Characterization of human head phantom based on its dielectric properties for wideband microwave imaging application

Characterization of phantom material based on its electrical properties across 1 to 6 GHz is investigated and presented in purpose for modelling of a human head phantom. This article presents five phantom samples mimicking main head tissues, which are the tissue of grey matter, white matter, cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), blood and skin. The preparation of phantom samples is performed by using common and cheap materials, which are jelly powder, gelatine, water and sugar. The characteristics of materials used are discussed on the composition ratios and electrical properties. The electrical properties of materials are measured using a special dielectric coaxial probe connected to a vector network analyser (VNA). The obtained data is analysed in terms of relative permittivity, and conductivity, for the observation and further discussion on the characterizations. This phantom of the human head tissues later can be applied in the microwave imaging system for a further study on the health monitoring of the human body

Students' and lecturers' conceptions and philosophy of teaching and learning in university

This paper examines students' and lecturers' conceptions and philosophy of university teaching and learning at the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Johor. The study extends the earlier work by Taylor (1983) and Saljo (1979) and other study series by Entwistle, Mart on and their colleagues in the Western culture whereas several other works in Eastern cultures especially headed by Biggs. Watkins & Regmi, Kember & Gow and others. However, there is no such work done, recorded or extended in Malaysia. This study employs a combination of phenomenography inquiry (see Marton & Saljo , 1984; Svensson, 1985; Saljo, 1988) and quahtan vc paradigm (see Burgess, 1984a ,b; Bryman . 1988 ; Milcs & Huberman, 1994 ; Patton, 19 80, 1987; Merriam 1988) with in-depth exploratory, descriptive and analytical character istics (Yin, 1994; Stake, 1980 , 1995). Data from interviews were gathered from students from diffe rent years of study and different levels of academic staff members. The analysis was then carried out on the relevant parts of the verbatim transcripts of the interview which are subjected to two stage analysis. First, the findings are analyzed according to what emerged as the key research issue from the three original questions to answer conceptions and philosophy of university education and its teachin g and learning activities. Second, adopting the phenomenographic approach, expressions reflecting conceptions of learning were identified and grouped on the basis of similarities, differences and complementarities (Marton et al., 1993) and they are then organized according to both lecturers' and students' conceptions and philosophy of teaching and learning, respectively. The findings revealed that some qualitatively different conceptions of teaching and learning in Malaysia were similar to the Western findings and the philosophy held concorded to the international goals of higher education. However, further differentiantions have also been made within the various conceptions and some significant differences have been acknowledged which are due to 'soft' moral-cultural and strong religion influences. Conclusively the conceptions. philosophy and aims of university education in Malaysia are seen indirectly orientated to one major theme that is, 10 satisfy national political and economic orientations that may present conflicts in the system

Lecturers’ and TESL teacher trainees’ perceptions towards the level of readiness

The research was carried out to investigate the effectiveness of the subjects taught to the teacher trainees before their teaching practice and to determine the level of readiness in terms of subject knowledge and subject competence of the teacher trainees. The respondents of this research were 34 and 39 third and fourth year TESL students respectively. The respondents were required to answer the questionnaires. Five lecturers who had taught the TESL programmed and went out to supervise the teacher trainees from the Department of Modern Language (FPPSM) participated in the interview sessions. All the data obtained from the questionnaires and interview sessions were analyzed manually. The findings of this research proved that the exposure to the several subjects before teaching practice really helped the teacher trainees in performing their teaching practice. The teacher trainees were able to apply all the skills and techniques gained in the real classroom context. To conclude, the findings of this research offered some recommendations to further improve the performance of TESL teacher trainees during the teaching practice

Lecturers’ And Tesl Teacher Trainees’ Perceptions Towards The Level Of Readiness In Performing Teaching Practice

Teaching practice is a course offered to teacher trainees of the Faculty of Education, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. This course will enable the trainees to practice their teaching skills under the guidance of a supervisor. The research was carried out to investigate the effectiveness of the subjects taught to the teacher trainees before their teaching practice and to determine the level of readiness in terms of subject knowledge and subject competence of the teacher trainees. The respondents of this research were 34 and 39 third and fourth year TESL students respectively. The respondents were required to answer the questionnaires. Five lecturers who had taught the TESL programme and went out to supervise the teacher trainees from the Department of Modern Language (FPPSM) participated in the interview sessions. All the data obtained from the questionnaires and interview sessions were analyzed manually. The findings of this research proved that the exposure to the several subjects before teaching practice really helped the teacher trainees in performing their teaching practice. The teacher trainees were able to apply all the skills and techniques gained in the real classroom context. However, this research proved that many of the teacher trainees were not prepared in terms of subject knowledge and subject competence. Most of the trainees do not have deep understanding on subject knowledge and are still encountering problems in terms of their language proficiency. To conclude, the findings of this research offered some recommendations to further improve the performance of TESL teacher trainees during the teaching practice. The suggestions given would help the teacher trainees to enhance the level of readiness in terms of their subject knowledge and subject competence. This would enable the trainees to perform their teaching practice more effectively

A Study On TESL Trainees’ Perceptions Towards Classroom Delivery Skills

This study examines the perceptions of TESL trainees in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) towards classroom delivery skills. The focuses of this study include techniques of questioning and techniques of giving explanation and demonstration being employed during teaching practicum as well as the effects of these techniques towards students’ understanding. Data were collected from 50 TESL trainees from Faculty of Education, UTM. A set of questionnaire which consists of four parts was used as the instrument in this research. Besides questionnaires, seven trainees were interviewed to identify their perceptions of questioning, explanation and demonstration techniques. The result of this study shows that trainees are aware of the importance of these techniques and they had employed various strategies during their teaching practice. However, there are several aspects of questioning which trainees are still weak in. These aspects are sequence of questioning; habitual repetition of questions and students’ responses; asking too many questions at a time and the difficulty level of questions asked. On the other hand, trainees also show high level of awareness in terms of techniques of giving explanation and demonstration. 50 respondents had provided interesting introduction; used appropriate examples; showed positive teacher attitude as well as making sure presentations were visible and audible by students. Trainees’ perceptions on several aspects of explanation and demonstration are still in moderate level. These areas are informing learning goals to students; providing model and topic framework; encouraging peer learning in explanation as well as using concrete examples during explanation and demonstration. As a conclusion, trainees’ skills and techniques in questioning, explanation and demonstration can be improved in order to maximize the environment for effective learning and also to enhance students’ level of understanding

Understanding teaching effectiveness and student evaluation of teaching : issues, challenges and recommendations

This paper attempts to investigate effective lecturing, learning motivations and the use of student ratings as experienced both by students’ and lecturers’. The paper will elaborate understanding effective teaching, learning motivations and student evaluation of teaching. It will discuss on the conceptions of effective teaching and teachers and effective students and learning, and the issues, challenges and recommendations of using student ratings in teaching

Teaching effectiveness : motives, orientations and conceptions of teaching and learning in higher education

Teaching effectiveness is important because effective teaching helps student learning. It has become even more important as the emphasis on quality in higher education has increased. Effective teaching does not occur by chance. Effective teachers have become good at what they do because they evaluate their practice

Use of learning resources on the World Wide Web (WWW) among UTM Students In Project Based Learning for English Academic Purpose

This research is a survey on the use of learning resources on the World Wide Web (WWW) for project based learning for the subject English for Academic Communication among UTM students in Skudai, Johor Bahru. 218 UTM students from various faculties were involved in this research. Data were collected using questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings indicated that in general UTM students used the learning resources on the WWW moderately for their project based learning especially for those students who are currently taking English subject UHB 1322

Detecting drowsy driver using pulse sensor

The driver’s condition, which involves staying focus on the road, is the most important aspect to consider whenever one is driving. To ignore the importance of this could result in severe physical injuries, deaths and economic losses. Again, previous researches were focused mainly on the physical conditions of the driver; eg movement of head and drowsiness. However, this research is focused on the driver’s heart rate by using an infrared heart-rate sensor or pulse sensor. These sensors are non-intrusively measured heart pulse wave from the driver’s heart. By doing experiment, the results show clear pulse wave signal can be obtained by looking at the low to high frequency (LF/HF ratio) which calculate HRV frequency domain of the driver’s heart rate time series. The LF/HF ratio shows decreasing trends as the drivers go from the state of being awake and alert to the state of drowsiness. Therefore, accidents can be avoided if there is an alert system to keep the drivers alert and focused on the road

Designing course materials for Quranic Language 1: towards promoting student-centred learning culture in IIUM based on TBLT approach

Task-based language teaching (TBLT) is not a common approach in teaching Arabic for non-native speakers in Malaysia. Prior to 2012, teachers of Arabic language courses in CELPAD mostly used the traditional method in their teaching. Students relied totally on their teachers: from explaining the subject, translating the text, preparing the exercises until choosing groups of vocabulary that they must memorize. TBLT is implemented by CELPAD to produce IIUM graduates who are able to use basic Arabic language vocabulary in their conversation even though they are not majoring in Arabic-based programs. By introducing this new approach in CELPAD, it has created major changes in the teaching of Arabic language in IIUM. Students have to adapt to a totally different approach as compared to whatever they were accustomed to in their secondary school. Outside the Arabic speaking world, particularly in Malaysia, there are hardly any other institutions that employ such approach in Arabic language teaching. Therefore, this project is conducted to assist teachers of Arabic language in IIUM to adopt this new approach in their teaching process