Companion Teacher Based on Sociological Stimulus During Learning to Improves the Acceptance of Inclusive Education Pupils in Receiving Skills and Information

This study aims to reveal about the acceptance of pupils in the skills and information learn done by teachers with companion teachers during teaching and learning sessions (T&L) to inclusive learning disability (LD) pupils. This study also aims to understand the specific characteristics of the pupils' learning styles based on their tendency to learn and the ability to process new information. This study is a case study using qualitative data to answer the questions stated. Researchers used the Dunn and Dunn Model as a guide in analyzing observational data of sociological stimuli in a learning style supported by video recordings, field notes, interviews, and analysis of student work outcomes. 6 participants were purposefully selected for this study among teachers, pupils, and parents. To identify individual learning style stimuli, observations on the behaviors exhibited by pupils along with the quality of learning and achievement outcomes recorded during the T&L process or after the T&L process. During the T&L process, characteristics or behaviors that reflect certain tendencies or elements of learning styles that exist in pupils will be assessed. Findings show that the stimulus of sociological learning style that is adjacent or next-to-pupils by teachers encourage or stimulate student learning.&nbsp

Phytoplankton Diversity in Relation to Different Weather Conditions in Two Urban Made Lakes

Many scientists have reported that global warming have significant impact on phytoplankton community, however, the impact of global warming on phytoplankton communities in suburban made lake is less understood. Therefor the objective of this study are to observe the effect of variable weather conditions on the diversity and succession of phytoplankton in mesotrophic lake (Seri Serdang) and oligotrophic lake (Engineering Faculty Lake). Samples were collected from surface water and species diversity (Shannon Weaver Diversity Index) was calculated. Daily weather and rain fall were recorded. A total of 65 species from five divisions (Chlorophyta, Euglenophyta, Cyanophyta, Bacillariophyta and Dinophyta) and 52 species belonging to six divisions (Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta, Bacillariophyta, Euglenophyta, Cryptophyta & Charophyta) were recorded from Engineering Faculty Lake and Seri Serdang Lake respectively. Division of Chlorophyta was found most dominant in both lakes during all the weeks (67%). The most dominant species in Faculty Engineering Lake was Microcystis aeruginosa during all weather conditions. Whereas, the most dominant species in Seri Serdang Lake during all weather conditions were Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Planktothrix agardhii. The phytoplankton density was low during dry weather conditions for both lakes. The present finding suggested noticeable correlation between weather changes to the alteration of population density of phytoplankton

Measuring Teacher Profession as Career of Choice Among Top Fully Residential School Students

Fully residential schools (FRS) or boarding schools in Malaysia produce quality candidates with towering personalities. This study seeks to explore the choice of career as well as the parents and gender influences on the career as a teacher among top FRS students in Malaysia. A survey design, which is mainly quantitative in nature, was used in this empirical study. A self-designed questionnaire was used in collecting data from 305 participants from three top FRS in Malaysia. This study revealed that only 6.2% of students selected 'teacher' as a career of choice. Other respondents opted for different professions such as medical doctors, engineers, and scientists. Of the students who chose ‘teacher' as their career of choice, 31.6% have one or both parents from a teaching background. The study also found that the influence of gender on the career as a teacher was not significant with t (303) = 0.446, p = 0.656. Several recommendations were made. This study suggests further increasing the FRS students' exposure to the teaching career with the recommendations proposed

Distribution, mobility, and pollution assessment of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Fe in intertidal surface sediments of Sg. Puloh mangrove estuary, Malaysia

Sungai Puloh mangrove estuary supports a large diversity of macrobenthic organisms and provides social benefits to the local community. Recently, it became a major recipient of heavy metals originating from industries in the hinterland as a result of industrialization and urbanization. This study was conducted to evaluate mobility and pollution status of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Fe) in intertidal surface sediments of this area. Surface sediment samples were collected based on four different anthropogenic sources. Metals concentrations were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Results revealed that the mean concentrations were Zn (1023.68 ± 762.93 μg/g), Pb (78.8 ± 49.61 μg/g), Cu (46.89 ± 43.79 μg/g), Ni (35.54 ± 10.75 μg/g), Cd (0.94 ± 0.29 μg/g), and Fe (7.14 ± 0.94 %). Most of the mean values of analyzed metals were below both the interim sediment quality guidelines (ISQG-low and ISQG-high), except for Pb concentration (above ISQG-low) and Zn concentration (above ISQG-high), thus suggesting that Pb and Zn may pose some environmental concern. Cadmium, Pb, and Zn concentrations were above the threshold effect level (TEL), indicating seldom adverse effect of these metals on macrobenthic organisms. Pollution load index (PLI) indicated deterioration and other indices revealed the intertidal surface sediment is moderately polluted with Cd, Pb, and Zn. Therefore, this mangrove area requires urgent attention to mitigate further contamination. Finally, this study will contribute to data sources for Malaysia in establishing her own ISQG since it is a baseline study with detailed contamination assessment indices for surface sediment of intertidal mangrove area