Using web-based resources in learning : factors that affect degree students' readiness / Peridah Bahari and Salina Hamed

The widespread acceptance of Web Technology in our tertiary institutions has brought about changes in the style, quantity and variety ofresources that are made available to students. Fundamentally new learning environment is provided f or students. On the other hand, there is still question about student readiness in using the abundant resources made available to them on the Web. This study examines students' readiness in using web-based resources. Variables that were look ed into are demographic background, level of technology usage, level of computer resour ces usage and their perspective on technology. 294 qu estionnaires were distribut ed randomly to degr ee engineering students (electrical, mechanical and civil). Based on students' ability on using web-based resources, result obtainedfrom quantitative data showe d there was a significant difference between student from different semesters (F = 4.032, P = 0.000) and their accommodation (t =7.255 and p = 0.007). Results ofthe Pearson correlation analysis revealed that there was a fair degree ofrelationship between students' ability and students' attitude on web-based resources (r = 0.310, P = 0.000

Students' view on using web-based resources in learning: Qualitative study / Peridah Bahari and Salina Hamed

The widespread acceptance of Web Technology in our tertiary institutions has brought about changes in the style, quantity, and variety of resources that are made available to students. A new learning environment is available for students. However, there are still questions regarding the readiness of students in using the abundant resources made available to them on the Web. This study examines students' readiness in using web-based resources. Variables that were looked into are the level of technology usage, perspective on technology, motivation and attitude, learning styles, and expected support. Thirteen interviews were conducted randomly on diploma and degree engineering students (electrical, mechanical, and civil). Results obtained showed that students take the term web -based resources to be synonymous with the Internet, rating themselves as novices in computer usage, and commented that web-based resources could provide them with the latest and useful extra information. Responses given showed that students are mentally ready but not technically ready

Student readiness on using web-based resources: a case study / Peridah Bahari, Salina Hamed and A'bas Ismail

The widespread acceptance of Web Technology in our tertiary institutions has brought about changes in the style, quantity and variety of resources that are made available to students. Fundamentally new learning environment is provided for students. On the other hand, there is still question about student readiness in using the abundant resources made available to them on the Web. This study examines students' readiness in using web-based resources. Variables that were look into are demographic background, level of technology usage, level of computer resources usage and their perspective on technology. 621 questionnaires were distributed randomly to diploma and degree engineering students (electrical, mechanical and civil). Based on students' ability on using web-based resources, result obtained from quantitative data showed there was a significant difference between student from different semesters (F = 4.264, p = 0.0), type of accommodation (t = -2.233, p = 0.0), and family income (t = -2.453, p = 0.014). Weak correlations were found between student's ability and students' expertise, students' opinion, students' knowledge and regularity in computer usage

Jalinan pengajian tinggi dan rendah: Cabaran dan pengalaman / Rafizah Kechil, Peridah Bahari and Salina Hamed

Pencapaian pelajar dalam mata pelajaran matematik di kalangan pelajar sekolah di negara ini masih pada tahap rendah sama ada dari segi kualiti mahupun kuantiti. Masyarakat juga dimaklumkan bahawa pencapaian matematik pelajar di luar bandar adalah lebih rendah berbanding pelajar bandar. Mengambil kira senario ini, Projek Khidmat Masyarakat (PKM) telah dilaksanakan oleh beberapa orang pensyarah matematik (JTMSK) untuk membantu pihak sekolah mempertingkatkan motivasi pelajar dalam mempelajari matematik. PKM telah dijalankan terhadap 45 orang pelajar dari sebuah sekolah luar bandar di Pulau Pinang. PKM memberi tumpuan dalam peningkatan kefahaman sistem nombor peringkat rendah yang merupakan asas kepada mata pelajaran matematik dengan berbantukan teknologi maklumat. Kejayaan PKM didapati bersandar kepada beberapa pihak, umpamanya, jabatan pelajaran negeri, pihak sekolah, kemudahan peralatan, pihak UiTM, bahan pengajaran dan pembelajaran serta sikap pelajar itu sendiri

Effect of different concentrations of specific inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases on the shear bond strength of self-adhesive resin cements to dentin

Considering the probability of chemical and enzymatic reactions between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the dentin structure and their specific inhibitors, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of specific inhibitor of MMPs (galardin) on the shear bond strength of self-adhesive resin cements to dentin. Forty-eight sound human premolars were mounted in self-cured acrylic resin after removal of the enamel on the buccal and lingual surfaces. The dentin surfaces achieved were polished and prepared with 600-grit silicon carbide paper. The samples were divided into 3 groups (n=16) based on the concentration of galardin used (with no galardin, galardin at a high concentration and galardin at a low concentration). In addition, 96 composite resin blocks, measuring 3 mm in height and diameter, were prepared. The composite resin blocks were bonded to the buccal and lingual surface dentin with Rely-X Unicem (RXC) and Speed CEM (SPC) self-adhesive resin cements, respectively, according to manufacturers? instructions. After 24 hours of storage in distilled water at 37°C, the shear bond strength values were determined in MPa and fracture modes were evaluated under a stereomicroscope. Data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA and post-hoc Bonferroni test (?=0.05). The shear bond strength of galardin at high concentration was significantly higher than that in the control group and galardin at a low concentrations (P<0.001). In addition, galardin at a low concentration exhibited higher shear bond strength compared to the control group (P=0.005). Furthermore, higher shear bond strength values were reported with the use of RXC compared to SPC (P<0.001). Irrigation with galardin increased the shear bond strength of self-adhesive resin cements to dentin and this increase had a direct relationship with the concentration of galardin in the solution

Perhubungan antara persekitaran pembelajaran Matematik, sikap dan pencapaian akademik pelajar: Satu analisa kualitatif / Salina Hamed, Peridah Bahari and Abdul Ghani Kanesan Abdullah

Objektif artikel ini adalah untuk meneroka saling perhubungan antara persepsi pelajar tingkatan empat dari daerah Seberang Perai Selatan terhadap persekitaran pembelajaran matematik dengan (i) pencapaian pelajar dalam subjek matematik, dan (ii) sikap pelajar terhadap matematik. Elemen-elemen utama bagi mengukur keberkesanan persekitaran matematik adalah melalui persekitaran fizikal, prestasi di dalam mata pelajaran matematik, pencapaian akademik, dan konsep kendiri akademik (sikap terhadap matematik). Data dikumpul melalui sesi temu bual dan pemerhatian bilik darjah. Dapatan menunjukkan bahawa persekitaran pembelajaran matematik di lokasi kajian adalah positif iaitu subjek matematik diterima baik oleh para pelajar tingkatan empat dari daerah Seberang Perai Selata

Korelasi antara persekitaran pembelajaran matematik, sikap pelajar terhadap matematik, dan pencapaian pelajar dalam matematik : satu kajian kes / Salina Hamed, Peridah Bahari and Abdul Ghani Kanesan Abdullah

Kajian ini dijalankan untuk mengenal pasti korelasi antara persekitaran pembelajaran matematik, sikap pelajar terhadap matematik, dan pencapaian pelajar dalam matematik di 12 buah sekolah menengah di Daerah Seberang Perai Selatan, Pulau Pinang. Kaedah soal selidik digunakan dalam proses pengumpulan data tentang persekitaran pembelajaran matematik dan sikap pelajar terhadap matematik, yang melibatkan sebanyak 1,301 orang pelajar Tingkatan Empat. Data daripada proses soal selidik dianalisis dengan menggunakan teknik analisis statistik deskriptif, ujian t, korelasi Pearson, analisis varians sehala (ANOVA-sehala), dan regresi berganda. Dapatan analisis korelasi Pearson mendapati bahawa wujudnya korelasi yang signifikan antara persekitaran pembelajaran matematik dengan sikap pelajar terhadap matematik. Analisis teknik regresi berganda menunjukkan bahawa terdapat tiga peramal persekitaran pembelajaran matematik yang signifikan bagi sikap pelajar terhadap matematik, iaitu penglibatan pelajar, organisasi kelas, dan orientasi tugasan. Dapatan kajian ini juga menunjukkan bahawa wujud korelasi yang signifikan antara sikap pelajar terhadap matematik dengan pencapaian pelajar dalam matematik

Expert opinions on informational and supportive needs and sources of obtaining information in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a Delphi consensus study

BackgroundThe present study introduces informational and supportive needs and sources of obtaining information in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) through a three-round Expert Delphi Consensus Opinions method.MethodsAccording to our previous scoping review, important items in the area of informational and supportive needs and sources of obtaining information were elucidated. After omitting duplicates, 56 items in informational needs, 36 items in supportive needs, and 36 items in sources of obtaining information were retrieved. Both open- and close-ended questions were designed for each category in the form of three questionnaires. The questionnaires were sent to selected experts from different specialties. Experts responded to the questions in the first round. Based on the feedback, questions were modified and sent back to the experts in the second round. This procedure was repeated up to the third round.ResultsIn the first round, five items from informational needs, one item from supportive needs, and seven items from sources of obtaining information were identified as unimportant and omitted. Moreover, two extra items were proposed by the experts, which were added to the informational needs category. In the second round, seven, three, and seven items from informational needs, supportive needs, and sources of obtaining information were omitted due to the items being unimportant. In the third round, all the included items gained scores equal to or greater than the average and were identified as important. Kendall coordination coefficient W was calculated to be 0.344 for information needs, 0.330 for supportive needs, and 0.325 for sources of obtaining information, indicating a fair level of agreement between experts.ConclusionsOut of 128 items in the first round, the omission of 30 items and the addition of two items generated a 100-item questionnaire for three sections of informational needs, supportive needs, and sources of obtaining information with a high level of convergence between experts' viewpoints

Iranian Female Methadone Patients and the Perceived Educational Needs Related to Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Background: Iranian female methadone patients are at risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) due to involvement in high-risk sexual behaviours and/or needle sharing. The present study aimed to explore the perceived educational needs related to HIV among a group of Iranian female methadone patients. Methods:The research design was qualitative and the participants were sampled purposively. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 34 women and 19 clinicians in Sari, Mashhad, and Tehran, Iran. Then, qualitative content analysis was implemented. Findings: The emergence of three major themes and six minor themes was revealed. Women expressed a need to increase their knowledge including women-specific pathophysiology and disease progression and the modes of the virus transmission and prevention. Women also expressed a need to enhance their knowledge and skills related to the physical management of the virus including self-care and reproductive health. Other themes included perceived psychosocial needs including removing stigma and access to resources in the community. Conclusion: Women reported a wide range of educational needs from basic knowledge to advanced skills. The findings can be used in designing women-specific educational programs related to HIV in Iran. Larger studies are suggested with gender-mixed samples in the Persian contex

The Impact of Variables on Particle Size of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers; A Comparative Literature Review

During the past decade, pharmaceutical science has seen rapid growth in interest for nanoscale materials. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are popular research topics recently introduced as nano-scale drug carriers; they have shown numerous merits in drug delivery. Size is the most important index in a nanocarrier affecting its drug delivery efficiency. The influence of preparation conditions and type of lipidic components on the size of SLN and NLC in comparable states seems to be interesting for researchers who investigate these types of carriers. This review highlights the results of SLN and NLC particle size and size distribution comparisons