transformed into meaningful measurement values. Rasch model measurement enable tabulation the IP; person and, a given task; the items, on a distribution map (PIDM) on a common scale termed logit. It gives a more accurate estimate of the IP's achievement on a linear scale of measurement. Comparative analysis against the traditional histogram tabulation and simple mean shows that Rasch measurement was found to give a better exploratory depth in understanding the ability of each IP. Despite the small sample size, the IP were clearly categorized according to the respective workgroup cluster, knowledge and skills. This leads to a new paradigm in assessing competency of IP individuals using Rasch model. A new descriptive scale is developed to classify IP's by class intervals as measured by Rasch Model