Faculty's acceptance of computer based technology: cross-validation of an extended model

The first aim of the present study is to validate an extended technology acceptance model (TAME) on the data derived from the faculty members of a university in an ongoing, computer mediated work setting. The study extended the original TAM model by including an intrinsic motivation component — computer self efficacy. In so doing, the study assessed the direct and indirect effects of computer self efficacy on the use of the technology, via the perceived usefulness and intention to use the technology voluntarily. The second purpose of the study is to evaluate gender and age invariants of the causal structure of TAME. This cross-validation procedure determined whether gender and age group moderated the causal structure of the model, and thus the generality of TAME. The data were collected from a self reported questionnaire administered to 731 faculty members of a public university in Malaysia.The results of structural equation modeling supported the adequacy of TAME. Although the TAME’s causal structure was applicable to both male and female staff, age group appeared to moderate the structural relationships among the constructs of interest

Benchmarking of postgraduate programmes in education in Malaysia

Introduction: Of late education organisations have been held accountable to address quality-related questions. EveI)' institution of higher education is subjected to an increasing demand for quality assurance. the underlying concern being the degree to which the "totality of the features aad characteristics of the organisation's product or service bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs" (International Standard Organisation 1986 definition. emphasis added). This means that higher earning institutions are expected to deliver products and services at some acceptable level of utility or benefit, specifically with respect to their core business teaching and learning. To address this pressing concern, education organisations have been assessing themselves by asking questions such as, "(1) How well are we doing compared to others, (2) how good do we want to be, (3) who is doing it the best, (4) how do they do it, (5) how can we adapt what they do in our institution, and (6) how can we be better thaa the best?" (Alslele, 1995: 2)

Invariance of an extended technology acceptance model across gender and age group

In this study, we examined the likelihood of a TAME (extended technology acceptance model), in which the interrelationships among computer self-efIicacy, perceived usefulness, intention to use and self-reported use of computer-mediated technology were tested. In addition, the gender- and age- invariant of its causal structure were evaluated. The data were collected from a self-reported questionnaire administered to 477 administrative staff of a public university in Malaysia. The results of structural equation modeling supported the adequacy of TAME. Although the TAME's causal structure was applicable to both male and female staff, age group appeared to moderate the structural relationships among the constructs of interes

Inculcation of values across the school curriculum: development and validation of teachers’ orientation scale

Teacher orientation to the inculcation of values across school curriculum – a function of the teacher knowledge and attitudes – has been conceptualized as his or her (1) identification with the goals of the curriculum, and (2) conformity with the predetermined instructional behaviours. Based on this framework, the study explored the construct of teacher orientation to the inculcation of values across schools subject. More specifically, the study examined the likelihood of two underlying dimensions explaining the presence of variability in teacher orientation and the reliability of the dimensions. Using a 15-item instrument developed earlier for a descriptive inquiry, the present study measured and analysed responses from 103 secondary school teachers from two randomly selected schools. To arrive at the conclusions, the study applied principal component analysis and Cronbach’s alpha procedures. The results suggested that teacher orientation to value inculcation is a multidimensional construct. The more reliable dimensions of Teacher Orientation were found o be goal identification, conformity to planning tasks, and conformity to delivery tasks. The results add new information to, and may serve as a guide for future research in this area

A prevalence of elevated ARR in rural Selangor

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of elevated Aldosterone Renin Ratio (ARR) in Rural Selangor. Methods This was a cross sectional study involving subjects in Kuala Selangor and Tanjung Karang. The World Health Survey Kish tables were used to select eligible subjects (≥18 years old) from each household. Their social demography, past medical history, anthropometric measurement and blood pressure were recorded. Blood were withdrawn for Aldosterone (ALD), Plasma Renin Activity (PRA), Creatinine (creat) and potassium (K). Raised ARR is defined as aldosterone/renin ratio of more than 20. Results A total of 392 subjects (age 55 +/- 14.1) were enrolled. Fourty three (11%) subjects showed an ARR > 20. Out of those with raised ARR, 16 (38%) were hypertensive, 2 of which were not taking any anti-hypertensive drugs and 27 subjects (62.8%) were normotensive. Only 2 (4.7%) of them were hypokalemic, one of them being hypertensive. Conclusion The prevalence of raised ARR in Rural Selangor was 11%, and only 4.7% of them were hypokalemic