Using CUBES strategy in a remote setting for primary mathematics word problems

Various research has been carried out worldwide over the years to identify ideal methods that are helpful to pupils when solving mathematical word problems. This study aims to examine the use of the CUBES Maths Strategy, a mnemonic device, to solve word problems and was conducted in a remote setting. An action research approach using a mixed method research was conducted where all data collected were analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The participants involved were pupils from a small local government primary school, aged between 8 and 9. Pupils’ test results from the given pre and post-tests were quantitatively analysed using Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test, which concluded that there was no significant change in the difference in test scores. Newman’s Error Analysis interview was conducted to investigate the source of errors committed by the pupils, which concluded that the most prominent type of error made is the Comprehension error, followed by the Transformation error. From the observations and reflections, it can be deduced that, as the research was done in a remote setting, the use of the CUBES Maths Strategy was not fully utilised. These results could be based on the interactions between teachers and students during remote online learning

Community-Based Corporate Social Responsibility: a Series of Confirmatory Factor Analyses

Purpose: Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), this study sought to develop and evaluate a new model of CSR activities from a community perspective.   Theoretical Framework: The levels of CSR activities are evaluated by the four dimensions summarized by Carroll (1991): ETH (Ethical dimension), PHil (Philanthropic dimension), Eco (Economic dimension), and Law (Legal dimension). Items in every dimension were validated using CFA. The ethical, philanthropic, economic, and legal frameworks also provided evidence of validity and reliability.   Design/methodology/approach: The study employed a cross-sectional survey method in which structured questionnaires were used to gather data from a randomly selected sample of 317 residents from three selected villages in the State of Malacca, Malaysia. The statistical analysis was performed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).   Findings: The CSR model approaches were validated and demonstrated to be effective. Four constructs' results demonstrated the validity and reliability of the measurement methodology for CSR practice components. The results showed that the fitness index is satisfactory. Additionally, all correlations were found to be less than 0.85, suggesting that the construct correlations are satisfied. Thus, the model is proven to be valid.   Research, Practical &  Social Implications: This research provides valuable information concerning community-based CSR practices that could supplement organizations’ efforts toward offering positive social contributions. This research could also help organizations to adopt a more creative approach to profit maximization.   Originality/value: This research developed a new model for community-based CSR. This new perspective can offer insights into the development of CSR in the Malaysian context

Simulated real time controller using modified hill climbing algorithm on fixed wing airplane

In dynamic systems, it is very difficult to have models with good accuracy that are sufficient to predict the plant behavior in a way that an acceptably controlled performance can be produced. Sometimes even if mathematical models are sufficiently accurate in a way that a good controlled performance can be obtained, long term operation (or even short term in some cases) gradually increases the difference between the plant and its dynamical model. That, in turn, would lead to a degraded performance. It is a common task in industrial applications to recalibrate the control system periodically, as the plant parameters suffer various fluctuations from their original values that were used in designing the control system. The calibration procedure usually requires professional attendance, which adds up to more maintenance costs. Also, the experimental nature of the manual calibration often requires at least part of the plant operations to be halted. Adapted from MRAC framework using PID and fuzzy controller, a modified climbing algorithm was introduced in order to compensate the signal. This simulation was applied in fixed-wing airplane pitch angle in Simulink MATLAB. The result demonstrated that effectiveness of the proposed tuning algorithm and improvement over the initial non-tuned response of the process

Integrating ICT and Learning Study in Teaching Conversion of Travel Graphs

This study reports on the use of ICT in Cycle Three of a Learning Study. The purpose is to enhance students’ understanding on the topic Conversion of Travel Graphs with the integration of ICT in Learning Study and to shift teachers away from the traditional methods of teaching to a more systematic and meaningful learning through the work of collaboration between colleagues. The research lessons, the tests and the rubric were all planned with the collaboration of teachers involved in this Learning Study. A class of Year 9 students in one secondary school in Brunei Darussalam participated in the intervention and sat for both pre-test and post-test. Analysis of the scores, comparing the results, observations of research lessons and student interview were among the methods used in this study. From the analyses, it was found that the integration of ICT in Learning Study had an impact to the students’ performance. Misconceptions were identified and they are ‘Common problems’, ‘Coordinates confusion’, ‘Formula dependency’, ‘Gradient-Area confusion’, ‘Keywords misinterpretation’ and ‘Misleading graphical feature’. Teachers had given positive views on Learning Study. The integration of ICT in Learning Study was also seen as a possible pedagogical tool in teaching

The influence of iteration number in PSO application for research reactor TRIGA PUSPATI

Global best position is one of the components in Particle Swarm Optimization to determine the ultimate result among the best solutions with the smallest error. This paper describes how the iteration affected the global best value and performs different output of the research reactor TRIGA PUSPATI. The swarm number is the same for both cases, but the number of iterations are 20 and 10 were studied. Generally, different iteration number gives a different value of global best value which yields different proportional gain value. The studies found that, when these different proportional gain values were applied into the system, the power output showed that the differences between them are small

Optimized proportional gain of PI controller using PSO algorithm for research reactor TRIGA PUSPATI

The controller for the TRIGA PUSPATI reactor console is a Proportional Integral controller. Although its signal response performance for power demand level is acceptable, some improvements are required. The power demand level is almost able to achieve the set point. However, the settling time, rise time, and steady state error can be enhanced to improve the response. This paper proposes an optimization technique to improve the proportional gain of the Pl controller using the Particle Swarm Optimization technique. The optimization technique was confirmed using several analyses and plotted graphs. The results showed that with the PSO approach, the performance was improved with faster response compared to the non-optimized controller. The fast responses of settling time and rise time as well as smaller steady state errors confirmed the improved power demand level for each case. The percentage of improvement was measured between 60–90% for response performance and more than 90% of improvement was measured for the steady state

Implementation of outcome-based education in Universiti Putra Malaysia : a focus on students' learning outcomes.

The move towards applying outcome-based education in teaching and learning at tertiary education level has become an important topic in Malaysia. Apart from th e three learning domains; namely, cognitive, psychomotor and affective, the Ministry of Higher Education has determ ined eight learning outcomes which are important in providing wholesome quality education to students. Universiti Putra Malaysia has conducted a study to determine the extent to which these learning outcomes have been achieved. The result shows the overall perceived achievements were as follows: cognitive domain was at level four, psychomotor domain at level four and affective domain at level three. The Ministry’s set of learning outcomes revealed the following results: The highest score went to providing KNOWLEDGE to students, while the least achievable learning outcome was MANAGERIAL AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS. The results infer that soft-skills among students were lacking and this problem needs to be addressed quickly and effectively

Primary School Pupils’ Performance on the Addition of Fractions: Conceptual and Procedural Knowledge

Fractions remain predominantly one of the most challenging topics to teach and learn. Brunei Darussalam is no exception, where a few local researches reported that students performed poorly in fraction topics. To understand this situation, this study focuses on pupils’ understanding in solving problems on fractions. Specifically, this study investigated Year 5 pupils’ conceptual and procedural performance on the addition of fractions. This study employed a quantitative research approach involving 572 primary school children. A test consisting of six carefully planned questions on fractions was used as the research instrument. The questions were divided into two sections to test pupils’ conceptual and procedural understanding laterally. The findings from this study revealed that children performed better in the procedural than in the conceptual questions. It can be concluded that most Year 5 pupils can correctly attempt the addition of fractions via procedural approach without understanding the essential concepts involved. Recommendation for future research was also discussed

Behavioral deformation model for virtual animal dissection

In this paper, we proposed a new method for computer dissection on animal as we use a set of techniques from behavioral deformation model. The reconstruction task was break down into 2 main steps: computation of the collision detection and the modeling of the external shape of neck and the four internal arborescence. The computer simulation tool was developed to manipulate the model and to define surgical resection planes according to internal animals. The first step of dissection simulation was implementing, embedding the model with the behavioral deformation computation. In this paper, we describe how to produce a realistic 3D model of the cow with collision detection for animal and slaughtering training. We address the problems of physical modeling and force feedback and how they relate to 3D representation and behavioral interaction. This research will also to make recommendations on the technologies required to create a virtual environment for the simulation of an animal dissection procedure incorporating haptic feedback. Our initial result is straightforward but is in significant improvements in the efficient physically based simulation of highly detailed parts