Level In Malaysia Research Articles

Weblogs for English language learning: students' perceptions

The digital explosion of information on the Internet has resulted in a need for a new and up-to-date way for Digital Natives to learn English. Educators have reported numerous benefits of using weblogs in English language learning. This article presents a small scale study on the use of weblogs for English language learning at tertiary level in Malaysia. Twenty six students kept weblogs for a duration of a semester. This study investigated how students perceived the use of weblogs for English language learning. A questionnaire which was made up of both close-ended and open-ended questions was administered at the end of the study. A mixture of quantitative and qualitative methods was used to analyse the students’ responses to the questionnaire. The study found that students were aware of their audience when they blogged and that they geared their writing towards their audience. In addition, they also interacted with others through the use of the comment feature on their weblogs. Furthermore, the majority of the students enjoyed blogging and found weblogs useful for English language learning. This study found that weblogs are promising interactive tools for English language learning.

A Case Study of the Climate Factor on Thermal Comfort for Hostel Occupants in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang, Malaysia

This paper investigates the environmental thermal comfort in hostel accommodations in USM Penang, Malaysia. Hostel occupants’ physical and psychological wellbeing depend very much on the thermal comfort performance of their environment. Thermal comfort is very much affected by climate factors such as air temperature, globe temperature, radiant temperature and air velocity. Nine hostels in USM Penang, Malaysia were selected for a field study to predict the thermal comfort level of the student occupants. Altogether a total of nine hundred and twenty-four respondents from the sample hostels participated in a questionnaire survey on their thermal environment perception and level of indoor comfort. Air temperature, air velocity, relative humidity and radiant temperature were monitored, observed and measured daily for a week from 8am to 12 midnight. ISO software (comfort calculator ISO 7730) was used to calculate climatic data, clothing, activities of respondents and the value of the PMV and PPD in order to obtain the vote for the quality of thermal comfort in the hostel room. The aim of this research was to investigate the thermal comfort level of the hostel occupant from the analysis of logistic regression and regression line. The results showed that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) between all parameters inside and outside the hostels in addition to the thermal comfort level for male and female occupants. This study predicted that climate affects thermal comfort in hostels located in a warm humid climate zone and also determined the actual thermal comfort in the hostel rooms. This study should be useful for optimizing the thermal comfort level in Malaysia.

Pedagogical Practices of English Language Lessons in Malaysian Primary Schools: A Discourse Analysis

Discourse analysis as a sub-discipline of linguistics is useful in understanding the teaching and learning process and practices of a language. In line with that, this article applies discourse analysis framework in discussing the classroom pedagogical discourse practices of English language lessons at primary school level in Malaysia. The discussion is based on three case studies conducted in the state of Melaka. The pedagogical discourse in the classrooms was observed, audio recorded and later transcribed and analysed. The pedagogical discourse analysed focuses on the teachers’ and students’ practices. Among the teachers’ practices identified were questioning, accepting and explaining where as the students’ practices were answering and listening. These pedagogical practices are discussed in relation to their types, place of occurrences in the discourse and their related examples. The discussion hopes to give details on how linguistics, especially discourse analysis, benefits in language pedagogy and at the same time, enlightens the practices of English language lessons in the classrooms.

On The Dynamic Relationship Between Exchange Rates And Industry Stock Prices: Some Empirical Evidence From Malaysia

This study examines the dynamic relationships between exchange rate and stock prices at the industry level in Malaysia during June 1996 - August 1998.&amp;nbsp; This study finds a strong relationship between the two series during the financial crisis (July 1997 - August 1998) and differing effects of exchange-rate changes on the performance of stock prices across different industries.&amp;nbsp; In addition, exchange-rate changes have negative effects on some industries (e.g., construction) but positive effects on other industries (e.g., property).&amp;nbsp; Thus, government needs to concentrate on stabilizing the exchange market first while financial managers need to carefully analyze the effects of changes in exchange rates on specific industries to better manage foreign-exchange exposures.

Integration of environmental knowledge across biology, physics and chemistry subject at secondary school level in Malaysia

Environmental Education in Malaysia is applied across the curriculum at both primary and secondary levels for all subjects. Under the constraint of educational system, schools and teachers, curriculum content has become the only important component that can sustain the implementation of these additional elements. Science content of Biology, Physics and Chemistry are assumed to have more parallel integration with Environmental Education content. This study aimed to determine how much environmental knowledges are integrated across the current science curriculum content in those subjects. The methodology of this study is an analysis of Form Four and Form Five's Biology, Physics and Chemistry syllabus. The results of this study showed that Biology have the more extent to adopt environmental knowledge compared to Physics and Chemistry. These findings also serve as a guide for science teachers to make additional efforts to apply Environmental Education in their classroom.

The Implementation of Wiley-Plus® in Vector Calculus

E-learning is a web-based training which resides on a server or host computer that is connected to the World Wide Web. Elearning has been implemented at the higher education level in Malaysia to help students in certain subjects. The difficulties in the learning of mathematics, as an instance, are well-known and the use of new technologies specifically by using e-learning is an important inducement for both lecturers and students in order to obtain an adequate, or more importantly, an effective transmission of the knowledge. The objective of this research is to identify the significance of implementing e-learning i.e. Wiley-Plus in Vector Calculus at the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. A set of questionnaire has been distributed to 193 respondents for all four departments and the results show that students are satisfied with the use of Wiley-Plus® in learning process.

The Development Of Instructional Module Of Hybrid Approach Using Collaborative And Metacognitive (HybCoMet) Strategy As An Alternative Approach To Help Improving Generic Skills Among Students In Malaysian Polytechnics

This paper presents the development and design of a new alternative approach to teaching, which is referred to as a hybrid teaching approach. This teaching approach is developed to meet the challenges and academic needs of students learning technical subjects at polytechnic level in Malaysia. It is intended to help students improve their learning and deepen their understanding in learning the subjects matters. It is also to help students to emphasize positive attitudes in a wide range of skills that are critically needed in a workplace such as communication, thinking and interpersonal skills (Yusof, 2004). Accordingly, this paper describes a “hybrid” educational system which integrates collaborative and metacognitive strategies, involving the development, design and implementation of an instructional module which is entitled “ A Hybrid Approach Using Collaborative and Metacognitive (HybCoMet) Strategy : An Instructional Module for Polytechnics Lecturers”. The HybCoMet Instructional Module is designed as an alternative to the current teaching approaches which are hereinafter referred as ‘traditional approaches’. The strategy is intended to help students to learn in a meaningful way, by facilitating the assimilation of their knowledge prior to transfer it into real world situation. The purpose of the teaching module of HybCoMet Strategy is to encourage teachers to move away from the current teaching approach by which students are ‘fed’ facts and information (Wee, 2004). Even where there are some activities in a classroom, the teacher retains control over the procedure and learning process. Introducing HybCoMet strategy may allow teachers to experience a new role, as a facilitator who provides support and assistance and interferes only when necessary. The strategy could be beneficial for teachers preparing a lesson and was more effective at pointing teachers toward individual learning objectives. Therefore, it is expected that students could take control of the learning process and become more motivated and responsible for their own learning, and then will be able to prepare them for their future life. It was hoped to inculcate this learning mode into students’ educational environment to prepare them for real-life situations and provide opportunities for the optimal intellectual and academic development as well as their generic skills. The designed instructional module is hoping will contribute as a new pedagogical approach to the representation of hybrid system for technical education needs at the polytechnics level and supply as a comprehensive academic references and guidelines to the academician and will be beneficial to those who are interested.

Development and validation of a test of integrated science process skills

The aim of science education is to help students to understand scientific knowledge and to develop students’ ability of the scientific approach to enquiry. The science process skills, along with the knowledge those skills produce are the instructional objectives of Malaysian science education. This paper describes the development and validation of a Test of Integrated Process skill, a paper-and-pencil objective test that has been developed specific to the science content defined in the Malaysian primary school science curriculum. The test is used to measure acquisition in the processes of science. The test assesses performance on a set of integrated science processes associated with planning investigations. They include formulating hypotheses, operationally defining variable, identifying and controlling variables as well as interpreting data. Science process skills are not subject specific. However, these skills operate in conjunction with specific knowledge. Test items were developed so as to be suitable for use with specific knowledge and contain conceptual materials on science as well as requiring the application of component integrated process skills. The Test of Integrated Science Process (TISP) consisted of 30 multiple choice items. Evidence of content validity, construct validity, and reliability are presented. This test with sound psychometric properties will be useful in evaluating the progress in the learning of integrated science process skills in primary school level in Malaysia.

Listeria monocytogenes in raw salad vegetables sold at retail level in Malaysia

A range of commercially available vegetables ( n = 306) that are consumed in the minimally processed state in Malaysia was examined for the presence of Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes to provide information on the occurrence of such organisms in these vegetables. Analysis was carried out using the most probable number–polymerase chain reaction (MPN–PCR) method. It was found that Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes could be detected in 33.3% and 22.5% of the vegetables respectively. L. monocytogenes was more frequently detected in Vigna unguiculata (Japanese parsley) at 31.3% and Oenanther stolonifera (yardlong bean) at 27.2%.

Security Mechanism in Computer Network Environment: A Study of Adoption Status in Malaysian Company

The principle objective of this study was to examine the computer network security level of Malaysian companies. Original research using a self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 300 Malaysian companies. Data were analyzed by employing descriptive statistics. In general the adoption level of network security tools in Malaysia is still considered low with an average mean of 3.22. Based on the tools adopted, most of the companies are using common network security tool such as antivirus as their main protection for their computers. Tools that have lower adoption include vulnerability scanner and packet crafting tool. This research enables company to have a better understanding of the network security tools usage in Malaysian companies. This research has addressed previous lack of study in the examination of company’s security level among Malaysian companies. Information Technology (IT) security personnel in Malaysia will also be able to use this result as a guide as to what type of network security tools is generally being employed among their peers. 3.22 of average mean considered low for the security adoption level in Malaysia, it is necessary to the companies to put more focus on this security mechanism field.

Human Resource Development Strategies: The Malaysian Scenario

The socio-economic development of Malaysia is greatly influenced by human resources activities in both the private and public sectors. But the private sector, particularly the industrial sector is the key player for the country’s economic growth. In acknowledging human resources importance in this sector, the country’s developmental plans developed thrusts that support the development of human resources to become skilled, creative and innovative. This article examines the concepts and nature of human resource development (HRD) at the national level in Malaysia. In examining HRD from the national perspective, a review of documentary evidence from relevant Governmental reports and documents was utilised. The plans, policies, strategies, roles and responsibilities in HRD at the national level were discussed.

FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN MALAYSIA: THE ROLE OF DOMESTIC FINANCIAL SECTOR

This study aims to incorporate the role of domestic financial system in transferring the technological diffusion embodied in FDI inflows on the Malaysian economy from 1970–2001. Applying bound test, or unrestricted error correction model (UECM) proposed by Pesaran et al. (2001), the presence of FDI inflows creates a positive technological diffusion in both short- and long-run if the evolution of domestic financial system has achieved a certain minimum level. This implies that the improvement of technology level in Malaysia in the long run is due to the spillover efficiency effects from FDI. Hence, the study suggests that FDI tends to be more likely to enhance economic growth more efficiently when a recipient country has a well-developed and well-functioning financial sector.

The Tobacco Industry and Pesticide Regulations: Case Studies from Tobacco Industry Archives

Tobacco is a heavily pesticide-dependent crop. Because pesticides involve human safety and health issues, they are regulated nationally and internationally; however, little is known about how tobacco companies respond to regulatory pressures regarding pesticides. In this study we analyzed internal tobacco industry documents to describe industry activities aimed at influencing pesticide regulations. We used a case study approach based on examination of approximately 2,000 internal company documents and 3,885 pages of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency documents obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests. The cases involved methoprene, the ethylene bisdithiocarbamates, and phosphine. We show how the tobacco industry successfully altered the outcome in two cases by hiring ex-agency scientists to write reports favorable to industry positions regarding pesticide regulations for national (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) and international (World Health Organization) regulatory bodies. We also show how the industry worked to forestall tobacco pesticide regulation by attempting to self-regulate in Europe, and how Philip Morris encouraged a pesticide manufacturer to apply for higher tolerance levels in Malaysia and Europe while keeping tobacco industry interest a secret from government regulators. This study suggests that the tobacco industry is able to exert considerable influence over the pesticide regulatory process and that increased scrutiny of this process and protection of the public interest in pesticide regulation may be warranted.

Language And Content Complexities Encountered By Students In Taxation Courses

Courses in taxation generally cover elements pertaining to the quantitative, legal and expository aspects, all of which rely on the understanding and interpretation of complex tax statutes, which in turn involve both language and content complexities. This study is on students pursuing taxation courses at the tertiary level in Malaysia, where the medium of instruction is in English, which is neither the students’ mother tongue nor their first language. As tax statutes and reference materials on taxation in Malaysia are mainly in English, and taxation courses are taught and assessed in English, a reasonably high level of English language skills is essential to cope with the legal and expository aspects. The study reveals that a majority of the students agreed that they encountered difficulties in terms of language complexity rather than content complexity, particularly in relation to understanding textbooks and examination questions. In terms of content complexity, less than one third agreed that they encountered difficulties in understanding textbooks and lectures/tutorials.

マレーシアの環境教育におけるイスラーム的価値の導入

The purpose of this article is to make clear the sociocultural effect that the Malaysian policies, the goals of which are to create the first developed Islamic country in the world, have on environmental education at the primary level in Malaysia through the analysis of curricula at the primary level of education.After the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the effect of the Islamic restoration movement spread all over the world. Malaysia also has been influenced by the effect, and this has come to the forefront of Malaysian society. In the education area, the “Islamization” effect is becoming more obvious, and the “generalization” of Islamic values has been included through the introduction of the ‘National Philosophy of Education’ established in 1988 which prescribes the foundation of the Malaysian educational concept.During the same period, the integrated primary level subject, ‘Environment and Man (Alam dan Manusia)’ was divided and restructured into two new subjects: ‘Science (Sains)’ and ‘Local Studies (Kajian Tempatan)’ by the Malaysian Ministry of Education.The goals of this subject matter are to foster basic study skills. This restructuring has also placed emphasis on Islamic values in the new subjects, ‘Science’ and ‘Local Studies’. The comparison of the curricula of ‘Environment and Man’ to ‘Science’, and ‘Local Studies’, demonstrates that the restructuring has placed great emphasis on Islamic values in the context of environmental education.Firstly, this study compared these subjects' curricula on aims, objects, learning methods, and elements of environmental education two points were found as follows:1) These subjects use the “inquiry-discovery (inkuiri penemuan)” method. This method had not fulfilled its function in the ‘Environment and Man’ course; the new subject's curricula of ‘Science’ and ‘Local Studies’ have further emphasized the method.2) The old subject, ‘Environment and Man’, had no emphasis on Islamic values within the context of environmental education; but the new subjects, ‘Science’ and ‘Local Studies’, both place emphasis on these views of nature and on Islamic values.Point (2) is particularly unique with respect to environmental education in Malaysia. For example, some words of Arabic origin, which are not usually used such as ‘bersyukur/mensyukuri (thank to God)’ or ‘menghormati (respect for God)’ are used in curricula of ‘Science’ and ‘Local Studies’. There are also many examples of relating Islamic values to the environment, such as praising the moon as a symbol of Islam, or the superiority of human beings to all other animals and the correct management of the earth under the permission of the God.The Islamic point of view introduces the environmental consciousness that says, ‘Under the permission of God, human beings shall manage all natural resources given to them by God, never wasting them, always using them correctly, and accepting them with gratitude’.Though this concept seems to be similar to the concept of “sustainable development” or “ecology”, the basic concepts are, in fact, different. The former means that human beings shall manage all objects of nature correctly under the permission of God. The latter means human beings decide and control all objects of nature by themselves.The new curricula of environmental education at primary level of education in Malaysia have introduced Islamic values related to the environment to give pupils an increase awareness and consciousness toward environment. This is one of the definite practices of the “generalization” of Islamic values.

Tradition, tourism, and the cultural show: Malaysia's diversity on display

This article explores the cultural show as a site of creative cultural production. It focuses on cultural shows performed at national, state, and grassroots levels in Malaysia (with an emphasis on the city of Malacca). No longer performed strictly for tourists, the cultural show has become both a primary icon of national multiculturalism and a forum in which meaning is contested and identity negotiated. On the one hand, the government uses cultural shows to display (and contain) ethnic diversity; on the other hand, minorities use them as a subversive vehicle to express and maintain difference.

Expenditure Forecasting in Selected Operating Departments in Three States of Malaysia

Expenditure forecasting attempts to look forward to help determine future government spending needs. Although common in Western countries, multi‐year expenditure forecasting is not routinely done at the national level in Malaysia. But some expenditure forecasting takes place. This article discusses the techniques used for expenditure forecasting in three states of Malaysia: Johore, Penang, and Perak.

Patterns of Change in a Rural Malay Community: Sungai Raya Revisited

Research Article| August 01 1982 Patterns of Change in a Rural Malay Community: Sungai Raya Revisited Marvin L. Rogers Marvin L. Rogers Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Far Eastern Survey (1953) 22 (8): 757–778. https://doi.org/10.2307/2643646 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Marvin L. Rogers; Patterns of Change in a Rural Malay Community: Sungai Raya Revisited. Far Eastern Survey 1 July 1953; 22 (8): 757–778. doi: https://doi.org/10.2307/2643646 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAsian Survey Search This content is only available via PDF. Copyright 1982 The Regents of the University of California Article PDF first page preview Close Modal You do not currently have access to this content.