Use of an online forum to promote use english language among engineering undergraduates

This study looks into the use of an online forum towards promoting use of the English language among engineering undergraduates at Kolej Universiti Teknologi Tun Hussein. In this study, eleven students from different demographic and educational backgrounds participated in an online forum on various topics of discussion created in a virtual platform over a period of twenty two weeks. An asynchronous online platform was used as a tool and site to collect electronic data consisting of messages posted by participants throughout the duration of the study. Research data was collected, coded and analyzed qualitatively using instruments of participant observation, informal conversation and content analysis. At the end of the study it was found that the various participants despite their differences in academic, proficiency and ethnic backgrounds were encouraged by the freedom of use whereby they had an interestingly unique online opportunity to use the language both for academic and socializing purposes. They were found to be freely and openly indulging in online communication activities touching on many topics of interest using the English language. The study also found that participants used various linguistic features when communicating inside the medium. The online forum, thus, proves beneficial and may serve as a very useful tool towards assisting students to use the English language freely and purposefully in their daily settings

Communication satisfaction among academic staff in Malaysian public universities

Communication satisfaction is of dominant position in any organization as it contributes to the effectiveness and success of an organization. The communication satisfaction of an organization may affect the atmosphere in the organization which either encourages or hinders horizontal, upward or downward communication among the employees. In organizations with defensive climates, employees have the tendency to abstain from communicating their needs, as they become very cautious in making statements, and may have low level of motivation. Organizations with understanding atmospheres inspire active participation, healthy exchange of information and constructive problems resolves. The objective of the present study is to investigate the major hindrances and problems of communication satisfaction among academic staff of Malaysian public universities and its impact on management function and organizational communication. This study is expected to investigate communication satisfaction among academics with supervisory role in the respective university. It aims to determine the patterns of communication system in universities, to analyze various challenges to the communication and to suggest ways of improving communication system. This research study would foster the knowledge and understanding of improving of communication satisfaction in academic organizations particularly tertiary institutions and would help improve productivity and harmonious working environment adopt better process and programs in order to overcome

Exploring the Role of Culture in Communication Conflicts: A Qualitative Study

This research article as a part of larger study intends to explore the role of culture in triggering communication conflicts among employees at the workplace. It also explores the role of Problem-based learning in resolving these culture based conflicts. Being a part of human life, conflict is a pervasive aspect of the socio-cultural and professional environment, especially at the workplace. The role of culture has one of the aspects that have played a pivotal role in initiating conflicts in the past. Using a qualitative research approach, this descriptive phenomenology study gathered data from semi-structured interviews from eighteen selected employees belonging to three development organizations in Pakistan. The research used a purposeful sampling to derive sample for the study. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed through thematic content analysis. The findings from this study reveal that different aspects of culture have a significant role in triggering communication conflicts among employees. The respondents, however, suggested that culture-based conflict could be reduced and tackled effectively through the training of employees on PBL approach which bring together people of diverse cultures on one table

Relationship Between Inservice Training With Students' Achievements At TVET Insitutions In Malaysia

In-service training in the field of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) acts as a catalyst for students’ achievements. Nevertheless, studies on the matter is still lacking especially in the context of its contributions by the teachers attending the training with students’ achievements. This study, thus, aims to identify the effectiveness of in-service training attended by teachers at TVET institutions in Malaysia. Data gathered was collected using two sets of questionnaire, Set A and Set B. Set A was distributed to 43 teachers from technical schools while Set B was given out to 1225 students of the 43 sample teachers. Data collected was recorded and descriptive statistic analysis was carried out using SPSS version 12. Among the analysis carried out was the t-test to identify for differences in students’ achievements whom the teachers taught either by those who have or have not attended any related in-service training. Findings of the study found significant relationship between in-service training attended by the teachers and teachers’ teaching effectiveness, teachers teaching effectiveness with students’ achievements as well as between in-service training with students’ achievements

The Relationship between Organizational Communication and Employees Productivity with New Dimensions of Effective Communication Flow

Effective organizational communication can lead organization in asuccessful way, only if exists. Without proper information and planning anydeliberated decision cannot occur. There is a vast literature on organizationalcommunication and productivity of employees. However this research looksover the influence of effectiveness of internal communication on employees'productivity. The core concentration in this study is level of communicationin organization and how employees perceive communication, and what arethe effects of internal communication on their work capability. The focus ofthis study is on the relation of employees' efficiency in organizationalcommunication with the support of effective communication, as compare toprevious study that only concentrated on organizational communication andproductivity. Therefore after recognizing the effectiveness ofcommunication the employee's productivity flourishes in organizationalcommunication. Flow of effective communication in organizations developsthe strong bonding between staff and management, then employees gettrusted, that make them more productive

The relationship between organizational communication and employees productivity with new dimensions of effective communication flow

Organisations can be run successfully, only if effective organisational communication takes place. A decision, whether strategic or operational, cannot be made without communication and the necessary information. There have been extensive researches on the relationship of organizational communication and productivity of employees’ in the past. However, this study examines the impact of Effective internal communication on productivity of employees’ in organization. The main focus of this research is the organizational communication level of employees behavior towards productivity which is deemed important to investigate their level of effective internal communication and employees’ productivity. This is a distinctive study, as the previous researches focused only on the relationship of organization communication and the productivity of organization, but this study focuses on the link between Organization communication and employees productivity with the help of effective communication. Once the effective communication is identified then the organizational communication and its relationship with the employees’ productivity is ascertained

Kaedah pengajaran kemahiran insaniah dalam program kejuruteraan di politeknik Malaysia

Kemahiran insaniah merupakan antara kemahiran yang diperlukan bagi memastikan graduan memenuhi keperluan pasaran pekerjaan. Kebanyakan graduan kejuruteraan mahir dalam kemahiran teknikal namun kurang penguasaan dalam kemahiran insaniah. Kekurangan ilmu pengetahuan yang releven dalam kalangan pensyarah untuk mengenal pasti kaedah dan cara yang bersesuaian dalam proses p&p menjadi salah satu punca kurangnya kemahiran insaniah diaplikasikan, Kajian ini bertujuan mengena1 pasti kesan kaedah pengajaran terhadap pengaplikasian kemahiran insaniah dalam program kejuruteraan bagi pelajar kejuruteraan di politeknik Malaysia. 488 orang pelajar dan 332 orang pensyarah bidang kejuruteraan di PSP, POLIMAS, PSMZA, PKK, PKM dan PSIS telah disoal rnenggunakan instrumen soal selidik dan temu bual. Dapatan kajian mendapati tahap aplikasi kemahiran insaniah dalam program kejuruteraan di politeknik berada di tahap sederhana dan kemahiran kerja berpasukan merupakan kemahiran insaniah yang paling kerap diaplikasikan oleh pelajar. Penggunaan kaedah p&p bagi mengaplikasikan kemahiran insaniah dalam program kejuruteraan adalah berbeza-beza mengikut elemen kemahiran insaniah. Pengkaji mendapati kaedah projek berkesan bagi pengaplikasian kemahiran 'kepimpinan, pembelajaran berterusan & pengurusan maklumat, kemahiran berpasukan dan kemahiran keusahawanan. Kemahiran menyelesaikan masalah dan kemahiran berpasukan dapat diaplikasikan oleh pelajar secara efektif apabila pensyarah menggunakan kaedah amali manakala kemahiran komunikasi dapat diaplikasiakan melalui kaedah syarahan. Kajian ini turut mendapati kaedah lawatan berkesan bagi mengaplikasikan etika moral dan profesional dalam kalangan pelajar. Pengkaji juga mendapati terdapat hubungan antara tahap pengaplikasian elemen kemahiran insaniah dengan kaedah P&P yang digunakan oleh pensyarah. Berdasarkan hubungan tersebut, pengkaji telah menghasilkan model SoSTeM sebagai model aplikasi kemahiran insaniah untuk pelajar kejuruteraan

THE OPEN BOOK EXAMINATION

The purpose of this study is to identify student's perception about the effectiveness of the open book examination and their achievement in such exam as compared to close book examination. Using stratified sampling, 995 students with experience in open book examinations at Kolej Universiti Teknologi Tun Hussein Onn (KUiTTHO) were chosen as respondents. The instrument was a set of questionnaire. The instrument included questions of this study is a set of open book examination and close book examination and the students' marks for both examinations. SPSS statistical software was used to record the data and several analyses was done, using descriptive and inferential statistics methods such as mean, standard deviation and T-test based on objectives and hypotheses that had been determined. The results show that the students have positive reaction towards open book examination. The results also show that through open book examination students' achievement was better compared to close book examination

Integrating Vocational Training in Culinary Arts and Islamic Studies at Juvenile Rehabilitation Centres: Malaysian Experience

The Juvenile Rehabilitation Centres (JRC) in Malaysia aims to provide shelter, counselling and skills training to juveniles specifically for those who wish to transform themselves from the regrettable misdeeds they have committed. At JRCs, an integrated Culinary Vocational Training and Islamic education forms part of their training curriculum. The skills acquired should enable trainees to secure jobs upon completion of training. However, there are some training institutions that lack systematic training structures resulting in trainees becoming less skilful in both vocational and Islamic education. The objective of this research is to identify the effectiveness of an integrated Culinary and Islamic Education curriculum implemented at JRCs in Malaysia. This is a descriptive survey and data was obtained using questionnaire and interview. Respondents comprised 92 trainees, four managers, four culinary trainers and four Islamic education teachers, all from four different JRCs. The findings show that the trainees are happy with their trainings that brought about positive effects for them. Some suggestions have been made to provide improvements in the implementation of the course among them the inclusion of prayers in the Islamic education syllabus

New Classroom Setting for Problem-Based Learning: A Success Story

At Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia , Problem-Based Learning formally began in 2005. For PBL to be effective, the University introduced a simple yet innovative classroom setting for use in lectures, tutorials, task-based activities, role plays, video viewing and presentations. These unique “PBL Classrooms” provide far more learning and facilitation benefits than conventional ones. Each of the ten classrooms are slightly larger in size, comprise 41 single chairs, writing tables, whiteboards, 10 Internet points, Wi-Fi facility, a visualizer, an LCD projector, and a PA System. Data collected from a sample of 300 undergraduates reveal increased interactive learning, group dynamics, communication skills, team work, leadership, analytical and critical thinking, meaningful and joyful learning. On the part of the lecturer there was better facilitation and monitoring for more effective teaching