LEARNING ACTIVATORS TO ENERGIZE SELF-STUDY USING COMPUTER-ASSISTED MODULE (CAM)

The maturity in attitude of learning amongst students in higher education is marked by the right choice in making decision during learning. Students make decision in every step of learning process from deciding to attend a class or leaving the examination hall. The decision is well influenced by motivation. During a decision making in learning using Computer-Assisted Module (CAM), students have the power to choose when, where, and how to study. The power is again closely related to motivation. But what would their motivation be when reacting to difficulties? What are the activators to keep them active and motivated when using CAM? Therefore, the focuses of this study are to identify students’ tendency in managing CAM; to determine their preferences in CAM; to obtain their reflections on learning using CAM. In this study, students were provided with a Computer-Assisted Module for topic Enzyme. The module contains adequate notes and questions that are aligned with the learning outcomes of the topic. They were given set of questions to provide their feedback on the learning activity. There were five aspects asked: managing CAM, comprehension, motivation, acceptance and preference. All responses were based on their perceptions. From those findings, learning activators are identified. These activators are useful information for curriculum designer to consider in their CAM designing as well for those who are in the open distance learning curriculum design field. Learning activators will help students to stay motivated and thus making not only right but good decisions

INCULCATING AWARENESS ON ANIMAL AND PLANT BIODIVERSITY USING PROJECT-BASED LEARNING

The study was conducted to identify the knowledge, perceptions and awareness on animal and plant biodiversity in Malaysia among the Diploma of Science students who have taken the Biodiversity and Evolution of Plantae and Animalia course. A project was given to the students within eight weeks. Questionnaires were distributed among the students at the end of the project about general biodiversity issues. A total of 75 questionnaires were returned. The respondents categorized the major issues that threatened the biodiversity in Malaysia. They also identified the five most importance animals to be conserved. The respondents also identified activities that have negative impact on biodiversity in Malaysia. The respondents showed positive perceptions on conserving the environment and positive awareness on biodiversity. This study may provide information in planning projects that may promote awareness on biodiversity and creating or developing conservation programmes among teenagers

Kompetensi Guru Gred Jawatan DG 52 dalam melaksanakan Pembelajaran Maya Menggunakan Google Classroom : Satu Pemerhatian Awal

Tujuan utama artikel ini ialah untuk mengulas kompetensi dan kemahiran guru gred DG 52 dalam melaksanakan pembelajaran maya menggunakan Google Classroom. Ulasan sistematik ini dilaksanakan dengan mengenalpasti semua komponen kompetensi guru gred DG52 dengan merujuk kepada deskripsi tugas yang telah ditetapkan oleh kementerian. Ulasan sistematik ini dilaksanakan menggunakan metodologi carian pustaka di mana terdapat 1389 artikel dan laporan yang berkaitan dengan kata kunci yang ditetapkan yang didapati menerusi Eric, Elsevier, Sage dan Goggle Scholar. Selepas tapisan, 112 artikel didapati lebih sesuai dengan kompetensi yang ditetapkan namun, 12 artikel terpilih untuk ulasan kerana menepati kriteria yang ditetapkan. Ulasan kajian lepas mendapati bahawa terdapat aspek-aspek yang berkait rapat dengan kemahiran-kemahiran serta kompetensi guru gred DG 52

MICROALGAE BIOMASS PRODUCTION AND NITRATE REMOVAL FROM LANDFILL LEACHATE

Microalgae biomass production during high nitrate landfill leachate phycoremediation is a viable process with numerous of commercial potential including production of valuable resources for bio-chemicals, bio-fertilizers, animal feeds and bio-fuels. Excessive nitrate in the landfill leachate could be assimilated into algal biomass, instead of being discharged and possibly cause hazardous effect to environmental and health. In this study, the biomass production, nitrate removal and the composition of protein, carbohydrate, and lipid content of locally isolated microalgae strain of Oscillatoria sp., Chorella sp., and Scenedesmus sp., from phycoremediation of landfill leachate were analyzed to evaluate its potential application. The strains were cultivated in a diluted nitrified leachate with 500 mg/L of NO3- concentration. The results obtained showed that nitrate removal was feasible with up to 74% of NO3- removal by Oscillatoria sp. About 59% of protein (w/w), 26% of carbohydrate (w/w) and 20% of lipids were observed in Oscillatoria sp., Scenedesmus sp., and Chorella sp., respectively

The use of critical reflection manual in writing reflective journal: a case study of Malaysian student teachers’ perceptions

Reflective journal writing is a common tool for reflection to engage student teachers (STs) in reflective practice during teacher clinical experience (TCE) or teaching practicum. However, studies have shown that STs who have undergone the TCE often demonstrated low levels of reflection in their reflective writings. Therefore, the purpose of this paper was to discuss the effectiveness of critical reflection manual (CRM) in promoting critical reflection among STs during TCE based on the STs’ perceptions. The CRM is developed through a systematic review of literature on various models of reflection, tools for reflection and approaches to developing a manual. It is developed specifically to guide STs to engage in critical reflection in their reflective writings during TCE. Primary data were collected from in-depth interviews and analysed by using content analysis technique. Eight STs from Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) who were given exposure to the CRM during TCE were purposely selected to be interviewed. The findings indicated that the use of CRM by the STs had an overall positive impact. In addition, most STs gave positive perceptions of the CRM and provided several suggestions for improving the effectiveness of this CRM

Mengurus Perubahan Semasa Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Bersyarat (PKPB) di Sebuah Sekolah Menengah: Suatu Pemerhatian Awal

Kajian ini menggunakan reka bentuk tinjauan menerusi kaedah pemerhatian di sebuah sekolah menengah dalam daerah Batu Gajah di Negeri Perak. Populasi kajian terdiri daripada 102 orang murid Tingkatan Lima di sekolah tersebut. Pemerhatian dibuat ke atas peserta kajian berdasarkan tempoh masa yang tertentu yang telah ditetapkan. Oleh itu, dari kaedah pemerhatian, keputusan yang diperoleh adalah lebih tepat. Menerusi pemerhatian, Model Kompetensi Kepimpinan Perubahan (MKKP) telah digunakan oleh pengetua semasa berhadapan dengan perubahan dalam tadbir urus sekolah. Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Bersyarat (PKPB) telah mengubah pembudayaan dan iklim sekolah menerusi kepimpinan pengetua. Kajian dijalankan setelah pembukaan semula sekolah bagi murid yang mengambil peperiksaan SPM dan STPM. Kepimpinan pengetua dapat dilihat menerusi pencapaian matlamat perubahan yang telah dirancang dari awal proses perubahan. Pengetua juga berjaya melakukan perubahan dengan cara yang kreatif dan proaktif terhadap sekolah tersebut. Hal ini dapat dilihat menerusi kepimpinan pengetua dalam menguruskan perubahan sekolah adalah amat penting kerana peranan pengetua sebagai individu yang bertanggungjawab secara langsung ke atas perubahan di sekolah

Student teachers’ level of reflection during teacher clinical experience: A case study in a Malaysian university

This study investigated student teachers’ (ST)level of reflection during teacher clinical experience (TCE). It sought to analyse the level of reflection among STs from a Malaysian university in the current practice of reflective writing and after given exposure to the critical reflection manual (CRM)during TCE. This study used Van Manen’s (1977) three-stage model (technical, practical and critical) to determine the level of reflection based on STs’ self-reflection notes in their daily lesson plan books (for the current practice of reflective writing)and weekly reflective journal writings (for STs who were given exposure to the CRM). The participants consisted of seven STs who were undergoing TCE from February to June 2014 (for the current practice) and eleven STs who were undergoing TCE from July to October 2015 (for those given exposure to the CRM). Each participant’s level of reflection was analysed based on Van Manen’s (1977) categorisation of levels of reflection. Results of the analyses showed that STs were barely reflective, demonstrating very low level of reflection for the current practice of reflective writing while STs exhibited practical and critical levels of reflection after given exposure to the CRM. Interpretations of the results are presented and recommendations are discussed within thecontext of the study

Synthesis and characterization titanium dioxide nanocomposite by laser ablation for antimicrobial applications

A composite nanoparticle containing Titanium Dioxide is synthesized by pulsed laser ablation. Oxide nanoparticles NPs have wide ranges of physical, chemical and biological properties. The main advantages In the present work, studying the characterization of colloid TiO2 NPs were synthesis by PLAL and investigated the antibacterial activity of colloidal TiO₂ NPs compared to the antibacterial activity of synthesized composite nanoparticles was tested against four different pathogen bacteria two-gram negative (Escherichia coli (E. coli), Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae)), institute of bioscience UPM university kindly supplied these bacteria. The bacterial suspension was made and adjusted by comparison against 0.5Mc-Farland turbidity typical (5x107cell ml-1) tubes. It was further diluted to obtain a final of 5x106cell ml-1. All bacteria strains were culture in agar media. The media was inoculated by the 0.2ml/5ml with either the bacteria strains, then added 0.5ml of TiO₂ nanoparticles at concentration 200, 400,600ml-1. The samples were incubated at 37°C. The bacterial growth was measured by optical density that absorbs strongly at 532nm wavelength. Conclusion that is the mean values of inhibition were calculated from triple evaluation in each assessment

The challenge of producing progressive teachers in Malaysia: a case study of reflective writings among UPSI student teachers

Because Malaysia is determined to produce high quality teachers who are able to become agents of change and empowered decision makers about their teaching practices, it becomes the responsibility of teacher education institutions in the country to train teachers to be reflective. This study examines 428 self-reflection notes (SRNs) of seven student teachers (STs) sampled from Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) during their teaching practicum. Semi-structured interviews were carried out to gauge the STs’ perceptions of the SRNs and identify the problems faced by them during reflection. The main aspects of the SRNs were feedback and assessment, lesson implementation, lesson preparation, classroom management and professional attributes. The reflection level of the STs was analyzed based on Van Manen’s categorization using content analysis of the SRNs reflective components. The findings revealed that majority of the research participants were barely reflective as their SRNs were mostly exhibiting at technical level. There were also SRNs that were at practical level but none of them had achieved the highest (critical) level of reflection. Among the problems encountered by STs when reflecting were the absence of a given format in writing SRNs, time constraints, workload problems, difficulty in suggesting recommendations to overcome problems, lack of guidance from supervising lecturers, and problems in determining aspects of focus in the SRNs

Space use and activity patterns of 3 species of diurnal small mammals in the Bangi Forest Reserve, UKM, Malaysia

Space use and activity patterns by 3 species of small mammals, namely, Tupaia glis, Callosciurus notatus and e. nigrovitatus were determined. The home range size of T. glis ranged from 9,544 to 73,470m2, C. notatus from 6,512 to 16,150m2 and C. nigrovitatus 10,970m2. There was no overlap in the ranges between individuals of the same species and sex but the ranges of different species overlapped. There was no significant difference in the mean daily distance moved among the studied individuals. All individuals showed a bimodal type of activity pattern