Fariza Mohd Nor

Patterns of discourse in online interaction: seeking evidence of the collaborative learning process

Asynchronous communication by means of discussion forums plays an essential role in supporting collaborative learning. Online forums allow learners to ask questions, express their thoughts, share resources, and justify their opinions beyond the four walls of the classroom. Proponents of collaborative learning claim that this type of learning can lead to enhanced educational outcomes for students. This article examines data from an online discussion forum involving a group of students from Malaysia and the Middle East, who are working toward masters degrees at a tertiary institution in Malaysia. The purpose of the study is to understand how the students interact and collaborate in the process of learning topics that had previously been discussed in a face-to-face mode. The findings identify collaborative learning behavior among the students, including contributing, exploring, providing information, and giving feedback. Additional findings indicate that even with minimal intervention from the lecturer, the students participated actively in the online forum.

Using iREAD in understanding online reading strategies applied by science and technology students

This article describes how with the growth of online learning, reading hypertext materials requires both online reading and navigational strategies. This article was conducted as part of a pilot study on qualitative data collection into reading of Science and Technology hypertexts that focuses on reading and navigational strategies of five university students enrolled in undergraduate Engineering programs. It presents the application of iREAD; Interactive Reading for Academic Disciplines that integrates various e-literacy tools to facilitate reading of academic hypertexts. Students participation was within iREAD through the use of annotation tool and discussion forum. The two-phased data collection was conducted qualitatively through semi-structured interviews, screen records, and retrospective interviews. The results show that the participants mainly used a global reading strategy, serial, and mixed overview navigational strategies in the online reading environment. In addition, the article concluded that iREAD assists students to understand and organize hypertexts materials better with the use of e-tools.

Empowering the community through ICT innovation

One of the Malaysian governments missions in achieving its 2020 vision includes developing and providing access to ICTs in the country. In fact, the government has been aggressive in its initiative in providing the necessary environment to empower the people in ICT through various innovations in computer and technology. This paper discusses the impact on a particular community in East Malaysia, with the introduction of a computer innovation named JENii. This product is designed by the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems (MIMOS). The findings showed that the device is well accepted by the community and several benefits were derived. The paper ends by proposing a framework which can be used as a guide in helping the Malaysian governments initiative in bridging the digital divide and in encouraging its citizens to move towards an e-inclusion society. The framework is named the AI4 framework, which includes access, adaptability, acceptance, attitude, innovation and inclusion.