How do learners respond to computer based learning material which has been designed to suit their particular learning style

The development of ICT in education has changed the nature of people's learning. The evolution of Computer Based Learning (CBL) to virtual learning has had a huge effect on learning methodology. Learning theories from behaviourism, cognitivism and constructivism have been re-assessed. This study explored students' feedback and experiences when using CBL material which has been adapted to particular learning styles. Studies show that individuals learn in different ways. They have different preferences in collecting, organizing and delivering information. These differences impact on learning outcomes. The framework in this study concerns itself with modal preferences known as the VARK Model. The study focuses on CBL material which has been designed for learning new software. This learning material was designed with four different learning routes to appeal to those with dominant Visual, Aural, Reading and Kinaesthetic preferences respectively. The learning package was called the MINDs learning system. Respondents involved were student teachers in two Universities in the UK and Malaysia. Sixty two respondents agreed to participate interviews and in trialling courseware. Data was collected through questionnaire, survey, interview and observation. Quantitative and qualitative data was analysed descriptively, triangulation of the findings was carried out and conclusions were drawn. Findings from the study show that learning styles instruments measure general preferences rather than offering an indication of the specific context in which learning takes place. Matching learning material with particular learning styles did not significantly increase motivation, comprehension or have a major impact on learning. However, learners are aware of having learning styles and found that learning with suited learning preferences made them feel more comfortable. Recommendations were put forward for future research to design and develop a 'new type' of CBL material which takes into account individual learning preferences

Identification of Potential Risks and Controlling Factors Associated with Helicopter Operation: A Mix-Method Investigation from Oil and Gas Industries

This research article focuses on the identification of the characteristics of potential hazards and their suitable controlling factors for offshore helicopter operation at Malaysia and Saudi Arabia oil and gas drilling domains. In this study explanatory (Quantitative Leading to Qualitative) research design has been used for data collection and analysis process. While, 160 respondents for quantitative and 06 respondents for quantitative research has been participated in this study from targeted industries of Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. Likewise, descriptive statistical approach (Mean, Standard Deviation and Percentage) has been adapted for quantitative study and thematic analysis method has been used for qualitative part of this research. According to the descriptive statistical findings, respondents from Malaysian and Saudi Arabian oil and Gas industries are mutually considered Mechanical failure; Bad weather condition and pilot mistake are the major cause of offshore helicopter accidents with overall mean range 3.48 from Malaysia and 3.43 from Saudi Arabian respondent. Similarly, from qualitative results, respondent have highlighted mechanical and environmental hazard characteristics as a major cause of life-threatening accidents and injuries during offshore helicopter operation at targeted industries. Whereas, respondents from targeted industries highlights engineering and administrative controls as highly effective mitigating strategy to overcome potential hazards associated with helicopter operation

Cashless transactions through ecommerce platform in the Post-Covid-19

COVID-19 pandemic becomes one of the critical challenges that occur around the world that is impressed by the social environment of society. This paper is based on a literature review of the conceptual framework of cashless transactions based on attitude customized in e-commerce usage in post-COVID-19. The main purpose of this study paper is to formulate elements that are suitable for the proposed cashless transactions model based on attitude tailored to the use of e-commerce in post-COVID-19 to enhance trustworthiness value and best practices among consumers. The conceptual framework of cashless transactions based on attitude through e-commerce focuses on the influence of e-commerce usage features, perceived behavioural control (consumer abilities), and subjective norms related to motivational values influenced by the social environment. This research paper was also carried out based on previous studies and the use of Theory Of Planned Behaviour tailored to the conceptual framework of the study to be produced. This study proposes a cashless transactions model based on attitude primarily among consumers of higher education institutions. Based on the studies, focuses on the culture of using cashless transactions specializing in e-commerce platforms that will guide further studies in the future

Free broadcast DGPS service in marine: how good is it?

Differential GPS (DGPS) has been used widely in many types of application including for marine navigation and hydrographic surveying. Most of the recent DGPS receiver development applies the use of code and carrier phase on single frequency L1 C/A code receiver for submetre horizontal accuracy. Differential Global Navigation Satellite System (DGNSS) radio beacon is a system that uses the concept of DGPS based on pseudorange measurements. This system provides free DGPS corrections using the commercial reference station with proper receivers. The availability of reference station that operates 24 hours a day means that the users are no longer required to set up their own reference station. This study is intended to evaluate the performance of DGNSS radio beacon, not only for horizontal positioning but also for data availability and reliability at the remote receiver. For this purpose, static and dynamic test have been carried out on the DGPS corrections received from DGNSS radio beacon. Both of the tests make use of the National Marine Electronic Associations 0183 (NMEA 0183) data format generate by remote receiver to examine the DGPS broadcast signal. The results show how the distance separation (static test) effects the age of DGPS correction, horizontal dilution of precision (HDOP), numbers of satellite use and also the signal strength recorded at remote receiver. Meanwhile, the tracking method (dynamic test) differentiates the automatic and manual tracking results. This is to estimate the most suitable method to be used for marine navigation and hydrographic surveys

Developing K-Workers' Competencies Framework for Undergraduate University Students

The right competencies are required by students in the field of work in industry. A review of the literature study shows that there are several models that can be used as principles in shaping student competencies. The objective of this study is to build competency models for students that are in accordance with the field of work in the industry. Problems being discussed in this study are (1) How is the gap between competency of students and industrial needs? (2) What are the main dimensions of student competence? (3) What are the elements of competence in the 'k-worker' dimension? (4) How to design a 'k-worker' framework? This research applied qualitative method based on the support of quantitative data. The framework design of this study are exploratory by using the Modified Delphi technique from experts in the field of electrical / electronic to obtain qualitative data, which then a questionnaire to obtain quantitative data was distributed to students in four universities in Batam. Analyzed through demographic analysis, descriptive analysis, qualitative data analysis through interview and document review then analyzed by SEM. SEM analyze shows a K-Workers Model that fit to the experts and perceptions among students. The study shows that there are a huge gap between students and the industrial needs, student competencies are not as expected by the industry as users of labor services that caused by several factors. In addition, the study plan shows that the dimensions and elements of competence are needed by students. From the quantitative study, the distribution of questionnaire to all respondents in the form of technical faculty students from four universities in Batam and processed with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) obtained a model of competence "k-workers". This research should be done because of it significance in terms of theory, practice, and policy formation. The findings of this research are important in contributing to certain parties, particularly the Education and Training Institutions, industry and Employment Empowerment and testing and certification organizer

Technical Competencies in Digital Technology Towards Industrial Revolution 4.0

In the contemporary digitalisation and robotics world, industries are facing what is known as the Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0). The belief by most experts is that some professions will be replaced by emerging technologies. As such, the education sector is affected as only qualified, highly skilled and educated employees are required. IR4.0 technologies have created new jobs in meeting the needs of the existing market, as such more services and unique products will be introduced. Therefore, this study identifies the technical competency needed by industries towards future industrial revolution for TVET graduates. This study uses qualitative method and has implemented survey method of distributing a set of questionnaires to selected respondents. The study also employs the use of structured interview session with two TVET experts in order to support the findings. Purposive sampling was used to select the respondent, where the respondents comprised students and lecturers from Malaysian premier polytechnics, such as Ibrahim Sultan Polytechnic, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Polytechnic and Ungku Omar Polytechnic. However, only 197 final year students and 89 lecturers from bachelor’s degree level from four programs (civil engineering department, electric and electronic engineering department and mechanical engineering department as well as the design and visual communication department) were chosen. Analysis of interview session from the experts indicated that three critical technical skill themes are needed for IR4.0: analysing, interpreting and documenting data; understanding and optimising process; and, executing, troubleshooting and maintaining of devices. Findings from the survey concluded that the respondents’ level of knowledge and skills to most of the technical competency is still at the average level and requires a lot of improvement. This implies that new technical knowledge should be embedded in the new curriculum on technology for their future knowledge, in order to fit with the need of changes in technology

Exploring digital competencies domain and elements for information technology graduates in Malaysia

This paper explores the reliability of an instrument to evaluate digital competencies domain and elements for polytechnics’ information technology (IT) graduates in Malaysia towards future industrial revolution using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). This study thereby obtained 146 items from the previous phase (industries experts’ interview) which was later developed according to the study’s objectives. Experts validated the items, and after that, a pilot study was executed with 102 randomly chosen Polytechnics’ IT lecturers from four Malaysian Polytechnics as the respondents for this study. Four domains had been decided which are Personal Effective Competencies, Functional Competencies, Essential Competencies, and Industrial Revolution 4.0 (4IR) Competencies. Elements for each domain were created using the EFA, in which internal reliability was achieved for all construct dimensions. There were 15 elements gained through EFA for those four domains

Shari’ah supervisory board characteristics effects on Islamic banks’ performance: evidence from Malaysia

Islamic banks (IBs) must stay Shari’ah compliant to enhance their customer loyalty and obtain a competitive edge. Given the performance of Shari’ah supervisory board (SSB) continues to be a matter of concern especially for IBs across countries that have different regulatory environment, this paper aims to examine the effects of SSB characteristics on IBs’ performance in Malaysia being a country that applies the most extreme intervention of regulatory agencies (pro-active model). Design/methodology/approach A sample of 15 Malaysian IBs is used to test the study hypotheses for the period from 2008 to 2015 using the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator. Findings The results reveal strong support for a significant association between SSB size, doctoral qualification, change in the SSB composition and performance. In addition, the study supports the view that SSB with cross-membership and reputation are very important in improving the performance of IBs. Research Limitations Firstly, the paper focused only on Malaysia which adopts a pro-active model, and therefore, extending the investigation to include countries that adopt the different models may provide a better view of the best Shari’ah governance (SG) practices for IBs. Secondly, there is a need for more empirical analysis regarding the optimal SSB size of IBs. Practical Implications This paper provides empirical evidence for regulators and policy makers in Malaysia, to understand how to enhance the performance of IBs using Shari’ah governance. Furthermore, marketers of Malaysian IBs should focus on SG practices as an important element for attracting Muslim customers especially there is a lack in this aspect. Originality/value (mandatory) To date, it seems there is no empirical study that has examined to what extent the impact of SSB characteristics on IBs performance can be affected by whether the degree of agencies intervention extreme or slight. Malaysia has been chosen as the only country that adopts the most extreme model

Development of A Work-based Vestibule Training E-module For Accident Prevention at Malaysian Oil and Gas Drilling Industries: A Proposed Framework

This article discusses the conceptual action plan and detailed methodology for the identification of potential hazard controls and the development of work integrated E-vestibule training module for safe onshore and offshore oil and gas drilling operation at Malaysian industries. According to the previous studies, there is a sheer industrial need of an effective work integrated vestibule training module for accident prevention at oil and gas drilling sites at Malaysian drilling domains. In this proposed study, 80 drilling crew will be randomly selected for quantitative research phase. Similarly, 03 safety experts will be purposively selected for qualitative research from each drilling domain. Whereas, for the identification of hazard controlling measures What-If analysis and thematic analysis approaches will be adopted. Furthermore, the open source vestibule training module will be developed by using ADDIE based on identified hazard controlling measures. However, the visual studio and MySQL software will use to develop the E-Module for drilling crew safety training. The proposed E-vestibule training module development framework will be used as an effective source for the elimination of life-threatening drilling hazards associated with its activities at oil and gas industries. Similarly, the proposed framework can also be implemented on other work-based learning training designs. Moreover, this proposed safety and health vestibule training module will be the first E- drilling safety module which covers all onshore and offshore drilling operation in Malaysian oil and gas extraction settings

HOW DO LEARNERS RESPOND TO CBL MATERIAL BASED ON MODALITY LEARNING STYLE?

This is a report of case study exploring the reaction of learners to CBL material which has been purposely develop suited with learners based on VARK learning styles. It discusses the strengths and weaknesses of CBL and the concept of learning style. Courseware demonstrating the use of images and video clips within the presentation software PowerPoint was created with four different routes to appeal to learners with visual, aural, reading and kinaesthetic (VARK) preferences. This was trialled with 30 student teachers for whom the material was deemed appropriate in level and context. It was found that VARK preferences could not be reliably identified and that providing different routes only appeared to have a marginal impact on learners’ comfort with the material and no appreciable impact on measurable learning outcomes. Instead more traditional design concerns such as structure, navigation as well as clarity of sound and images appeared as more important to participants in the trials in a series of semi structured interviews. However, interest in VARK is valuable if it focuses the designer on using a mix of media in courseware and if it provokes discussion of the properties of different media