Mathematics self-efficacy and meta-cognition among university students

The purpose of this study is to determine the mathematics self-efficacy and meta-cognition among university students. Two hundred and three respondents from a university in Malaysia were chosen through random sampling. Descriptive research design was used in this study. The Mathematics self-efficacy and meta-cognition Inventory was used to measure mathematics self-efficacy and mathematics meta-cognition. The data was analyzed using the descriptive statistic to measure mean and standard deviation of mathematics self-efficacy and mathematics meta-cognition. The findings indicates that most of the respondents have a moderate level in mathematics self-efficacy and also in mathematics meta-cognition. Further analysis shows that there is a positive relationship between mathematics performance and mathematics self-efficacy [r(203) = 0.311; p < 0.05] and also mathematics meta-cognition [r(203) = 0.216; p < 0.05]. The findings obtained from the study can guide mathematics educators on the importance of mathematics self-efficacy and meta-cognition of university students. This is where serious attention should be given in mathematics education to ensure the production of good students in mathematics. Overall, the findings of the research gave useful implication in the mathematics profession, especially in the field of mathematics education

Pengaruh dorongan sosial terhadap efikasi swadiri komputer dalam kalangan pelajar sekolah menengah

Kajian ini membincangkan pengaruh dorongan sosial terhadap efikasi swadiri komputer dalam kalangan pelajar sekolah menengah harian di negeri Kelantan. Seramai 413 orang pelajar tingkatan 4 yang mengambil mata pelajaran Information Communication Technology and Literacy (ICTL) telah dipilih secara rawak. Secara keseluruhan, nilai min bagi dorongan sosial terhadap penggunaan komputer adalah 3.90 (SP = 0.36) manakala nilai min efikasi swadiri komputer adalah 3.93 (SP = 0.34). Analisis korelasi Pearson telah mengenal pasti terdapat hubungan signifikan antara dorongan keluarga (r = .28), dorongan guru dan sekolah (r = .25) dan dorongan rakan sebaya (r = .26) dengan efikasi swadiri komputer. Analisis regresi linear menunjukkan bahawa ketiga-tiga dorongan ini mempengaruhi efikasi swadiri komputer pelajar di mana dorongan keluarga merupakan faktor paling mempengaruhi di ikuti dorongan rakan dan dorongan guru dan sekolah. Kajian telah membuktikan bahawa faktor dorongan sosial amat penting bagi menjana efikasi swadiri komputer pelajar yang baik

Reliability Analysis of the Counselor Activity Self-Efficacy Scale (CASES) In a Malaysian Context: A Preliminary Study

AbstractNumerous research findings have highlighted counseling self-efficacy, defined as the strength of perceived competencies in successfully performing the tasks and roles of a counselor, as one of the most important factors affecting counselors’ performance. This preliminary study incorporated item analysis and reliability analysis to determine the quality of the items, and reliability of the Counselor Activity Self-efficacy Scale (CASES) developed by Lent, Hill, and Hoffman (2003) in a Malaysian setting. It involved 30 final year students of Bachelor of Education (Guidance and Counseling) program in a public university in Malaysia. CASES is a self-administered instrument used to measure counseling students’ self-efficacy regarding their helping skills, management of counseling process, and coping with challenges of different counseling situations. Item analyses revealed that majority of the items of CASES are of high quality. The findings confirmed the overall internal reliability of the scale (alpha=.98). Specifically, subsections of the scale were highly reliable in measuring counseling self-efficacy of university students, helping skills (alpha=.93), management of counseling process (alpha=.95), coping with challenges of different counseling situations (alpha=.97). Implications of the findings for counselor education and areas for future research are discussed

Influence of personality factors on job satisfaction among secondary school counsellors in Selangor

This research is designed to identify school counsellors’ personality factors and to determine whether these factors determine the counsellors’ work satisfaction. Furthermore, the research is also designed to gauge the counsellors’ level of work satisfaction. 310 secondary school counsellors from 10 different districts in the state of Selangor were randomly selected as respondents. The research uses the quantitative approach. Data is obtained through a translated questionnaire taken from BFI and JDI. The reliability factor of the instrument is between 0.73 to 0.80. 142 counsellors (45.8%) of the respondents recorded a high degree of job satisfaction; 143 (46.1%) recorded average satisfaction while 25 (8.1%) respondents stated a low level of satisfaction. The results of the research also indicate that, with reference to the relationship between personality factor and job satisfaction, two out of five personality factors (namely agreeableness and neuroticism) show significant relationship with job satisfaction. All relationships show a positive correlation except for the relationship between agreeableness and neuroticism factors and job satisfaction. The results also indicate a significant influence of personality factor towards the counsellors’ job satisfaction. The implication of the study is also discussed and proposed in this article

Ingraining goal orientation behavior among Malaysian adolescents using Solution-focused group work (SFGW)

Setting goals can be reviewed as aspirations for future betterment especially among adolescents. Goal-setting process involves aspects like future planning, principles, values, priorities, application of knowledge and decision making.  This process varies according to individual needs and requires different approaches and guidance. Literature review prevailed that the essential ingredient of Solution-focused approach is setting goals. Solution-focused techniques found to be vital and crucial in assisting adolescents to set goals. Two objectives were drawn through literature reviews. Objective one is to determine the effectiveness of SFGW in increasing adolescent’s goal orientation behavior mean score between pre-test, post-test and follow-up test.  And, the second objective is to compare the effects between SFGW intervention module (treatment group) and traditional module (control group) on goal orientation mean score for post-test and follow-up test.  This is a true experimental with pre-test and post-test design using Solution-focused module and administration of questionnaires for data collection. A total of 66 samples who met the inclusion requirement were assigned randomly to experimental (n = 32) and control (n = 34) groups using paired-matched design.  The samples in experimental group were given treatment using the SFGW intervention program for seven weeks.  After the completion of the treatment, posttest and follow-up test were carried out and data was collected using Goal Orientation Scale.  The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, and one-way repeated measure ANOVA.  The study discloses that SFGW does significantly affect the level of goal orientation behavior among Malaysian adolescents

The influence of self-reflection towards counselor trainee self-development

The study on the self-reflection among counselor training has not been conducted comprehensively in Malaysia. Even though self-reflection is very important in counselor development, it is a unique process whereby counselors can reflect on intrapersonal, interpersonal and clinical issues that influences their work. This process will be able to assist counselors in understanding how and when their personal attitudes, feelings and personal values influence the counseling process, besides acting as a guidance in their work. This study examined the development of counselor trainee influenced by self-reflection. A sample of 100 counselor trainee from four university who are undergoing internship training participated in the study. Using quantitative methodology, measures include self-reflection (self-awareness and management strategies) and self-development. The study found that self-development correlated negatively with self-awareness (r = -.249, p =. 012 ), but positively with management strategies (r =. 632, p =. 000)

The relationship between parenting stress and perceived children's social problem behavior among Chinese working mothers

This study examines the relationship between parenting stress and perceived children's social problem behavior. The sample consists of 100 Chinese working mothers were sampled by cluster sampling methods. Parenting Stress Index-short Form and Eyberg child Behavior Inventory were employed to measure the parenting stress and children social problem behavior respectively. The result revealed that parenting stress is significantly positive correlated with perceived children social problem behavior in intensity (r = .431**, p < 0.01) and problem score (r = .716 **, p (0.0I). Besides, parental distress (r = .340**, p < 0.01), parent child dysfunction interaction (r = .398**, p < 0.01) and difficult child (r = .389**, p < 0.01) also moderately associated with perceived children social problem behavior in intensity score. The findings also noted parental distress (r = .435**, p < 0.01), parent child dysfunction interaction (r = .731**, p < 0.01) and difficult child (r = .672**, p < 0.01) also moderately associated with perceived children social problem behavior in problem score. Interestingly, the result showed household income (r = -.233**, p < 0.01) and numbers of children (r = .333 **, p < 0.01) are related to parenting stress. The result showed the higher the working hours, the lower the parenting stress (r = -.424**, p < 0.01). Hence, this study gives a guideline for the policy makers and counselors to design program which can benefit the parents and children as well