Malaysian School Research Articles

Exploring Bilingual Dynamics

This paper delves into the perspectives of students regarding the integration of bilingualism in Islamic Studies (IS) classrooms across English and Arabic medium international schools in Malaysia. Through the analysis of six focus group interviews, themes emerged elucidating the importance and benefits of utilizing both English and Arabic languages in IS education. Participants emphasized the significance of bilingualism for enhanced comprehension, communication, and engagement in IS learning. The findings underscore the necessity of incorporating both languages to cater to the diverse linguistic backgrounds of students and to facilitate a deeper understanding of Islamic teachings.

The Socio-Educational Model: An Evidence-Based Re-evaluation

Abstract The socio-educational model suggests that social milieu influences individual characteristics, which in turn affect engagement in learning contexts, ultimately impacting linguistic and non-linguistic outcomes. Operationalized representations of the model tend to focus on relations among integrativeness, attitudes to the learning situation, motivation, language anxiety, and language achievement. While objections to the model exist, recent work has challenged their persuasiveness, and as such, it seems appropriate to re-evaluate the model using new data to elucidate its continuing utility in understanding second language outcomes. The objective of this study was therefore to measure the levels of the aforementioned constructs in an international sample and to determine the degree to which they covaried as predicted by the model. A structural equation modelling study of 278 Malaysian high school students studying English compulsorily in national secondary schools in Malaysia found substantial levels of model constructs and statistically significant relationships between them, implying the model’s potential ongoing utility. Implications for second language learning theorization, educational policy, curriculum design, teaching strategies, global language learning contexts, and further research are explored.

Relationship of incidence of radix entomolaris and C-shaped canal in mandibular molars using CBCT: A multi-centre study.

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of incidence between radix entomolaris (RE) in permanent mandibular first molars (FM) with C-shaped canal (CSC) in permanent mandibular second molars (SM). A total of 1015 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of permanent mandibular molars from Malaysian patients were collected retrospectively and analysed by researchers from seven dental schools in Malaysia trained in CBCT technology. The presence and absence of RE and CSC were scored as 'yes' or 'no'. The prevalence of FM with RE was 21.2% and SM with CSC was 37.9%. The co-occurrence of RE and CSC in the same quadrant was 6.5% (OR = 1.497, p = 0.014). Female, Chinese and samples from Eastern Peninsular Malaysia were associated with CSC in SM (p < 0.05). The increased appearance of CSC in SM when RE is present in FM makes it imperative for clinicians to be vigilant during examination and diagnosis to prevent potential endodontic mishaps.

The relations between technological knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, and inventive skills among Malay language teachers

Through the use of technology in the classroom, teachers can improve their ability to deliver effective and relevant content. Teachers should be more prepared to apply this technology to ensure that students will have more fun and have a high interest in continuing to learn in the era of globalization which is based on the use of these information communication technology elements in the classroom during the teaching and facilitation process. Thus, this study was to identify the relationship between technological knowledge, technological content knowledge, technological pedagogical knowledge, technological pedagogical content knowledge, and inventive skills for teachers. The questionnaire was distributed to 400 teachers who teach Malay language subjects at Secondary schools in Malaysia. To test the hypothesis, the structural equation using a PLS-SEM framework was used. The results showed that technological knowledge, technological content knowledge, technological pedagogical knowledge, and technological pedagogical content knowledge have a positive relationship with inventive skills for teachers.

Push, Pull and Mooring Factors on Offline-Online Learning Switching Behavior

During the pandemic, many sectors, including education, were affected. The shift from traditional to online learning is an opening for students and educators to explore online learning. Students may connect from anywhere at any time through this learning mode. This sudden shift has impacted the learning behavior of students to a large extent. People can access information anytime and anywhere that is typically available only through a traditional classroom. This study adopts the Push-Pull-Mooring (PPM) theory as the theoretical framework to understand how push, pull, and mooring factors affect students' shift from offline to online learning. A survey was used as the main instrument in this study. A quantitative approach was utilized to achieve the stated research objectives. The questionnaires were distributed among undergraduate students in public and private schools in Malaysia through convenience sampling techniques. The minimal 77 sample size has been determined by utilizing G*Power software. 117 responses were collected from the questionnaires that met the minimum required sample size for this study. The findings emphasize that push and pull factors are essential to student learning. However, the mooring factor does not affect the student's switching behavior. The study sheds light on capturing more essential measures in the theoretical development of switching behavior.

Shaping teachers’ organizational citizenship behavior through self-efficacy and trust in colleagues: moderating role of collective efficacy

Background/purposeThe aims of this study are: (1) to examine the mediating effect of teacher self-efficacy on the relationship between trust in colleagues and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB); and (2) to evaluate the moderating effect of collective efficacy on the relationships between teachers’ self-efficacy and OCB, as well as between trust in colleagues and OCB.Design/methodology/approachThe cross-sectional data were based on 408 sets of usable questionnaires collected from teachers who worked in government schools in Malaysia. The partial least square structural equation modeling technique was used to test the model and hypotheses.FindingsThe results indicate that trust in colleagues is positively related to organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and teacher self-efficacy. Additionally, teacher self-efficacy and OCB are also positively related. Furthermore, the relationship between trust in colleagues and OCB is partially mediated by teacher self-efficacy. Moreover, collective efficacy significantly moderates the path between teacher self-efficacy and OCB but not between trust in colleagues and OCB.Originality/valueDespite earlier studies examining the relationship between trust, teacher self-efficacy, and OCB, little is known about the mediating mechanism of teacher self-efficacy and the moderating effect of collective efficacy. Thus, this present study makes significant contributions in both theoretical and practical aspects.

Teaching Methods of Arabic Language Grammar Lessons Among Arabic Teachers at Religious Secondary Schools in Malaysia

Teaching Methods of Arabic Language Grammar Lessons Among Arabic Teachers at Religious Secondary Schools in Malaysia

Nurturing teachers’ creativity: Exploring leadership roles and constraints

Creativity research suggests the profound effect of leadership on the social environment that influences creativity within organisations. Despite numerous studies that claimed a role for leadership in nurturing creativity, the effects of instructional and innovative leadership on creativity development leading to organisational growth have remained largely overlooked. Therefore, this study examines the influence of leadership on teachers’ creativity. Data were collected from 369 teachers serving in secondary schools in Malaysia. In addition, three principals were also interviewed to understand how school leadership strategies can enhance teachers’ creativity within the school context. In addition, their challenges in supporting teachers’ creativity and innovation were explored. Results indicate that they mostly preferred instructional leadership rather than innovative leadership which aimed to influence their creativity. Findings from the structural model have confirmed that instructional leadership was the most preferred leadership practice compared to innovative leadership when enhancing teacher creativity. In exploring support for creativity, principals mainly used incentive and informal support and encouragement with teachers. In understanding principals’ constraints, senior teachers who are reluctant to change and principals’ heavy workloads and shortage of time are mentioned as challenges that principals need to face while supporting teachers’ creativity in schools. This study recommends that school leaders must possess sufficient knowledge and skill to support teachers’ creativity which requires that school leaders are open to and supportive of creative activities. The results also indicate that school leaders need to understand teachers’ requirements as providers of creative teaching and learning.

ANALYSING THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ACHIEVEMENT OF THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE SYLLABUS IN TAMIL PRIMARY SCHOOLS: A CASE STUDY OF UPSR RESULTS AND PROFICIENCY GAPS

The difficulties of using the National Language (NL) curriculum in Tamil primary schools in Malaysia are discussed in this paper. Although Tamil primary school pupils struggle with NL competence, hurting their secondary school preparation, the Malaysian educational system requires mastery of Bahasa Melayu, the National Language. The research uses 2019 UPSR data to examine the NL success levels in comprehension and writing among Tamil school children. Focusing on a sample of Tamil pupils, the approach used a quantitative study of test results from national-type schools. Data were gathered using UPSR Comprehension and Writing papers. The results showed a notable difference in NL proficiency as only 40.11% of pupils attained an acceptable level in both examinations. Important debates focused on the absence of NL exposure in everyday life and the effect of mother tongue interference as main contributing elements. According to the report, standardising the NL curriculum and enhancing it across the institutions would assist to reduce these disparities. This study highlights the necessity of strategic changes to promote Tamil primary school pupils' language competency, therefore guaranteeing better preparation for secondary education.

Digital Learning Literacy and Business Education from an Islamic Perspective at High School in Malaysia

Partners in this program are teachers from the National High School or Bukit Katil State School (SMK) in Ayer Keroh, Melaka, Malaysia. The problem faced by partners is that there is still not optimal knowledge about the use of digital learning and business education from an Islamic studies perspective. Apart from that, several teachers have never attended seminars on developing business education which is very important for increasing their insight as teachers at the vocational school level. The teachers have never held discussion activities related to this topic face to face with lecturers or delegates from international universities. In relation to these problems, the problems are efforts to increase literacy, knowledge and insight of teachers regarding the use of digital learning and development of buying and selling businesses from an Islamic perspective through seminars and joint discussions, and efforts to increase Islamic economic and financial literacy, communication skills within the scope of business education development, for teachers together with lecturers from various universities in Indonesia. This activity purposes to identify partners' knowledge and insight in utilizing digital learning and business education effectively from an Islamic perspective. This activity is very useful for expanding and strengthening relationships between teachers and lecturers in related fields. This activity was carried out using the Forum Group Discussion method. After carrying out this international community service activity, the knowledge, literacy and understanding abilities of the teachers increased. This is demonstrated by their ability to answer various questions in the discussions held. The teachers are also quite enthusiastic in establishing good relationships with lecturers from various disciplines

A Systematic Literature Review on Teaching Method Using Graphic Design for Primary Schools in Malaysia

A Systematic Literature Review on Teaching Method Using Graphic Design for Primary Schools in Malaysia

Investigating the Impact of Teacher Anxiety and Stereotypical Thinking on Spatial and Mathematical Education in Malaysia

This research is a case study of teacher anxiety and stereotypical beliefs' impact on spatial-mathematics education in Malaysia. It also examines how these variables are related to the quality of instruction, teacher retention, and student outcomes. In this study, 246 math and spatial education teachers and an average of seven students from 650 representative primary and secondary schools in Malaysia were included in the research. This uses both qualitative and quantitative methods. Results: It was concluded that when it comes to maths education, low teacher anxiety is considered very important on the level of effective teaching, and student-engaged Ness had a significant role in isolating gender differences. These results indicate a need to develop interventions to reduce teacher anxiety and gender stereotyping, elements that may contribute toward an inclusive classroom that supports learning. These actions are vital to the progress of student performance and the hunting of educational equity in Malaysia.

Challenges of Life after School in Malaysia

Challenges of Life after School in Malaysia

A Study Protocol on Disaster Medicine Preparedness among Medical Students in a Public Military Medical School in Malaysia: Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Readiness to Practice

Disaster preparedness is defined as the measures taken to prepare for or decrease the impact of disaster. Medical students’ perception on disaster preparedness provides further insights into their learning needs, strengthens the disaster medicine curriculum, and improves their personal professional development. There is scarce information regarding this topic and disaster medicine education is scattered in the current medical curriculum. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge (K), attitude (A) and readiness to practice (rP) towards disaster preparedness among medical students in a military university. A cross-sectional study will be conducted among all the medical students in Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia using a self-administered validated questionnaire via a Google Forms. The calculated minimum sample size is 176 using the twoproportion formula via Power and Sample Size (PS) software. The questionnaire consists of (a) demographic data; (b) knowledge of disaster; (c) attitude; (d) readiness to practice with responses categorised as high, moderate and low. Independent t-test and chi-square test are used to evaluate the bivariate association between demographic data with K, A and rP. Multiple linear regression is used to evaluate association of rP based on predictor variables (K, A and sociodemographic factors). A preliminary result of the study will be presented in conferences and scientific meetings. This research contributes valuable insights to the field of disaster medicine education, guiding curriculum development, and informing policy decisions within institutions.

Back to school after COVID-19 pandemic: Resumption or transitional disruption?

Since its onset in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has globally disrupted school operations, leading to a shift to some form of homeschooling arrangements. After two years, in March 2022, the government of Malaysia officially reopened all schools, ending its homeschooling program. In this paper, we exploit a purposefully designed, nationwide, cross-sectional survey of government-owned primary and secondary schools in Malaysia to document student learning experiences during the early months of the home-to-school transition. Our empirical analysis and choice of indicators is guided by a conceptual framework that distinguishes between two competing hypotheses related to school reopening experiences: resumption vs transitional disruption. We find that 59 % of secondary and 72 % of primary level students report that they are happy to be back in school. School reopening also coincides with a significant reduction in educational-related worries (e.g., concerns over dropout, learning loss, and loss of interest in study) and indices of negative emotions (i.e., feelings of being tense, depressed, and restless), particularly among secondary school students. More importantly, those satisfied upon return to school report a statistically significant reduction in worries related to learning loss. These correlations support the resumption hypothesis. Yet our data highlights an important puzzle: Even after school reopening, one-third of students report that they do not learn more, at least one-fifth report a struggle to catch up on studies, and up to 40 % are concerned about learning loss. The majority of learners additionally report not receiving more support from teachers and parents. Recipients of public aid as well as private (i.e., parental) support report being happy about school reopening and are less likely to report “not learning more.” We conclude by discussing these somewhat paradoxical findings and the need for remedial measures beyond financial support for struggling learners to minimize post school reopening, transitional disruptions.

Strategic Approaches to Enhancing School Performance through Instructional Leadership in Malaysia

The Nominal Group Technique (NGT) was employed in this study to suggest ways to enhance the performance of Malaysian schools. By relying on the opinions and consensus of experts, the study has tackled the problem of school performance using this technique. The nine suggestions for enhancing the school's performance were outlined in the summary of the experts' recommendations. Given that the NGT approach involves experts debating and voting on components derived from literature reviews, the validation of elements can be achieved straightforwardly.

The Coach's Leadership Style Towards Athlete Satisfaction in The Malaysian School Sports Council (MSSM), Kuala Lumpur

The Coach's Leadership Style Towards Athlete Satisfaction in The Malaysian School Sports Council (MSSM), Kuala Lumpur

Factors affecting English language high school teachers switching intention to ChatGPT: a Push-Pull-Mooring theory perspective

ABSTRACT This qualitative research investigated the factors that influence the switching intention of teachers from traditional classroom teaching to the use of ChatGPT in English language teaching based on the Mooring Theory framework. The data collection involved in-depth interviews with 26 teachers from Malaysian high schools. The findings revealed that the push factors were related to outdated pedagogical methods and limited creativity and student engagement opportunities. On the other hand, the pull factors were related to ChatGPT as a software-based artificial intelligence for facilitating English language acquisition, influencing content development among teachers and implementing personalised learning approaches. The study identified various mooring factors impacting teaching practices in Malaysian schools. Firstly, the limited functionality of ChatGPT, since it is an automated language model. Secondly, teachers grapple with striking a balance between incorporating technology and maintaining the validity and authenticity of their teaching practices. Finally, students’ lack of critical thinking skills challenges teachers in promoting independent thought and analytical reasoning within the classroom. The study emphasises the significance of enhancing critical thinking skills and incorporating personalised learning strategies to establish a conducive learning environment in Malaysian schools.

Peran Komunikasi Orang Tua Dengan Pihak Sekolah Tadika Didik Bestari Gemilang Dalam Layanan Anak Autisme di Lembaga Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini

This research aims to analyze the role of inclusive education in optimizing the development of children with autism, with a focus on the Tadika Didik Bestari Gemilang School in Malaysia. The research method used is a case study with a qualitative approach. Data collection techniques used in this research include interviews, in-depth observations with parents and teachers and documentation studies at the research location. The data analysis technique used is qualitative data analysis technique, which includes data collection, data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results showed that BL, a child with autism, experienced significant positive changes in social interaction, language, behavior and fine motor skills after joining an inclusive school. Effective collaboration between parents, teachers, and special educators in schools plays a crucial role in supporting BL development. The conclusion of this research is that inclusive education not only facilitates the active participation of children with autism in the learning process, but also supports them in achieving their full potential in a supportive educational environment.

Post-Pandemic Evaluation: Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Medical Students’ Mental Health, Self-Esteem, Social Interactions, and Academic Progression in Malaysia

Covid-19 pandemic has brought drastic and unprecedented challenges to the medical education and medical students, affecting them physically, mentally and emotionally. While progressing through the post-pandemic recovery phase, it is crucial to comprehensively evaluate the pandemic’s consequences and tackle the underlying problems. To investigate the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on medical students’ mental health, social well-being, and academic progression. A cross-sectional study was carried out with voluntary sampling of students from both government and private medical schools in Malaysia. A self-administered online survey form containing three validated psychological tools was distributed (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale HADS, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, NIH Toolbox Social Relationship Scales). There were also questions regarding the challenges faced by medical students and their academic performance during Covid-19 pandemic. Scores of each questionnaire were tabulated, analyzed and interpreted according to their specific cut-points. Two hundred and thirteen responses were received. 89.2% (n = 190) were domestic students while 10.8% (n = 23) were international students. Out of 32 medical universities in Malaysia, the participants were from 19 of them (9 public and 10 private universities). About half of the participants had contracted Covid-19 infection during the study period (n = 124, 58.2%). Majority had chosen “Lack of on-campus learning and training session causing incompetency” as the most relevant impact of Covid-19 on their academic progression (n = 85, 39.9%). Above 90% of participants passed their Final Academic Assessment in 2020 (91.5%) and 2021 (93.9%). About half of them (n = 86, 40.4%) were having symptoms considerable of anxiety while only 19.2% (n = 41) were having symptoms considerable of depression. Majority had normal self-esteem (n = 177, 83.1%). For social relationship, around two-third of them had great social support and companionship. However, more than half had social distress. The median for the period of time having absolute online classes, absolute physical classes and hybrid classes were 18, 4, and 9 months, respectively. Having absolute online classes of &gt;18 months was associated significantly with higher perceived hostility (16.49vs. 14.47, p = .012). In addition, being infected with Covid-19 was associated significantly with higher self-esteem (26.88vs. 25.85, p = .009). Large proportion of students were affected by Covid-19 pandemic. Absolute online classes has huge impact on emotions of medical students especially from the aspect of perceived hostility. Hence, implementation of online medical education during Covid-19 era requires modifications and improvements.