Technology and higher education: using e-learning tutorial as a pedagogy for innovation and flexible learning

The study was conducted to identify the use of an e-learning tutorial by pre-service teachers in educational psychology at the Teacher Training Institutions in Malaysia. This exploratory study involved 45 pre-service teachers, and the methods used to collect data were questionnaires and protocol interviews. Our preliminary study showed that the adoption of the traditional tutorial, which was a face-to-face interaction, lacked detailed discussion, was less comprehensive and only partially fulfilled the pro-forma and Teaching Learning Objectives (TLO) scheme. Therefore, an e-learning tutorial was implemented as an alternative method in the teaching and learning processes. The results showed that the use of the e-learning tutorial increased the mastery of knowledge and enhanced the higher order thinking skills of the pre-service teachers in their educational psychology courses. The study also found that the teachers thought the learning process was more enjoyable, quicker and easier than the traditional tutorial. Furthermore, the e-learning tutorial could be accessed anywhere and at any time, which in turn can reduce learning costs. The pre-service teachers were more collaboratively creative and critical during the e-learning tutorial discussion than during the traditional tutorial

Technology and Higher Education: Using an E-Learning Tutorial as a Pedagogy for Innovation and Flexible Learning

Abstract The study was conducted to identify the use of an e-learning tutorial by pre-service teachers in educational psychology at the Teacher Training Institutions in Malaysia. This exploratory study involved 45 pre-service teachers, and the methods used to collect data were questionnaires and protocol interviews. Our preliminary study showed that the adoption of the traditional tutorial, which was a face-to-face interaction, lacked detailed discussion, was less comprehensive and only partially fulfilled the pro-forma and Teaching Learning Objectives (TLO) scheme. Therefore, an e-learning tutorial was implemented as an alternative method in the teaching and learning processes. The results showed that the use of the e-learning tutorial increased the mastery of knowledge and enhanced the higher order thinking skills of the pre-service teachers in their educational psychology courses. The study also found that the teachers thought the learning process was more enjoyable, quicker and easier than the traditional tutorial. Furthermore, the elearning tutorial could be accessed anywhere and at any time, which in turn can reduce learning costs. The pre-service teachers were more collaboratively creative and critical during the e-learning tutorial discussion than during the traditional tutorial

Parental involvement in learning environment, social interaction, communication, and support towards children excellence at school

Role and parental involvement are important to produce excellence children in aspects of spiritual and physical. Malaysia Education Blueprint (2013-2025) through SARANA programme has been implemented at schools in Malaysia to increase involvement and participation of parents in giving support towards children excellence. Aim of study is to identify the level of parental involvement and support in learning. Parents Self-Assessment (PSA) has been distributed randomly to 391 parents during parents meeting at schools. Analysis of parental involvement focused on four main domains which are providing learning environment at home, social interaction with children, communication with children and support towards children excellence. Findings showed that providing learning environment at home (mean=0.78, s.d=0.23), social interaction with children (mean=5.40, s.d=1.63), and communication with children (mean=4.68, s.d=1.89) are at higher level mean score, while support towards children excellence show average mean score (mean=3.90, s.d=1.94). Implication of the study, support towards children excellence in praises, encouragement and guidance need to be improved by parents to help the school to increase achievement in education

The trends of academic achievement among Malaysia boys and girl: where are the boys?

Objective – Gender differences in education remain as one of the global issues that has been widely and comprehensively discussed. This study aims at exploring the pattern of academic achievement of boys and girls in Malaysia. Methodology/Technique – The study analyzes the data of student achievement in public examination from 2008 until 2014, which were obtained from the Malaysian Examination Board. Findings – The findings showed that Malaysian girls performed better than Malaysian boys. The findings also showed that there were significant differences in academic achievement between the boys and the girls. Novelty – This study implicated the need to identify the factors causing the achievement gap across genders. Hence, strategies and interventions can be undertaken to reduce the gap

The trend of academic achievement among the Malaysian boys and girls: where are the boys?

Objective – Gender differences in education remain as one of the global issues that has been widely and comprehensively discussed. This study aims at exploring the pattern of academic achievement of boys and girls in Malaysia. Methodology/Technique – The study analyzes the data of student achievement in public examination from 2008 until 2014, which were obtained from the Malaysian Examination Board. Findings – The findings showed that Malaysian girls performed better than Malaysian boys. The findings also showed that there were significant differences in academic achievement between the boys and the girls. Novelty – This study implicated the need to identify the factors causing the achievement gap across genders. Hence, strategies and interventions can be undertaken to reduce the gap