Investigating and improving classroom activities to enhance Japanese language learning

The importance of foreign languages is evident particularly as nation building is highly dependent on the transfer of foreign technology. Japanese Language is considered to be a difficult foreign language to learn among the foreign languages because of its complicated writing system. Teaching the writing system within a constant time period is a challenge in the institute of higher education. In order to inform my teaching and to improvise my teaching of Hiragana, an action research has been carried out to explore how I made the participants learn Hiragana. Reflection on the lessons has been done critically on my teaching styles. Students learning style has been examined to inform the teaching style. Consequently, using Japanese input to enforce the reading and writing of Hiragana has been taken as an action to address the problem. Results showed that majority of the participants have demonstrated a significant improvement. However, there were a few students who were unable to improve their Hiragana ability. Reflection need to been done to address the problem in the next cycle

Exploring the role of blended learning for teaching and learning effectiveness in institutions of higher learning: An empirical investigation

As the years progress there has been rapid growth in Blended Learning (BL) adoption, but only few research focused on adoption issues related to learners, academic staffs and management. Thus, research is needed to guide universities in strategically examining learners, academic staffs and management adoption of BL. Accordingly, this study develops a model to facilitate university policy makers in their decision making to assess students learning and academic staffs teaching outcome. Furthermore, this study explores on the factors that influence BL adoption in universities, through an empirical study from the perspectives of learners, academic staffs, and management. In particular, it examines the current BL practice adoption effectiveness in universities. Based on extensive review of prior studies, survey questionnaires was designed and distributed to convenience samples of 87 students, academic staffs, and management in 3 Malaysia universities to validate the developed model. Next, Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to analyze the survey data. Findings reveal that supportive factors, attitude, learning mode, satisfaction, course management, and ease of use positively predict the perception of learners and academic staffs’ to adopt BL. Similarly, findings suggest that the perception of management towards BL adoption is positively determined by the strategy, structure, and support factors. Moreover, findings reveal that the impact of BL on learners’ effectiveness is positively predicted by achievement, engagement, involvement, retention, and cognitive outcome. Additionally, findings suggest that the impact BL on academic staffs’ effectiveness is significantly influence by delivery, performance, evaluation, motivation. Theoretical implications from this study contribute to enhance teaching quality by enriching course management, improving learning content, and facilitate management policies towards effective BL adoption

A managerial perspective on institutions' administration readiness to diffuse blended learning in higher education: concept and evidence

There has been rapid development in Blended Learning (BL) diffusion and prior studies mainly focused on issues related to students and lecturers in improving teaching and learning outcomes, but very few studies focused on institution?s readiness and diffusion issues. Thus, there is need for institutional-based research to guide universities, colleges, and polytechnics to strategically diffuse BL. Accordingly, this study develops a model to investigate the variables and associated factors that influence institutions' administration readiness to diffuse BL initiatives based on Diffusion of Innovation (DoI) theory and institutional BL adoption framework that comprises of mature implementation stage of BL. Quantitative research approach was employed and data was collected using online survey questionnaire from 223 e-learning administrators/managers in Malaysia universities, colleges, and polytechnics. Next, Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) technique was employed for data analysis. Results indicate that institutional structure, resource support, technology infrastructure, management strategies, and ethical considerations are key variables that positively predict administration readiness to diffuse BL initiatives in higher education. Additional results from Importance Performance Map Analysis (IPMA) in PLS-SEM suggest that institutional structure has the strongest effect on administrators? readiness to diffuse BL and is also the most important variable that influences BL diffusion in institutions. Theoretically, findings from this study provide insights on how institutions? administration perception and acceptance of BL approach can be enhanced. Practically, the developed model can be employed as a readiness tool to assess institutions current state in implementing BL environment and further provides a road map for future improvement

A managerial perspective on institutions' administration readiness to diffuse blended learning in higher education: concept and evidence

There has been rapid development in Blended Learning (BL) diffusion and prior studies mainly focused on issues related to students and lecturers in improving teaching and learning outcomes, but very few studies focused on institution’s readiness and diffusion issues. Thus, there is need for institutional-based research to guide universities, colleges, and polytechnics to strategically diffuse BL. Accordingly, this study develops a model to investigate the variables and associated factors that influence institutions' administration readiness to diffuse BL initiatives based on Diffusion of Innovation (DoI) theory and institutional BL adoption framework that comprises of mature implementation stage of BL. Quantitative research approach was employed and data was collected using online survey questionnaire from 223 e-learning administrators/managers in Malaysia universities, colleges, and polytechnics. Next, Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) technique was employed for data analysis. Results indicate that institutional structure, resource support, technology infrastructure, management strategies, and ethical considerations are key variables that positively predict administration readiness to diffuse BL initiatives in higher education. Additional results from Importance Performance Map Analysis (IPMA) in PLS-SEM suggest that institutional structure has the strongest effect on administrators’ readiness to diffuse BL and is also the most important variable that influences BL diffusion in institutions. Theoretically, findings from this study provide insights on how institutions’ administration perception and acceptance of BL approach can be enhanced. Practically, the developed model can be employed as a readiness tool to assess institutions current state in implementing BL environment and further provides a road map for future improvement

Menepis Penyimpangan Manhaj Dakwah

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Factors associated with postnatally maternal-infant attachment in taif, Saudi Arabia

Background: The attachment is an important aspect of the relationship between mother and infant. However, besides mother, the other influential factors, including social and cultural environments, play a key role in the level of attachment to their infants. Therefore, the regional studies are needed to assess the impact of factors affecting attachment postpartum period. In this study, we investigated the effect of factors on mother–infant attachments in Taif city, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: The survey was carried out among 200 women 1–2 months postnatal, who were attending healthcare center in the middle of the city and were living in Taif city, Saudi Arabia. It was held during the period from January to March 2018. The survey was used to acquire sociodemographic data, reproductive history, and mother–infant attachment scale. Results: Out of 200 women, 172 (86%), 20 (10%), and 8 (4%) mothers showed positive, negative, and unclear attachments, respectively. Positive attachment was high among educated (90.6%) and employed (85.2%) mothers (P = 0.001). Furthermore, high gravidity and parity promote positive attachments. The positive attachment was more inclined toward girl child (95.7%), while the other factors including social support, being a full-term baby, breastfeeding, pregnancy planning, and history of abortion showed no significant effect on attachment. Conclusion: The psychological status of the mother is one of the governing factors which affect bonding during pregnancy and postpartum. Extensive care should be provided to pregnant women with high number of pregnancies especially if they are of lower level of education to help them avoid negative attachment with their infants

Exploring the role of blended learning for teaching and learning effectiveness in institutions of higher learning: An empirical investigation

As the years progress there has been rapid growth in Blended Learning (BL) adoption, but only few research focused on adoption issues related to learners, academic staffs and management. Thus, research is needed to guide universities in strategically examining learners, academic staffs and management adoption of BL. Accordingly, this study develops a model to facilitate university policy makers in their decision making to assess students learning and academic staffs teaching outcome. Furthermore, this study explores on the factors that influence BL adoption in universities, through an empirical study from the perspectives of learners, academic staffs, and management. In particular, it examines the current BL practice adoption effectiveness in universities. Based on extensive review of prior studies, survey questionnaires was designed and distributed to convenience samples of 87 students, academic staffs, and management in 3 Malaysia universities to validate the developed model. Next, Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to analyze the survey data. Findings reveal that supportive factors, attitude, learning mode, satisfaction, course management, and ease of use positively predict the perception of learners and academic staffs’ to adopt BL. Similarly, findings suggest that the perception of management towards BL adoption is positively determined by the strategy, structure, and support factors. Moreover, findings reveal that the impact of BL on learners’ effectiveness is positively predicted by achievement, engagement, involvement, retention, and cognitive outcome. Additionally, findings suggest that the impact BL on academic staffs’ effectiveness is significantly influence by delivery, performance, evaluation, motivation. Theoretical implications from this study contribute to enhance teaching quality by enriching course management, improving learning content, and facilitate management policies towards effective BL adoption

Blended learning adoption and implementation in higher education: A theoretical and systematic review

Technological innovations such as blended learning (BL) are rapidly changing teaching and learning in higher education, where BL integrates face to face teaching with web based learning. Thus, as polices related to BL increases, it is required to explore the theoretical foundation of BL studies and how BL were adopted and implemented in relation to students, lecturers and administration. However, only fewer studies have focused on exploring the constructs and factors related to BL adoption by considering the students, lecturers and administration concurrently. Likewise, prior research neglects to explore what practices are involved for BL implementation. Accordingly, this study systematically reviews, synthesizes, and provides meta-analysis of 94 BL research articles published from 2004 to 2020 to present the theoretical foundation of BL adoption and implementation in higher education. The main findings of this study present the constructs and factors that influence students, lecturers and administration towards adopting BL in higher education. Moreover, findings suggest that the BL practices to be implemented comprises of face-to-face, activities, information, resources, assessment, and feedback for students and technology, pedagogy, content, and knowledge for lecturers. Besides, the review reveals that the ad hoc, technology acceptance model, information system success model, the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, and lastly diffusion of innovations theories are the mostly employed theories employed by prior studies to explore BL adoption. Findings from this study has implications for student, lecturers and administrators by providing insights into the theoretical foundation of BL adoption and implementation in higher education

Toward a Sustainable Campus: Comparison of the Physical Development Planning of Research University Campuses in Malaysia

Physical development planning is a powerful tool for determining and shaping the living environment of any area, including on campus. If the growing social concern with sustainability is to be addressed by physical planning initiatives, the effectiveness of such initiatives must be assessed soon. The objective of this research is to study the effectiveness of the physical development planning of four research university campuses in Malaysia. These universities have undergone changes to enhance their sustainability. The scope of this research is limited to the physical planning of the campus. Four research universities have been chosen: National University of Malaysia (UKM), University Sains Malaysia(USM), University of Malaya (UM) and University Putra Malaysia (UPM). The research methods used consisted of a questionnaire, behavioral observations and a visual study. A total of 400 respondents were included and were divided equally among the campuses. The resulting data were statistically analyzed. The results from each campus were compared. The results obtained by questionnaire were cross-referenced with the findings obtained from other techniques (behavioral observation and visual study) to obtain a detailed explanation. The research found that many similar problems in physical development planning have arisen on each campus. However, the extent and severity of the problems vary based on the individual approach taken toward physical development planning. The results show that the most compact campus, USM has the fewest problems when compared to the other campuses. This finding supports previous research and indicates that a compact campus tends to create a sustainable pattern of life on campus

An integrative framework to investigate the impact of blended learning adoption in higher education: A theoretical perspective

The importance of Blended Learning (BL) in institutions is momentarily increasing at all educational levels and particularly for higher education. However, relatively little research addresses students, lecturers, and administrators' readiness towards BL adoption. Although, such study would support higher education to strategically assess current state and future direction of BL. Therefore, this study develops an integrative framework based on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) framework, Hexagonal E-Learning Assessment Model (HELAM), and Khan octagonal framework to investigate the impact of BL towards measuring students, lecturers and administrator's readiness and further explore on the intensity of implementation of BL impact in higher education. Survey data was collected from 87 samples from 3 Malaysia public universities. Findings from this study provide understanding of BL initiatives, and offers insights to universities on improving teaching and learning effectiveness. Besides, our findings will be valuable to improve the impact of BL implementation