Cultivating positive values via online project-based module (M-Pat) / Ashfahani Zakaria … [et al.]

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the use of the Online Project-based module (m-PAT) to cultivate positive values among students. Evaluation was made to the positive values used in this study based on the six constructs of Contextual Development Model for Positive Youth Development namely competence, confidence, connection, caring, character and contribution (6C’s). The learning approach used by m-PAT is project-based learning which is applied as a School Based Assessment activity for Physics subject. A mixed method case study design was employed, where the findings of quantitative data were confirmed using the findings of qualitative data. A total of 42 Form 4 students were chosen based on purposive sampling from a secondary school in Klang Valley, Malaysia. The data were collected through questionnaire, student reflection, students’ online learning activity and discussion, interviews with the students, as well as teacher’s checklist after each participant generated a physic-learning blog by using the m-PAT as a platform. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively in form of mean scores and standard deviations to observe the distribution of students’ feedback on the constructs being studied. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis related to the constructs being studied and confirmed by teacher’s checklist. The results showed that m-PAT was able to cultivate all positive values of 6C’s among the participants of the study. Overall, the findings has important implications for contributing to a new approach in learning which integrates the use of information technology and communication via project-based online learning as well as making it possible for the cultivation of students’ positive values especially in relation to the use of the Internet. Further research with a larger number of participants is needed to support the present findings

Portrait drawings therapy: windows of hope for children with autism spectrum disorder

The paper reports a case study on the ability of a group of children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) in recognising face using portrait drawing technique. Sample comprised of four ASDs children and four non-ASDS children and eight teachers. Eight individual drawing sessions were conducted with the children sample. Data were collected using observations, interviews and Portrait Drawing Assessment (PDA) Instrument. Results showed that the two groups of children had different profile. The analysis was also able to identify the drawing developmental stage of each participant. The results imply that drawing technique has a potential to draw autistics children attention and teaching them to recognise faces. This paper concludes that portrait drawing session has a great potential to be an intervention for ASDs children developing communication. As the present study was the first for children with ASD in Malaysia therefore more evidences are required to confirm the finding

Reliability and validity of peer aggression coping self-efficacy scale

Worldwide, most of the mainstream media commonly reports bullying behavior. Nevertheless the instruments for measuring bullying behavior and the attitude towards bullying behavior among Malaysian adolescents are lacking. This study examined the reliability and validity of the peer aggression coping self-efficacy scale measuring the self-efficacy of bully victims among Malaysian adolescents. The scale, which consists of 45 items, was translated to Malay language using back translation method and its validity was examined using 176 high school students. The split-half reliability result revealed Cronbach’s alpha of 0.91, indicating a high reliability. Four experts in the counseling field established face validity. The Peer Aggression Coping Self-Efficacy Scale provides a useful measure for examining children’s self-efficacy

A path analysis of promotion factors of mental health

The purpose of this study is to determine if the model proposed to explain the effect of coping responses in stress that could promote mental health, fit the population of the Iranian university students. This study used path analysis to examine the Goodness-of-fit of the mediating effect of coping responses on stress in promoting mental health among Iranian undergraduate students. Three hundred and twenty-six students took part in the study. A community survey was conducted and the students completed a set of measures that assessed stress level, Coping Responses and Mental Health. Findings from the study show that the fit indices for this model are excellent. The RMSEA was 0.06, and the GFI and AGFI were 0.92 and 0.93, respectively. Approach responses (r=--0.24) and avoidant responses (r=0.28) were shown to have direct effect on Mental Health. All paths were significant at p < 0.05. Correlational results demonstrated that inter- intra personal stress had significant inverse relationship with approach responses and positive relationship with avoidance responses

Youth Workers with Disabilities: The Views of Employers in Malaysia

AbstractOne barrier for people with disabilities to obtain employment is negative perceptions of employers. As a result, many disabled people are underemployed. However, a small fraction of employers is willing to hire youth with disabilities. This paper presents the views of employers who hire youth workers with disabilities from vocational secondary schools leavers in Malaysia. Semi structured interviews that lasted for one and a half hours were conducted with three employers from service industries. Keywords or phrases were extracted, clustered, and interpreted into themes. The analyzed data were confirmed with the participants to ensure trustworthiness and reliability. The findings showed that the employers did recognize youth with disabilities as workers. The views of employers against workers were focused on the strengths and weaknesses in terms of personality and employee skills. The strengths of youth workers with disabilities in personality are hardworking, responsible, compliant, honest, and social ability. However, youth workers with disabilities have low self-confident, and are very sensitive, and easily influenced by negative elements. The employers realized that the youth workers with disabilities did master the basic work skills that fulfilled the employers’ needs. Nevertheless, they needed monitoring while working and repeated learning process if new training was given to them. The findings reported here were based on a pilot study of a larger research project. This study provided a conceptual framework of the findings. This pioneer study is expected to provide significant contribution in employment implications to youth with disabilities, and to reduce negative perceptions among employers in Malaysia