Aidah Abdul Karim

Enablers to Information Search and Use in Higher Learning

Information search and use hold a key to knowledge building process in higher learning. A qualitative study was conducted to explore the role of various personal skills that empower students’ information search and use in higher learning. The study involved 30 lecturers, librarians and students who participated in student information skills programs run by a public university library in Malaysia. The study used semi-structured interview to collect data which was analyzed using qualitative data analysis approach. The study found personal skills, i.e., computer, higher order thinking, language, and communication skills facilitate students’ information search and use in higher learning. The study suggested that universities must help students to develop necessary skills that enable them to strategically search and use information in knowledge building process in higher learning.

Aplikasi Mudah Alih Panduan Solat dan Penggunaannya = The User Guide of the Mobile Muslim Prayer Application

Android applications are Linux-based operations which are used to program the touch screen and tablet computers. Android system is open source under the operation of Google. Android program can be obtained by downloading from Android Market. One of the programs available is Muslim Prayer Guide applications that can be downloaded for free via mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Affective factors, such as embarrassment towards instructors and peers can disrupt learning. One of the technologies that have the potential to address this issue is mobile learning. As such, we develop a mobile application in attempting to solve the issue of learner embarrassment in learning about praying. Muslim Prayer Guide application is built is intended as a guide to the Muslim citizens of all ages to perform prayers in the prayer in Islam. The content of this application is the rule of prayer, how to perform ablution, the things that invalidate the prayer, the reading of the five daily prayers. This study was conducted to identify the factors that contributed to the Android Muslim Prayer Guide. The study was carried out quantitatively by submitting a questionnaire to the 62 respondents who use this application. The analysis was done by using the Rasch measurement model and to measure the effectiveness factors of these applications. The results showed that the use of this application Muslim prayers assist learners in terms of the level of knowledge and methods of teaching and learning guides prayers. This application also helps adult learners who want to learn prayers. The Muslim Prayer Guide also assist them in prepare before meeting with a teacher to learn the prayers and to equip themselves as a Muslim to perform the second pillar of Islam.