Taking Concerns Into Account: Understanding The Technology Adoption Process From The Esl Teachers’ Point Of View

The dual emphasis on technology literacy and English Language profi ciency as prerequisites for Malaysia’s successful participation in the new global economy has elevated the need to reconsider the role of technological innovations in English Language Teaching. This study addresses the need to understand the concerns expressed by teachers pertaining to technology adoption in order to facilitate institutionalization of technology in ESL instruction. By understanding the adoption process from the teachers’ point of view, intervention measures relevant to the instructional context of the teachers can be better designed and developed. Using the Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM) as the theoretical framework, fi ndings of this study show that ESL teachers express technology adoption concerns characteristic of those of the typical non-user. The fi ndings also indicate that the number of years which ESL teachers have in terms of technological adoption experience has no signifi cant effect on resolving their self concern issues. Results of a one-way MANOVA further show no signifi cant difference in terms of the level of self-concern intensity between the teachers who had and had not attended professional development programs on ICT integration. It is thus argued that efforts to facilitate adoption and institutionalization of technological innovations in ESL instruction must go beyond deployment of technological infrastructure or making ICT training a requirement for all. If left unattended and unresolved, teachers’ continuous struggle with self-concern issues may inevitably become the cause for the discontinued use of technological innovations in their ESL practices

Effects of Listening to Al Kauthar Verse on Brain Physiology

This paper investigates the outcomes of a preliminary research brainwaves reaction when listening to Al-Khauthar. Quantitative electroencephalogram machine (EEG) was used to observe and record the brainwave activities while listening to Al- Khauthar. Findings shows that the dominant brainwave during listening to Al- Khauthar is Delta with 27.97 MV . In addition, the findings obtained from the data collected; it show that all brain regions which are Prefrontal, Frontal,Occipital, Post-central, Parietal and Temporal lobe are involved. Delta waves helped to stimulate the growth hormone and repair the brain cells or tissues. To conclude, listening to Al- Khauthar brought about calmness and relaxation to body and mind. Listening to the verse might stimulates the production of growth hormone and melatonin that control our sleep and wake up activites and consequently our relaxation

Brave New World for University Educators: Effects of Pedagogical Training on Teaching at Higher Education Level

Mastery of content knowledge and expertise in research are no longer the only requirements expected of university educators. Knowledge of a range of pedagogical skills is also elemental to ensure effective delivery of instruction, enabling meaningful transfer of knowledge takes place. Recognizing the need to develop and upgrade its academics’ pedagogical knowledge and skills, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), in 2002, initiated a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning program (PGDip in TL) with the objectives of developing and enhancing its academics’ knowledge, competence and performance in teaching. This paper presents the findings of a study which investigated the effects of pedagogical training, specifically the PGDip in TL program on UNIMAS’ academics approaches to teaching. Implication of the findings on the design and development of pedagogical training modules for university educators is also addressed

An investigation in the fabrication of fiber-based coupler

Optical coupler is an important component in a fiber optics system. To obtain a coupler, two fiber must be sufficiently close such that electrostatic field carried by the fiber overlap and partial transfer of energy to the other fiber occurred. In this work, the investigation on the fabrication of fiber based coupler is performed by using Acupler2000 fiber optic coupler manufacturing system. If two lined up fibers are sufficiently close such that the fields overlap, light can be coupled from one fiber to another. The two lined up fibers are twisted each other on the fiber holder of the pulling stage. The main control computer kept sampling the PDI and PD2 light intensity readings and calculated the coupling ratio, excess loss throughout the full process. The PDI, PD2, coupling ratio, excess loss and motor pulling distances displayed on the working window are updated continuously. The main control computer stopped the pulling process when the coupling ratio reached the desired value. The flow gas pressure is 1 bar. The desired value of excess loss for 50:50 coupling ratio is 0.07 dB with an insertion loss of 3.40 dB. The investigation showed to change coupling ratio at data setting and the value of coupling ratio for 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, 60/40, and 50/50 can achieved. Among the ten samples of SMF-28e, the best coupler obtained has an excess loss of 0, 09 dB and an insertion loss of 3.11 dB. The processes in fabrication of coupler such as twisted technique and stripped the centre of fiber technique influenced the excess loss and insertion loss

Constructing Sustainable Digital Learning Environments for Remote Rural Children of Sarawak

Children today are labeled as Digital Natives, because they are born into an era where ICT has already permeated almost all layers of societies around the world. However, digital gaps among children still exist, particularly for those born into underprivileged remote rural communities. Making technology accessible for all learners, irrespective of their geographical locations, is often viewed as the means for narrowing, if not eliminating digital divide. Presence of technology would definitely generate interest and discussion about its potential use especially among learners from rural remote locations. However, the debate is still open about the feasibility and capability of technology to initiate meaningful learning. This paper describes part of an on-going research to investigate the impact of using technology to supplement classroom learning among children of remote rural locations in Sarawak, Malaysia. One of the key goals of the project is to develop a technology literacy programme in an informal learning setting using localized content which are selected and built to sustain and enhance local cultures, beliefs and traditions that already exist in these remote rural locations. This project also investigates the factors that need to be addressed when planning, designing and sustaining informal learning experiences using technology for children of various ethnic groups, languages, beliefs and cultures

Brave New World for University Educators : Effects of Pedagogical Training on Teaching at Higher Education Level

Mastery of content knowledge and expertise in research are no longer the only requirements expected of university educators. Knowledge of a range of pedagogical skills is also elemental to ensure effective delivery of instruction, enabling meaningful transfer of knowledge takes place. Recognizing the need to develop and upgrade its academics’ pedagogical knowledge and skills, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), in 2002, initiated a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning program (PGDip in TL) with the objectives of developing and enhancing its academics’ knowledge, competence and performance in teaching. This paper presents the findings of a study which investigated the effects of pedagogical training, specifically the PGDip in TL program on UNIMAS’ academics approaches to teaching. Implication of the findings on the design and development of pedagogical training modules for university educators is also addressed