Psychological and physiological colour impacts on Malay students in the university hostel environment / Nurlelawati Ab. Jalil

Colour is an environmental stimulus that exerts an influence on human beings in a multitude of ways. The colour effect has been abundantly unequivocally demonstrated in previous research on the integration of multimodal approaches, such as from the psychological, performance and non-performance and preferences assessments. Nevertheless, little research has been conducted locally on the university students with the integration of physiological assessment and consideration of subjects’ living ecology, this being particularly true in the field of design. The fact that no specific colour scheme recommended for the interior of public buildings and double standard perceptions of the importance of visual stimulations are contributing to the monotonous looks at most hostel rooms in public universities. The condition becomes a norm to the students although numerous of research has posited the view that environmental stimuli are correlated with better performances and engagements while the existing white environment contributes to salient negative implications. Worse, inappropriate colours could cause low performances; indirectly affecting moods, dysphoria or depression and health problems among others. In this regards, physiology is another option in understanding the nature of human’s responses to their environments and, in this context, the coloured environment. This is because studies have postulated that colours are detectable in other modality, such as through parasympathetic activities and sympathetic activities, in the human autonomic nervous system (ANS)

Multisensory design elements in stimulating learning environment for Dyslexic children

This research aims to investigate multisensory design for stimulating learning environment for children with learning disabilities. Nowadays, there are many learning facilities like Dyslexia centres and schools exist in Malaysia due to increasing pattern of children with the symptoms. Regardless of the situation and arising numbers of existing Dyslexia centres, no standard guidelines to follow for classroom setting of the facilities in establishing the multisensory learning environment for the dyslexic children. Providing the correct support through a proper learning environment setting is very important as the condition is curable. However, an inappropriate corrective method would cause to delay of improvement or worse, affecting their social development which is important for their future. Therefore, understanding multisensory design elements are essential to all Dyslexia centres and schools in creating a stimulating environment for the children. The objectives of this research are to identify and determine the multisensory design elements for the interior spaces of Dyslexia centres and schools. Also, to assess the condition of the existing Dyslexia centres and schools in relation to the multisensory elements in stimulating learning environment for the dyslexic children. Direct non-participant observation was adopted for data collection method while analysis was done based on the availability of multisensory elements in the selected Dyslexia centres and schools. The research found that there are four (4) multisensory design elements that are important for stimulating and engaging learning environment for dyslexic children, which are; visual elements, auditory elements, tactile elements and kinesthetic elements. These integrated learning elements are essential and practical, particularly for dyslexic children. The research also found that most of the visited facilities are not providing sufficient learning standards that stimulate the learning environment for dyslexic students. Most of the facilities did not provide the principle elements of psychology in design which is the most crucial elements of the learning process. Upon the identified multisensory design elements, further and broader scale of research is recommended to establish a design guideline or standard requirements in designing Dyslexia centres and schools in Malaysia

Usability and adaptibility of personal mobile devices (PMD) for street vendors with physical impairments

Persons with physical impairments have limited regenerative abilities and mostly limited to some scope that they are able and unable to do and their participation in the activities are restricted. In Selangor, statistics show the increase number of registered people with disabilities and unemployed due to their limitations and restricted accessibility. They should enjoy independent life and have jobs, for example, by venturing into small medium entrepreneur sector. The role of entrepreneurship has become growing attention in the nation, especially in boosting income generation which is aligned with the current government agenda in development plan and the people with disabilities should not be left out from this agenda. Many forms of personal mobile devices have been introduced to overcome their difficulties. However, the usability of the devices and the ability of the users to adopt the devices are uncertain. This research aims to understand the potential of using mobile device as independent assistant for the users, especially for the street vendors with physical impairments. The objective of the research is to determine the potential criteria of usability of mobile devices for working environment of the vendors in small medium entrepreneur sector. The discussions are based on reviews of related researches and literatures from different sources that were published over the past decade. The data also were collected by interviewing a group of people with physical disability and on-site observation. A group of personal mobile devices was identified including independent wheelchair assistant, robotic wheelchair and wheelchair motorcycle. The results suggest that the device helps users independently access their local communities in some way, but there were several potential usability requirements and adaptability need to be explored. On the basis of the findings, further research to formulate design guidelines for the assistant mobile device for street vendor with physical impairment is exigency

Students’ colour perception and preference: an empirical analysis of its relationship

In a learning environment, colour is believed to be able to cause positive or negative behaviour such as avoidance or withdrawal behaviour; affecting performance and stimulate senses. It is learned that visual stimulation contributes to an improvement of attention span, develops cognitive abilities and refresh one’s perception towards his environment but varied due to differences of gender and background. This paper focuses on perception and preferences of colours for hostel room as a learning environment amongst undergraduate students at Universiti Teknologi MARA and Universiti Putra Malaysia. It aims to verify the previous findings concerning preference differences among gender in a population and extends the method using a visible colour survey. 798 students who are also the hostel residents aged between 19 to 27 years old took part in this random survey. The survey recorded patterns of students’ colour preferences and recommendation colour for their hostel rooms. The preference survey includes 11 colours (red, blue, green, pink, purple, brown, orange, yellow, white, black and grey) together with the colour description in value and saturation level with five-point Likert scales. Furthermore, the respondents were asked to indicate 12 emotional responses and nominated their preferred colour directly using visible colour survey method from a three dimensional unit of Munsell Colour Tree. The analysis reveals various patterns of colour preferences when the colour options are visible between genders which significantly influence their preference behaviour. The outcomes become the turning point to investigate the effects of colour on students’ alertness during learning activity based on subjects’ preferences and existing colour theory

Students’ colour perception and preference: an empirical analysis of its relationship

In a learning environment, colour is believed to be able to cause positive or negative behaviour such as avoidance or withdrawal behaviour; affecting performance and stimulate senses. It is learned that visual stimulation contributes to an improvement of attention span, develops cognitive abilities and refresh one’s perception towards his environment but varied due to differences of gender and background. This paper focuses on perception and preferences of colours for hostel room as a learning environment amongst undergraduate students at Universiti Teknologi MARA and Universiti Putra Malaysia. It aims to verify the previous findings concerning preference differences among gender in a population and extends the method using a visible colour survey. 798 students who are also the hostel residents aged between 19 to 27 years old took part in this random survey. The survey recorded patterns of students’ colour preferences and recommendation colour for their hostel rooms. The preference survey includes 11 colours (red, blue, green, pink, purple, brown, orange, yellow, white, black and grey) together with the colour description in value and saturation level with five-point Likert scales. Furthermore, the respondents were asked to indicate 12 emotional responses and nominated their preferred colour directly using visible colour survey method from a three dimensional unit of Munsell Colour Tree. The analysis reveals various patterns of colour preferences when the colour options are visible between genders which significantly influence their preference behaviour. The outcomes become the turning point to investigate the effects of colour on students’ alertness during learning activity based on subjects’ preferences and existing colour theory

Linking place preference with satisfaction: an examination of its relationship from Tahfiz students perspective

This paper explored the pattern of students’ learning setting preferences in Al Quran memorisation and satisfaction towards the settings in 10 consecutive days of an experiment. Subjects were assigned to five different Hafazan settings in their learning ecology set based on the findings from the literature. Eight indicators encompass the memorisation performance, comfort level towards setting arrangement and position, perceived wall finishes, furniture ergonomic, brightness level, temperature and privacy, were adapted to record their learning experience in manipulated settings. The objective of this investigation is to study the satisfaction and comfort level of students during Quran memorisation as well as to identify the preferences setting arrangement while memorising the given verses of Quran. The result is segregated between gender. It is pertinent to note, both genders prefer at seat at window face setting. However, male students would rather sit on the chair with a table provided while female students tend to choose sitting with cross-legged. In conclusion, both objectives are achieved. It seems both genders have different preferences in terms of position. The findings are significant for further investigation of Islamic learning ecology and behavioural studies, that is limitedly available for references. Implications of the findings discussed

Linking place preference with satisfaction: an examination of its relationship from Tahfiz students perspective

This paper explored the pattern of students’ learning setting preferences in Al Quran memorisation and satisfaction towards the settings in 10 consecutive days of an experiment. Subjects were assigned to five different Hafazan settings in their learning ecology set based on the findings from the literature. Eight indicators encompass the memorisation performance, comfort level towards setting arrangement and position, perceived wall finishes, furniture ergonomic, brightness level, temperature and privacy, were adapted to record their learning experience in manipulated settings. The objective of this investigation is to study the satisfaction and comfort level of students during Quran memorisation as well as to identify the preferences setting arrangement while memorising the given verses of Quran. The result is segregated between gender. It is pertinent to note, both genders prefer at seat at window face setting. However, male students would rather sit on the chair with a table provided while female students tend to choose sitting with cross-legged. In conclusion, both objectives are achieved. It seems both genders have different preferences in terms of position. The findings are significant for further investigation of Islamic learning ecology and behavioural studies, that is limitedly available for references. Implications of the findings discussed

Physical learning ecosystem and built environment of Tahfiz Institutions in Malaysia: a systematic review

Tahfiz education is common in Malaysia referring to the Islamic education system of producing ‘Hufaz’ or graduates who can memorize and recite the Quran. This study covers all types of Quran memorizing institutions in Malaysia namely, Pondok, Madrasah, Maahad, Centre and Institute. The aim of this systematic review is to identify the type of physical learning ecosystem (PLE) and the aspect of the built environment (BE) of the Tahfiz Institution (TI) in Malaysia. The research starts by defining the PLE and BE to establish the related variables to extracts from the literature. The keywords are also identified and established. The study covers a systematic literature search available from Google Scholars, Scopus, Web of Science, Crossref and Grey Literature. The scope of the literature chosen is specifically related to the Malaysian context. The quantitative synthesis of related research studies was used. The literature on PLE and BE of TI in Malaysia are still lacking as the areas are rarely examined directly, therefore content analysis of the related articles are used to establish the research findings. This research provides a summary of available studies on the PLE of Malaysian TI and BE features. The findings confirm that the lack of literature and studies on the BE aspects of TI in Malaysia highlighted the importance of the studies to upgrade the current infrastructure of TI. In addition to that, the research emphasizes the needs to acquire primary data of the existing conditions of and of the TI in Malaysia

Colour effect on physiology in stimulating environment

Colour is an environmental stimulus that exerts an influence on human beings in a multitude of ways. The effect of colours has been abundantly unequivocally demonstrated in previous research on the integration of multimodal approaches, such as from the psychological, performance and non-performance and preferences assessments. Nevertheless, little research has been conducted locally on the integration of physiological assessment and consideration of subjects’ living ecology, this being particularly true in the field of design. The objective of this paper is to propose an optimal colour for the hostel environment of female university students based on their heart rate responses. Four determined colours, namely strong red, bluish-green, pink and white, were painted in their rooms and divided according to exposures. In the experiment, a test and re-test method of assignment was conducted. The results show that subjects in the strong red environment were stimulated after a short exposure, while subjects in the bluish- green environment were stimulated after long and sustainable periods of exposure. In summary, the significance of a coloured environment is discussed with suggestions for a short, longer and sustainable period of exposure from a physiological perspective, the aim of which being better engagement

Aesthetic value of Rumah Kuttai

The introduction of Rumah Kutai as one of living heritage lab under Kulliyyah Of Architecture & Environmental Design has been a great contribution to the community of International Islamic University Of Malaysia especially for the lecturers and students to appreciate more on Malay traditional house. Rumah Kutai or known to be the traditional malay house of perak, one of the state at the North West of Malaysia. Rumah Kutai has a signature house looks simple, steep with dominantpitched roof shading the main house. Besides, the roof also has a minor extension to mark the entrance to the house. It has also gable ends that have a weaved bamboo panel to allow for air movement which act as natural ventilation with in the space inside the roof