Nor Hasniza Ibrahim

PROBLEMS FACED BY STUDENTS IN LEARNING MICROECONOMICS COURSE

Teaching and Learning (T&L) methods in the present days need to be creative and diverse in order to produce quality graduates. Memorization method will produce students who are unable think critically since they are regimented to memorize facts only. It may cause students easier to forget the contents when there is a disturbance during the memorization process. One of the courses that need attention to encounter this problem is Microeconomics. Based on a preliminary study, it was found that students had problem to master Microeconomics. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify problems faced by students who enrolled in a Microeconomics course at a local Malaysian university. Results of the study found that the course was challenging for students to master since they had low visualization skill. Therefore, it was difficult for the students to visualize complex graphs and interpret data in the graphs.

Web Pro-Mc Physics as a support tool for improving physics problem solving skills

Problem solving is one of the focus of the Malaysia education plan (PPPM 2013-2025) because the achievement of students in TIMMS and PISA was found to be below average. This paper aims to discuss the development of a web-based module named Pro-Mc Physics to help students solve problems using their metacognitive skills. The problem solving strategies which will be used to develop the module is based on a study by Marlina et al (2014). ADDIE instructional design will also be used in developing the module. In addition, several learning theories and strategies will be considered in the construction of this web-based module. The physics problems used for the module will be adapted from context rich problems. In conclusion, Web Pro-Mc Physics is developed to be a support tool for improving physics problem solving skills among students.

The knowledge and practice of “New Academia” among lecturers: A case study in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

The purpose of this study is to examine the knowledge and practices of the “New Academia” among lecturers in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). This study also examined the comparisons of knowledge and practice of “New Academia” based on four main streams in UTM which are Pure Science, Computer Science, Engineering Science, and Social Science. A total of 525 lecturers have been selected as respondents which were selected by random batch sampling. The data were collected by questionnaire using multiple-choice questions to test the knowledge and Thurstone scale to examine the practice of lecturers on the “New Academia”. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistic. The findings showed that the lecturers in UTM have medium level of knowledge and practice of the “New Academia”. Comparison between the streams found no significant difference either for the knowledge or the practice of lecturers. This study also recommends the support for UTM in implementing the “New Academia”. Hopefully, this study can be used to improve the teaching and learning in the university as well as providing the idea of effective teaching for the lecturers.