Perspectives of Malaysian academics on the preparation of fourth industrial revolution for Construction Technology Program

The purpose of this study is to examine the perspective of Construction Technology academics from Malaysia vocational colleges on implementing the aspects of the industrial revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0). It was achieved by determining the degree of leadership support for vocational colleges, implementation of IR 4.0 components by academics, readiness for both generic and IR 4.0-related technical skills. This study was conducted using a survey method (cross-sectional study) where data collection and research findings were done only once during this study was conducted by applying the questionnaire method. The sample was chosen from among 408 academics from 42 vocational schools in Malaysia using Fisher's Formula. By choosing to work with a 95% confidence level, a standard deviation of 0.5, and a confidence interval (margin of error) of ± 5%, this study requires 198 samples for a better data findings and analysis. From 198 instruments distributed, only 45 instruments managed to be collected and analyzed due to limitation during global pandemic. The findings of this study were analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 20 by taking the mean value of each variable studied. The results of the study showed that the average mean score for each of the overall objectives of the study was at a high level which is between the mean ranges of 3.98 - 4.38. This shows that the level of implementation and readiness from the perspectives of vocational college academics in Malaysia in the field of Construction Technology is at a high level

Factors Contributing to Students’ Attainment in Design and Technology Project Work

Design and Technology (Reka Bentuk dan Teknologi) or known as RBT, is a new subject introduced as part of the Secondary School Standard Curriculum (KSSM) in 2017. The content of this new subject focuses on the daily application of technology, specifically through the implementation of RBT project work. There is a need to assess whether this subject has a positive impact on students’ achievement, especially in project work. This study aimed to examine the factors influencing the performance of lower secondary school students in Johor Bahru district in their RBT project work. A total of 374 form three students were selected as a sample using descriptive approach and utilising quantitative research design. A questionnaire was used as the research instrument. A pilot study was conducted, and the result was analysed using the Rasch Measurement Model to determine the validity and reliability of the instruments used. Furthermore, the study’s data were analysed using the SPSS 25.0 software. The study found that students’ interest (m), attitude (s), knowledge (p), and skills (k) in RBT is at a moderate level with the mean value for each variable for (m) = 2.61, (s) = 2.79, (p) = 2.75, and (k) = 2.73. The Pearson coefficient found a significant relationship between interest, attitude, knowledge skills, and students' academic achievement, where r = 0.543 (p <0.05) for interest, r = 0.568 (p <0.05) for attitude, r = 0.526 (p <0.05) for knowledge, and r = 0.515 (p <0.05) for skills. The results of this study prove the need for a more interactive and effective teaching approach to increase students’ interests, attitudes, knowledge, and skills to improve their performance in RBT project work

Augmented Reality Applications in Teaching and Learning for topic of Current and Voltage Division for Technical and Vocational Education

The combination of technology Augmented Reality (AR) with educational content aims to create new ideas that can improve the effectiveness and attractiveness of teaching and learning for students in real-life scenarios. The use of AR technology can make the process of teaching and learning more enjoyable, in which students' interest in learning can be stimulated. The AR technology has three characteristics. The first feature is that AR technology is a combination of virtual objects with the real world. The second feature is that AR operates in real time and interactively. The last feature is that it has 3 dimensions (3D) for virtual objects. In this study, the ADDIE model includes five phases, namely Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation, which are utilised to develop applications based on AR technology in education for the topic of Current and Voltage Division. To identify the effectiveness of the application of AR technology, a survey using questionnaire was conducted among pre-service teachers to know their perceptions of the development of AR applications namely as Voltrent AR. As this is a quantitative study where questionnaires were distributed to 73 students from the class of Bachelor of Technology with Education (Electric and Electronics) with Honours and Bachelor of Technology with Education (Living Skills) with Honours at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Skudai, Johor. Most respondents gave very positive feedback on the use of AR in education, especially for the topic of Current and Voltage Division. AR is viewed as a medium of instruction that is innovative, interesting and effective. Voltrent AR application development is successfully developed based on the ADDIE model, and the application development of the constructivism theory was applied in this AR application. Thus, the AR application development has reached the desired objective of producing application-based Augmented Reality as a teaching aid.&nbsp

Factors contributing to students’ attainment in design and technology project work

Design and Technology (Reka Bentuk dan Teknologi) or known as RBT, is a new subject introduced as part of the Secondary School Standard Curriculum (KSSM) in 2017. The content of this new subject focuses on the daily application of technology, specifically through the implementation of RBT project work. There is a need to assess whether this subject has a positive impact on students’ achievement, especially in project work. This study aimed to examine the factors influencing the performance of lower secondary school students in Johor Bahru district in their RBT project work. A total of 374 form three students were selected as a sample using descriptive approach and utilising quantitative research design. A questionnaire was used as the research instrument. A pilot study was conducted, and the result was analysed using the Rasch Measurement Model to determine the validity and reliability of the instruments used. Furthermore, the study’s data were analysed using the SPSS 25.0 software. The study found that students’ interest (m), attitude (s), knowledge (p), and skills (k) in RBT is at a moderate level with the mean value for each variable for (m) = 2.61, (s) = 2.79, (p) = 2.75, and (k) = 2.73. The Pearson coefficient found a significant relationship between interest, attitude, knowledge skills, and students' academic achievement, where r = 0.543 (p <0.05) for interest, r = 0.568 (p <0.05) for attitude, r = 0.526 (p <0.05) for knowledge, and r = 0.515 (p <0.05) for skills. The results of this study prove the need for a more interactive and effective teaching approach to increase students’ interests, attitudes, knowledge, and skills to improve their performance in RBT project work

The blockage ratio effect to the spray performances

Nozzle sprays are used in wide range of application. The used of nozzle application is depend on the spray characteristics, by which to suit the particular application. This project studies the effect of the air blockage ratio to the spray characteristics. This research conducted into two part which are experimental and simulation section. The experimental was conducted by using particle image velocimetry (PIV) method, and ANSYS software was used as tools for simulation section. There are two nozzles were tested at 1 bar pressure of water and air. Nozzle A (with blockage ratio 0.316) and nozzle B (blockage ratio 1.000). Both of the sprays performances generated by the nozzles was examined at 9 cm vertical line from 8 cm of the nozzle orifice. The validation result provided in the detailed analysis shows that the trend of graph velocity versus distance gives the good agreement within simulation and experiment. From result, nozzle A generated a wider spray angle and higher water droplet velocity which are 31.41 degree and 37.317 m/s compared to nozzle B which has produced 27.13 degree of spray penetration angle and 16.49 m/s water droplet velocity. As a conclusion, blockage ratio has affected the spray system by increasing the velocity of air inside the spray system. This is happened at a condition of 1 bar air pressure

Impacts of conceive-design-implement-operate knowledge and skills for innovative capstone project

Nowadays, the competitions among countries to recruit engineering students as workers do not focus on talents, but also on the reserve of it. The advancement of education in engineering field plays a big part in enhancing comprehensive domestic strength because the scientific revolution will contribute to important modifications of the industrial landscape. Therefore, Conceive- Design-Implement-Operate (CDIO) understanding and techniques are required for enhancing this field of education particularly for innovation of capstone project. Thus, this study was identified student knowledge and skills consist of teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills of the CDIO in capstone project involved two faculties which are Faculty of Biosciences & Medical Engineering (FBME) and Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FKE) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). Our respondents consist of 28 and 30 of third-year students from FBME and FKE respectively. Besides, this study also was identified the importance of the CDIO approach in the innovative capstone project. The method that used was a quantitative survey by using 5 Likert scale questionnaires. The average mean for all research questions indicated that the majority of respondents agreed that the CDIO knowledge and skills in the capstone project are important in engineering education. Hence, the engineering students must possess not only the skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and communication but also needs more knowledge that helps them to employability and adapt to real-world engineering problems

The blockage ratio effect to the spray performances

Nozzle sprays are used in wide range of application. The used of nozzle application is depend on the spray characteristics, by which to suit the particular application. This project studies the effect of the air blockage ratio to the spray characteristics. This research conducted into two part which are experimental and simulation section. The experimental was conducted by using particle image velocimetry (PIV) method, and ANSYS software was used as tools for simulation section. There are two nozzles were tested at 1 bar pressure of water and air. Nozzle A (with blockage ratio 0.316) and nozzle B (blockage ratio 1.000). Both of the sprays performances generated by the nozzles was examined at 9 cm vertical line from 8 cm of the nozzle orifice. The validation result provided in the detailed analysis shows that the trend of graph velocity versus distance gives the good agreement within simulation and experiment. From result, nozzle A generated a wider spray angle and higher water droplet velocity which are 31.41 degree and 37.317 m/s compared to nozzle B which has produced 27.13 degree of spray penetration angle and 16.49 m/s water droplet velocity. As a conclusion, blockage ratio has affected the spray system by increasing the velocity of air inside the spray system. This is happened at a condition of 1 bar air pressure

The attainment of soft skills among students: impact of abroad study visit program

This study aims to determine the impact of an abroad study visit program on the attainment of soft skills among the students. A questionnaire was used to collect the data using a five-scale range of answers. Thirty-five students were selected among the participants of the program. The data is analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, namely mean, standard deviation, and correlation. The primary finding obtained is that the program has provided a huge opportunity for the students to develop their professional ethics and moral indicated through the highest mean obtained by the items related to the construct. In terms of correlations, the positive and the strongest correlation is between the construct of Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills and the construct of Lifelong Learning and Information Management. The implications of the findings are also discussed

Investigating student's learning difficulties in shape and space topic: a case study

Learning difficulties in Mathematics causes students to struggle with the numbers, formulas, calculations, concepts and related shapes because it takes student’s patience and persistence. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the learning difficulties encountered by students in ‘Shape and Space’ topic. The contributing factors for such difficulties are also studied. Forty Standard Two (2) students from a primary schools in Kuala Selangor participated in this case study. Purposive sampling technique is used in this study. It was found that there are a few difficulties and its contributing factors encountered by the respondents. A test and semistructured interview were the instruments used for the data collection. The research findings show that 70% of the respondents are having difficulty in understanding and answering the questions related to the subtopics involving types of straight and curved surfaces, and the number of shape surfaces. Additionally, 80% of the respondents are having difficulty in the subtopic of 3-dimensional stretch of shape and how to draw them. The difficulties faced by the students are because of the inability to imagine the shape and the stretch (imagination), and inability to understand the stretch of the combined basic shape. Therefore, this study proposes the steps and initiatives for teachers in planning suitable learning activities to help the students in overcoming their difficulties

Non-Destructive Testing (Ndt) Teaching Implementation in Vocational Colleges: Perspective from Industry Experts

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) have been long introduced in vocational colleges (VCs) in welding technology courses focusing on post-weld inspection. The NDT careers are on the surge, and these fields are continually advancing according to Malaysia Bureau of Labour Statistic. Several previous studies on the lack of skills possessed by TVET graduates have been conducted, all of which present evidence on the mismatch between skills outlined by industry and ineffective curriculum. However, none of these studies concentrate on VC graduates or welding technology courses in Malaysia. The purpose of this study is to identify the expected implementation and suggestion of teaching and learning of NDT based on industrial needs in VCs from the perspective of industry experts. The present study opted qualitative research design where a series of interview was administered to four industry experts. The interview protocol was verified and validated prior to the interview session. The present study has identified five elements that are relevant and necessity in implementing teaching and learning NDT based on industrial needs; Function of MPT and DPT tools and equipment, Implementation of MPT and DPT tools and equipment operation, Technique of the MPT and DPT tools & equipment operation, MPT and DPT tools & equipment storage skills and MPT and DPT tools & equipment maintenance skills. The suggestions are improvement in VCSC to meet the industry demand, engagement with NDT industry and soft skills and computer skills need to be added in VCSC