Task induced involvement: the issue of reactivity on the development of vocabulary: a review paper

It has been widely recognized that learning and developing meaning of new words is dependent on the nature of linguistic input, memory, cognitive abilities as well as phonological, morphological and syntactic links formed by the learner. The interrelationship between language use and the construction of meaning of words is fundamental to language learning and language development. Reading comprehension tasks insufficient to promote the development of new vocabulary, as using complex cognitive processes need to be used in the development of new words. This paper demonstrates the use of verbalization of thought through think-aloud while engaging in language based tasks such as in reading comprehension as a way to encourage awareness of language cognitive processes, promote increased attention on meaning (micro and macro) and enhance the level of awareness which lead to these activities when given proper guidance may result in deeper processing and induce reactivity effect on the development of new vocabulary through reading. Through a deep review of literature on leaning and development of vocabulary based on the involvement load hypothesis. The paper proposes a particular focus on the issue related to the three components of the involvement load hypothesis (need, search, and evaluation) such as reading comprehension task that have related to the learning and development of vocabulary which have attracted the most attention in the issue of reactivity of think aloud on vocabulary development

A preliminary evaluation of short blended online training workshop for TPACK development using technology acceptance model

The use of Short Blended Online Training (SBOT) for the development of Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) is a promising approach to facilitate the use of e-learning by academics. Adult learners prefer the blend of pedagogies such as the presentation, demonstration, practice and feedback if they are structured and instructor-led with an efficient training length. In this paper, we suggest that SBOT has the potential to create a highly preferred environment for training if adult learning principles are considered. The study explores the evaluation of this mode of training by using Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The results show a great acceptance for this mode of training. Moreover, in practice, dual training modes can be offered for TPACK development programs, which may consist of face-to-face training and SBOT

Smart partnership between Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and FELDA Johor Bahru: Increasing interest in English and parents’ commitment

Smart partnerships formed between universities and communities have successfully solved many problems and enhanced the strengths of both parties. This case study examines the structures, resources, and processes that have formed and sustained one successful university-industry partnership in Malaysia. This study is based on a project “inculcating interest in English among children of Tenggaruh community area”, which aims to increase interest among students in rural areas to like, learn and use English. This paper focuses on 1) the benefits - building interest in the English language and commitment from parents in the rural area; and 2) the activities carried out in the project. The nine principles of good practice for community-campus partnership informed the study. A qualitative data-collection of background, interviews and observations are used to identify the personal experience of individuals involved (i.e administrators, facilitators, parents, community leaders and literacy teachers). The results show evidence that the four-year collaboration met all the nine principles of community-campus partnership, in terms of sharing of leadership and resources, people, guidelines and course of action to support the goals of the partnership. Students showed increased interest in the language; and the parents are committed to the sustenance of English use at home

Service quality in education: Management students' perspective

According to some scholars, the strategic success of a service organization depends on its ability to consistently meet or exceed customer service expectations. This study thus set out measure the service quality performance of a faculty in a public university. Based on stratified random sampling on 229 students employing a survey instruments that measure six dimensions of quality attributes, the result of the study revealed that the level of service quality in this particular faculty is moderate. Analysis showed that there are significant differences based on the students’ perception of this faculty service quality by year of study and race. However, there are no significant differences based on gender. Implication and limitation of the study are highlighted and further research discussions are suggested

Fabrication of low-cost, cementless femoral stem 316L stainless steel using investment casting technique

Total hip arthroplasty is a flourishing orthopedic surgery, generating billions of dollars of revenue. The cost associated with the fabrication of implants has been increasing year by year, and this phenomenon has burdened the patient with extra charges. Consequently, this study will focus on designing an accurate implant via implementing the reverse engineering of three-dimentional morphological study based on a particular population. By using finite element analysis, this study will assist to predict the outcome and could become a useful tool for preclinical testing of newly designed implants. A prototype is then fabricated using 316L stainless steel by applying investment casting techniques that reduce manufacturing cost without jeopardizing implant quality. The finite element analysis showed that the maximum von Mises stress was 66.88MPa approximately with a safety factor of 2.39 against endosteal fracture, and micromotion was 4.3um, which promotes osseointegration. This method offers a fabrication process of comentless femoral stems with lower cost, subsequently helping patients, particularly those from nondeveloped countries

Investigating TESL trainees’ perception on the level of readiness in teaching English for Science and Technology subject in school

The study generally attempts to investigate TESL trainees’ perceptions on their level of readiness towards teaching English for Science and Technology subject in school. It attempts to identify the level of readiness in the areas of knowledge in the EST subject, teaching skills as well as interest in teaching the subject as perceived by the TESL trainees. Questionnaires were distributed to 40 Fourth Year TESL trainees. The data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. The findings show very positive pattern which indicated that TESL trainees have positive perception towards their readiness in teaching EST subject. Also, this study proves that TESL trainees have a high level of readiness in the area of knowledge in the EST subject, teaching skills and interest in teaching the subject in school. This study hopes to provide TESL trainees with the information they need for self reflection and to equip them with skills and information for their own EST classes when they become teachers later on. At the same time, it is hoped that the study could assist curriculum planners to design more comprehensive and cohesive curriculum in the future in order to prepare TESL trainees better in the field pertaining to science and technology

English language literacy in rural community setting : an analysis of the environment to encourage and sustain the development of english language learning outside the classroom

This study was carried out in an attempt to identify the encouragement and support provided by parents in the learning of the English language at home, identify whether conducive environments are available at home, and to analyze the sustainability of learning of English in the rural area. A questionnaire was prepared and distributed to five different FELDA areas in the Johor Selatan FELDA district. Interview and observation were also carried out to ascertain the conduciveness of the home environment towards the sustenance of the use of English at home. A total number of 78 respondents completed and returned the questionnaires, while a total of 5 interviews were conducted with the settlers. The findings revealed that parents could do many things to sustain the use of English at home. The nature of the work and the level of education made it difficult for them to help their children with the English language. Most of them have a rather positive attitude towards the language. Many of them are aware of the importance of English to their childrens future undertakings and success. Most of them are rather optimistic about their childrens English status. Many of them are changing their attitudes and are making various efforts to help their children excel in education and the English Language. Recommendations for the parents include having workshops organise by FELDA management to teach what the parents can do to help at home, FELDA organise a weekly event to incite interest in the language among students at the individual areas, and work collaboratively to have English programs at the community level, such as having a public library, etc

Sport an agent in intergrating Malaysian society

Malaysia is a multiracial country having three races namely, Malay, Chinese and Indian. Each of these races practices a different religion, customs, rituals, language and belief system. During the colonial occupation and even immediately after Malaysia gained its independence in 1957, there was segregation of the main 3 main races with each race dominating only certain areas of Malaya, the Chinese congregated around the town areas specifically controlling the tin-mines industry, the Malays were seen mostly in the paddy plantation industry while the Indians dominating the rubber plantation industry. These differences are not only seen in their choice of occupation and living areas but even to the extent of their choices of sporting activities. With such differences and diversity in beliefs and practices one would think that it would be difficult for these different races to work together as a team. However, with the introduction of the Malaysian Sport Policy, the different races were able to work together as one big family. This paper will discuss how the elements of sport are able to bring together these three main races to work together as one team and be proud as a nation. The introduction of the Malaysian Sport Policy after the racial riot in May 1969 has successfully installed among the different races elements such as society togetherness, multiracial cooperation and tolerance, friendship and most importantly loyalty to the nation through sport and physical education. Sport is seen not only as a competition but it also acts as a catalyst integrating these three main races of different societal values. The paper provides an insight to how this policy is carried out, the elements stressed upon in the policy and the reported responses of the athletes themselves on the beliefs on how sport has brought them together as a team

Training the trainers: addressing challenges and meeting expectations

Efforts toward making Malaysia an effective global competitor in this challenging era call for communicative competence and mastery in English and/or other languages to ensure competency and effectiveness in our human capital. as such, various measures, drastic at times, have been undertaken by the Government to achieve the country’s aspirations. one such measure is the teaching of Mathematics and science in English in schools