An insider perspective of lifelong learning in Singapore: beyond the economic perspective

This study traces the learning journeys of a group of people who overcame economic, social and/or educational disadvantages to engage in lifelong learning in Singapore. Studies in a number of countries have shown that people from economically, socially and/or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds are under-represented in postschool learning. However, in every country, there is a small group that has succeeded in overcoming economic, social and psychological odds to engage in lifelong learning and in this thesis such a group will be investigated in Singapore. In 2002, twenty-three people within this category were selected by the community as lifelong learners in Singapore. Thirteen of them volunteered for this study. Data collected through in-depth interviews were analysed using grounded theory methodology. The model of lifelong learning derived from emergent common themes shows that while it is true that utilitarian reasons usually accounted for the initial decision to engage in post-school learning, learning journeys were sustained by the development of learning careers, through the strengthening of learner identities and the development of learning dispositions.Sociocultural factors, such as presence of positive environments and supportive relationships with significant others, also influenced learning decisions. The findings thus confirm recent studies of the need for a sociocultural theory of lifelong learning and a more holistic approach to lifelong learning. There are important implications for Singapore which has achieved rapid economic growth since independence by adopting a pragmatic approach. Official discourses of lifelong learning are based on human capital theory. Hence, lifelong learning is seen as an investment in human capital, and often equated with skills upgrading for economic and political survival. The implications of this study are, however, that instead of focusing on the political and economic aspects of lifelong learning, future initiatives should examine other micro-contexts like family, work, schools and other institutions, with special focus on how people within these institutions can help support lifelong learning. It is also evident from the findings, that lifelong learning should be seen in its whole spectrum, as learning across the lifespan, from cradle to grave (lifelong learning) and learning that covers formal, nonformal and informal learning (lifewide learning).V

Modulation of Intestinal Dendritic Cells by Manipulation of Enteric Bacteria in Intestinal Inflammation

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves dysregulated immune responses to intestinal microbiota. Intestinal dendritic cells (DC) play a pivotal role in bacterial recognition, tolerance induction, T cell homing and differentiation. We hypothesized that alterations in human colonic DC are central to the inflammatory process, lymphocyte homing, and therapeutic responses in patients with IBD. Colonic CD11c+ cells have been shown to be activated in IBD but CD11c- cells have not been characterised. We identified, in ulcerative colitis (UC), a CD11c- population that had morphological features of DC, expressed MHC class II and Natural Killer cell marker CD56, expressed less activation markers and produced less cytokine, and were weakly stimulatory. Few were plasmacytoid DC. Their number increased in UC and Crohn’s disease (CD) but decreased after inflammation resolved. We explored function and homing properties of colonic CD11c+ DC, and their relationship with intestinal microbiota in IBD. In acute UC, IL-10+ and IL-12p40+ CD11c+ DC increased, and fewer CD11c+ DC expressed the homing molecule α-E (CD103). In active CD, IL-12p40+ DC increased and the ratio of pro:anti-inflammatory bacteria, namely bacteroides:bifidobacteria, correlated positively with IL-12p40+ DC; IL-6+ DC also increased and correlated with increased C-reactive protein, but negatively with antiinflammatory Faecalibacterium praustnitzii. In IBD probiotics and corticosteroids may work, in part, by modulating DC function. In UC patients treated with the probiotic mixture VSL#3, TLR-2+ DC and IL-12p40+ DC decreased while IL-10+ DC increased. In patients on corticosteroids similar changes were seen. Such effects were however not seen in patients on placebo. In conclusion, intestinal inflammation in IBD is associated with novel human colonic cells that share features of DC and NK cells. Intestinal DC function is influenced by composition of the commensal microbiota. Probiotics and corticosteroids are associated with altered “favourable” DC function; these effects may contribute to therapeutic benefit in patients with IBD

Hybrid Inflation, Dark Energy And Dark Matter

It has been suggested that the dark energy density \rho_v ~ 10^{-12} eV^4 in the universe is associated with a metastable (false) vacuum, while the true vacuum has a vanishing cosmological constant. By including supergravity corrections we show how this is naturally realized in realistic supersymmetric hybrid inflation models. With a fundamental supersymmetry breaking scale ~ TeV, the LSP is not a suitable candidate for cold dark matter. We consider axion physics to overcome this and simultaneously provide a resolution of the MSSM \mu problem.Comment: 11 pages, no figure

Learner Autonomy and Some Selected Correlates among Adult Distance Learners in Malaysia

Studies have indicated that the lack of self-regulated learning skills, or the inability to function autonomously may lead to adults dropping out of courses, failing to enroll in subsequent courses, and overall dissatisfaction with learning in distance courses (Calvin, 2005; Hisham, 2004; Zimmerman, 2001). Confessore, (1992) asserts that success is ultimately dependent upon the individual’s personal characteristics that define learner autonomy which lie in the psychological paradigm of individuals. This study examined to what extent distance learners in Malaysia are autonomous by investigating learner autonomy level among distance learners undertaking learning in the distance learning environments. Adult learners come from different background, skills and experiences and thus, may contribute to the different approaches and attitude towards learning. The adult learners’ diversified background in terms of their learning styles, perception towards learning environment, computer technology experiences and English language proficiency may influence their learner autonomy or intentions to participate actively and productively in a learning process. Thus, this study also examined whether these variables predicted the adult learners’ learner autonomy. A stratified structured sampling was used to select 370 adult distance learners of three universities in Malaysia which offered distance learning program. Data was gathered using self-administered questionnaires. Two hundred and forty nine distance learners or 69% of them completed and returned the survey questionnaires in this study. The results of the descriptive analyses revealed that distance learners in Malaysia showed a relatively low level of learner autonomy in their intention to participate in learning. Using Pearson’s correlation analysis, the study found significant correlations of learning styles, perceived learning environment, computer technology experience and English language proficiency to the learner autonomy profile (LAP) scores. Chi-square test of independence revealed that the higher the learner autonomy scores, the more learning styles were being utilized in learning. The distance learners perceived that environmental supports such as personal relevance in the course structure, instructor support and satisfaction enhanced learner autonomy. In similar vein, distance learners also indicated the importance of computer technology experiences and English language proficiency. Both variables showed moderate correlation with distance learners' intentions to participate actively in their learning. The Multiple Regression analysis revealed that the number of learning styles, perceived learning environment and computer technology experience showed statistically predictive of learner autonomy or distance learners’ intention to participate. However, English language proficiency was not included as a significant predictor of learner autonomy. The overall regression model was successful in explaining approximately 39.7% of the adjusted variance in learner autonomy. The model proposed is considered a good model as the results demonstrated that the overall scores of the three predictors show statistically significant in contributing to the variance of the criterion variable. All the hypotheses in the study were supported. The results of this study provided a number of theoretical and practical implications on the learner autonomy among distance learners in Malaysia. Recommendations were suggested to facilitate higher learner autonomy among distance learners. The need for further research on the learner autonomy was also highlighted

Effects of Suggestopedia on the Critical Thinking Skills of Selected Malaysian form Two Students

To develop learners' full potential intellectually and emotionally with the ability to think critically, learners need to be exposed to positive and constructive suggestions in a non-threatening environment. This research examined the effects of Suggestopedia on a selected group of Malaysian form two students' critical thinking skills using the COGAFF (cognitive and affective) taxonomy of questioning as a tool to assess the subjects' level of thinking. The research design used in this study was a nonrandomized control group, pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design on two groups of homogenous form two Malay students selected based on their form one final year examination academic performance. The research was carried out over a period of two weeks on two classes of students (25 students in the control group and 32 students in the experimental group). The instruments used were pretest questionnaire and posttest questionnaire, pre- and post- reading tests using the seven levels of COGAFF taxonomy of questioning, direct observation and interviews. The data and results collected were analysed using the SPSS for percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-tests and repeated-measures analysis of variance. The findings showed that there was no significant difference in the mean scores in the first posttest between the two groups of subjects administered immediately after teaching. However, there was significant difference in the mean scores in the experimental group as compared to the control group in the second posttest administered after two weeks. The findings also showed that subjects in the experimental group responded more positively to the lessons and reading texts as compared to the control group. This study concluded that the teaching method, Suggestopedia, had a positive and consistent effect on this group of form two students' critical thinking skills immediately after treatment and also after a lapse of time as compared to the control group with the normal classroom teaching method

The Impact of Network Relationships on Smes' Internationalization Process: A Case Study of Malaysian Firms

Today most business activities are global in scope. A firm that fails to make a global profit may well go out of business. Therefore, more and more Malaysian firms are striving to have an international presence. But when firms decided to explore international market, they begin to face a lot of challenges that require them to take strategic decisions. Therefore, this study intended to look into bow indigenous software firms use their network relationships to facilitate their internationalization process. This research used a multi-site case study methodology to more effectively identify and understand detailed international growth patterns and processes. Three respondent software finns were randomly selected from MSC (Multimedia Super Corridor) status SMEs (Small Medium-sized Enterprises). On top of that, a manufacturing firm was conveniently selected to compare differences on network relationships' influence on its internationalization process with those of manufacturing firms. In each case, upper level managers were interviewed. Information was also collected from printed documents or Internet to increase source validity. In summary, the evidences from the three software firms were found to support the firms' internationalization process in the following: • Network relationships trigger international opportunity. • Network relationships motivate firms to internationalize. • Network relationships influence firms' market selection decision. • Network relationships influence firms' entry mode decision. • Network relationships allow firms' to access additional relationships. • Network relationships allow firms' to access established channel. • Network relationships help lower cost and minimize risk. • Network relationships influence firms' internationalization pace and pattern. Therefore, managers need to have a better understanding of the impact of network relationships on firms' internationalization process as it facilitates their internationalization process through the above. A limitation of this study is that it focused on a single sector, software development firm, with only a manufacturing firm taken for comparison. It would be inappropriate to generalize the results too widely. Although case research provides a richness and depth of understanding, to enhance the qualitative approach, it is suggested that a quantitative research is adopted in future research to enhance or further reinforce the findings

A Critical Discourse Analysis of Representations of Bilateral Issues Concerning Malaysia and Singapore in Mainstream Newspaper Editorials

The newspaper’s main role is to transmit news and it is often regarded as a source of ideological significance. One of the modes of transmitting the ideologies in the newspapers is through the editorials. The mainstream newspaper editorial uses diverse styles and discursive strategies to express the voice of the institution’s opinions and often the beliefs of any dominant group the institution represents. This study seeks to explore the ideological similarities and differences within the structure of editorials in the two widely regarded major means of providing news to the public in Malaysia and Singapore: the News Straits Times (NST) and Straits Times (ST) respectively using an analytical paradigm adapted from Wodak’s Discourse-historical approach theoretical framework and Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) framework. A qualitative historical research design was employed in this study to corroborate the findings. The findings were obtained from macro-structural and micro-linguistic analysis of selected editorials from both newspapers and intertextual and interdiscursive analysis of the historical background of events and bilateral issues involving both countries at different time frames from 1965 to 2005. A purposive sampling of one hundred and twenty (120) NST and ST editorials related to the bilateral relations between Malaysia and Singapore identified twenty nine (29) NST and twenty five (25) ST editorials written on the outstanding bilateral issues between 1973 to 2005. The results indicate that recontextualization of the outstanding bilateral issues involving both countries were evident in both mainstream newspaper editorials at certain time frames. Varied patterns of argumentation and linguistic representations particularly ingroup and out-group deictics of “we”, “us”, “them”, “they” or “their”, emotive verbs and negative lexis were used implicitly and explicitly in the two mainstream newspaper editorials at different time frames to voice each newspaper institution’s ideological stance. The findings showed that each institution’s stance related to the historical bilateral issues were representative of the voices of the dominant group or the government of each respective country. Both the NST and ST institutions played mediator roles between the government and public readers. As a result, only newsworthy events related to the bilateral issues were reported through selective choices of words. In this respect, it was found that language was a powerful and influential tool in both mainstream editorials. This adapted CDA theoretical framework used in the study has therefore brought about some levels of critical awareness and insights into the outstanding bilateral issues involving Malaysia and Singapore at different time frames from 1965 to 2005

Occupational Stress among the Information Technology (IT) Professionals in Selected Companies in the Klang Valley

Stress in the workplace is becoming the most common complaint of the late 20th century employee. It is a costly, pervasive phenomenon in work organizations and many studies have been carried out in the west to investigate this area of human concern. The objective of this study is to examine the occupational stress level of the IT professionals in selected companies an d factors that cause occupational stress among them. It was hypothesize d that there were significant differences between occupational stress level and the demographic variables of the IT professionals. The demographic variables involved were 1) age, 2) sex, 3) education background, 4) work department, and 5) annual gross salary. The population in this study consists of the IT professionals from 5 companies in the Klang Valley. Questionnaires using six-point Likert-type scales were used to measure the variables. The data collected were analysed using the SPSS. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the demographic profile of samples. Independent t-tests were employed to compare the significant differences in the level of occupational stress for gender. The ANOVA was used for hypotheses testing the significance differences in the level of occupational stress for other demographic variables