Aerated blast furnace slag filters for enhanced nitrogen and phosphorus removal from small wastewater treatment plants

Rock filters (RF) are a promising alternative technology for natural wastewater treatment for upgrading WSP effluent. However, the application of RF in the removal of eutrophic nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorus, is very limited. Accordingly, the overall objective of this study was to develop a lowcost RF system for the purpose of enhanced nutrient removal from WSP effluents, which would be able to produce effluents which comply with the requirements of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD) (911271lEEC) and suitable for small communities. Therefore, a combination system comprising a primary facultative pond and an aerated rock filter (ARF) system-either vertically or horizontally loaded-was investigated at the University of Leeds' experimental station at Esholt Wastewater Treatment Works, Bradford, UK. Blast furnace slag (BFS) and limestone were selected for use in the ARF system owing to their high potential for P removal and their low cost. This study involved three major qperiments: (1) a comparison of aerated vertical-flow and horizontal-flow limestone filters for nitrogen removal; (2) a comparison of aerated limestone + blast furnace slag (BFS) filter and aerated BFS filters for nitrogen and phosphorus removal; and (3) a comparison of vertical-flow and horizontal-flow BFS filters for nitrogen and phosphorus removal. The vertical upward-flow ARF system was found to be superior to the horizontal-flow ARF system in terms of nitrogen removal, mostly thiough bacterial nitrification processes in both the aerated limestone and BFS filter studies. The BFS filter medium (whieh is low-cost) showed a much higher potential in removing phosphortls from pond effluent than the limestone medium. As a result, the combination of a vertical upward-flow ARF system and an economical and effective P-removal filter medium, such as BFS, was found to be an ideal optionfor the total nutrient removal of both nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater. In parallel with these experiments, studies on the aerated BFS filter effective life and major in-filter phosphorus removal pathways were carried out. From the standard batch experiments of Pmax adsorption capacity of BFS, as well as six-month data collection of daily average P-removal, it was found that the effective life of the aerated BFS filter was 6.5 years. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction spectrometric analyses on the surface of BFS, particulates and sediment samples revealed that the apparent mechanisms of P-removal in the filter are adsorption on the amorphous oxide phase of the BFS surface and precipitation within the filter

Framework for sustainable TVET-Teacher Education Program in Malaysia Public Universities

Studies had stated that less attention was given to the education aspect, such as teaching and learning in planning for improving the TVET system. Due to the 21st Century context, the current paradigm of teaching for the TVET educators also has been reported to be fatal and need to be shifted. All these disadvantages reported hindering the country from achieving the 5th strategy in the Strategic Plan for Vocational Education Transformation to transform TVET system as a whole. Therefore, this study aims to develop a framework for sustainable TVET Teacher Education program in Malaysia. This study had adopted an Exploratory Sequential Mix-Method design, which involves a semi-structured interview (phase one) and survey method (phase two). Nine experts had involved in phase one chosen by using Purposive Sampling Technique. As in phase two, 118 TVET-TE program lecturers were selected as the survey sample chosen through random sampling method. After data analysis in phase one (thematic analysis) and phase two (Principal Component Analysis), eight domains and 22 elements have been identified for the framework for sustainable TVET-TE program in Malaysia. This framework was identified to embed the elements of 21st Century Education, thus filling the gap in this research. The research findings also indicate that the developed framework was unidimensional and valid for the development and research regarding TVET-TE program in Malaysia. Lastly, it is in the hope that this research can be a guide for the nations in producing a quality TVET teacher in the future

Learners’ motivation and learning strategies in english foreign language (EFI) in Indonesian context

This paper focuses on the field of individual differences in English Foreign Language (EFL) teaching and learning. Both motivation and language learning strategies in individual differences of students are emphasized among other factors. Motivation and language learning strategies are important to be understood as parts of student differences in English Foreign Language (EFL) learning in the context of learner-centered instruction. The issue of individual differences becomes important to develop the quality of EFL teaching and learning process. It summarizes the concept of motivation and language learning strategies, constraints in current English curriculum implementation, the importance of understanding motivation and language learning strategies in EFL teaching and learning, and poses those issues for further research on motivation and language learning strategies

The Imperativeness of Curriculum Improvement of Diniyah Education at the Wustha Level in South Kalimantan

Islamic educational institutions in South Kalimantan are mushrooming both formally and informally. It is because Muslims are predominantly. They are known to be very religious and even steadfast in applying Islamic values. Most of the educational institutions grow and develop at the initiative of community members (self-help). The distribution of Islamic Religious and Religious Education Institutions in South Kalimantan is 582 institutions. This shows the potential as well as the great responsibility that is carried out in helping the government to realize the goals of National Education. However, it is unfortunate that the diniyah education curriculum experiences stagnation does not up to date. It is not connected to the needs and expectations of the community. It is due to the curriculum tends to focus more on the teacher center. Therefore, the curriculum needs to be adjusted to the needs and expectations of the community. Hence, there is no gap between educational institutions and the community. The research method of this study used Research and Development (R&D). The approach used 2 steps, namely preliminary activities and curriculum improvement (development). The data resources obtained from questionnaires, interviews, observations, and documentaries. Participants are ustadz/ustadzah who teach subjects on diniyah curriculum, experts, and graduates. The results of this study indicate that the curriculum for diniyah education especially the wustha level in South Kalimantan is needed to be revised or developed. The curriculum should be adjusted to the aspirations, needs, and expectations of the community

THE CHALLENGES OF CHARACTER EDUCATION IMPLEMENTATION OF STUDENTS IN ISLAMIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AMIDST COVID-19 PANDEMIC

During the Covid-19 outbreak, learning at school was carried out remotely/online learning, this caused limited teacher and student interactions through online media, such as: Google classroom, Google meet, zoom meeting, and others. Communication and educational interactions through online media are very limited and unimpressive compared to face-to-face learning in class, children can be monitored and supervised their behavior can also be given direct guidance while only in class or school. However the current conditions are very different, this is an obstacle for teachers and schools to conduct moral development to children at an early age. One of the efforts that have been carried out in several Islamic elementary schools in the city of Banjarmasin is by providing online guides or guidelines through what's Up, Google Classroom. However, once again these activities are very weak in terms of supervision and monitoring. Therefore, there needs to be cooperation between the school and the parents/guardians of students to monitor the implementation of moral development which is uploaded through online media. In addition, the school provides online report forms that parents/guardians can fill out regularly. In this study, there are several approaches and techniques for fostering children's morals and several alternative solutions that can be applied by schools and parents/guardians of students in the context of moral development during the COVID-19 pandemic by using media online and designed of home visit progra

D A Y A H DALAM PERSPEKTIF PERUBAHAN SOSIAL

Dayah di Aceh merupakan lembaga pendidikan keagamaan dengan bahasa pengantarnya bahasa Aceh. Dayah sebagai lembaga yang mampu memberdayakan masyarakat agar mengembangkan potensi fitrah manusia, hingga ia dapat memerankan diri secara maksimal sebagai hamba Allah yang ta’at serta esksistensi dayah juga masih semakin diakui dalam memainkan perannya di tengah-tengah masyarakat sebagai lembaga dakwah. Dayah dan masyarakat juga merupakan sebuah hubungan yang sudah terjalin erat sehingga keberadaan dayah di tengah-tengah masyarakat dapat diterima dan menjadi sebuah gerakan perubahan dalam menciptakan suasana yang islami bagi masyarakat itu sendiri kemudian masyarakat dan dayah tidak lagi terjadi pertentangan baik dari pihak dayah maupun dari kalangan masyarakat. Setiap manusia pasti mengalami perubahan dan perubahan itu dipengaruhi dari berbagai faktor, apabila perubahan yang dipengaruhi oleh faktor agama maka masyarakat akan memiliki perubahan dalam prilaku keagamaan. Semua orang bersepakat bahwa kehidupan sosial tidaklah statis, melainkan selalu berubah secara dinamis. Tapi tidak orang mempunyai kesepakatan sama dalam mengartikan perubahan sosial. Malah, konsep perubahan sosial sempat diberi makna intuitif dan sebagai suatu mitos belaka. Dalam perkembangannya pun para ahli memperlihatkan perbedaan dalam memahami perubahan sosial. Pemaknaan konsep perubahan sosial kelihatannya masih problematik hingga kini. Oleh karena itu gerakan atau aktivitas-aktivitas dakwah dayah seperti majelis taklim di berbagai desa atau gampong diharapkan yang nantinya bisa menciptakan sebuah perubahan sosial sehingga bisa dirasakan oleh kalangan masyarakat itu sendiri, serta dalam menjalankan aktivitas dakwahnya, dayah tak hanya santri saja yang menjadi sasarannya akan tetapi masyarakat juga yang di luar dayah bisa mendapatkan ilmu tentang pengetahuan agama dari hasil aktivitas dakwah yang dilakukan dayah dan perubahan sosial bisa dapat dirasakan oleh masyarakat dari semenjak sebelum adanya dayah hingga dayah itu hadir di tengah-tengah masyarakat mampu memberikan perubahan, baik dari pengetahuan tentang agama maupun dalam proses pengamalan ibadah