E-InductionUni and UiTMCJ LG120 Students’ Motivation to Participate in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Class

Abstract

e-InductionUni is an e-module created to substitute the physical induction programme that is normally conducted at the beginning of the semester with the freshly registered students of an institution. Previously, the Academy of Language Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Johor (UiTMCJ) was also one of the faculties which actively appeared in organising its face-to-face induction programme with the new intake of English for Professional Communication (LG120) students. However, the unwelcome visit of pandemic Covid-19 has shifted everything to a new norm and one of them is the implementation of Open and Distance Learning classes. Yusof et al. (2021) highlighted that Malaysia Movement Control Order has made it impossible for the face-to-face interaction between students and educators to be executed thus, ODL classes were starred as the ultimate alternative. The shift has triggered nerve-wracking anxiety among the students, educators, and educational institution management. This is because e-mailing manuals, pamphlets, and other pdf files and hoping for the students to digest all the information seem insufficient. Therefore, e-InductionUni was introduced to celebrate their admission to the university and introduce them to university life, especially ODL. The e-module was executed with the participation of 80 LG120 Semester 1,2, and 3 students. e-InductionUni involves common platforms and applications used in ODL namely Telegram, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Google Form. Throughout the programme, students were trained to do some activities by using the mentioned platforms and applications for familiarisation as a preparation for ODL. Apart from that, the participants were also virtually fetched by a bonus section of e-InductionUni called e-CampusTour (e-CT) for campus sightseeing. The participants were then asked to answer a set of questionnaires for their feedbacks on e-InductionUni and their motivation to participate in ODL classes. The quantitative data obtained were analysed using SPSS for frequencies. The results yielded listed positive feedbacks from the participants in experiencing e-InductionUni and virtuous motivation to conquer ODL. The findings will be beneficial for higher learning institutions especially faculties in terms of some of the suggested activities that could be included as part of their virtual induction.