Shamsiah Mohamed

Preparing Malaysian vocational and technology teachers to integrate computer technology in teaching vocational and technology subjects

A study was conducted in three selected states in Malaysia to determine the preparedness of vocational and technology teachers to integrate computer technology in their classrooms. The study showed that teachers did not have a high level of general knowledge about computers (mean=6.3, sd.=2.97). They were not very knowledgeable in some computer software. They thought that they were not skillful in using computer software such as electronic spreadsheet (57.1%), word-processing and desktop publishing (50.8%), and database management (67.9%). Almost two-thirds of the respondents cannot do programming. Realizing that they did not have the necessary knowledge and skills, the majority of the teachers would like to attend training in using computers for instruction.

How confident are vocational trainees in making career decisions

Career decision-making self-efficacy (CDMSE) denotes individuals’ degree of confidence that they can successfully engage in tasks associated with making a career choice and with commitment to a career (Taylor and Betz, 1983). Studies have shown that career self-efficacy plays significant roles in the development of vocational interests, choice, and behavior (Lent et al., 2002). Helping students identify their beliefs about their abilities to both undertake exploration tasks and make decisions appears to be an important requisite to help them identify patterns of interests (Gushue et al., 2007). Thus, a study was conducted using 850 vocational trainees in Malaysian Vocational Institutions. The career decision-making self-efficacy by Taylor and Betz (1983) was used to measure CDMSE of trainees. A 5-point Likert scale ranging from Not Confidence at all (1) to Completely Confidence (5) was used to assess trainees’ CDMSE. The objective of this study was to determine the career decision-making self-efficacy (CDMSE) among vocational trainees in Malaysia and to compare the trainees’ decision-making abilities between genders. Overall, the career decision-making ability of vocational trainees was high (M=3.96, s.d=.34). However, some aspects of CDMSE need improvement (particularly on problem solving, planning for future, and gathering occupational information). There is a no significant difference in CDMSE between trainees of two different institutions. However, there is a significant difference in CDMSE between genders. Male trainees felt they were more confident in making career decision than female trainees.

Teacher Efficacy Beliefs Among Novice Malaysian Teachers

This article is a presentation of the findings of research conducted on the teacher’s sense of efficacy among novice teachers in Malaysia. A total of 727 novice teachers participated in the study. Novice teachers are teachers who have been in service for three years or less. Teachers’ sense of efficacy was assessed using the Ohio State Teacher Efficacy Scale (OSTES), developed by Tschannen- Moran and Woolfolk Hoy. The level of overall teaching efficacy among novice teachers was moderate (Mean: 3.87; S.D: 0.62). The findings indicated that they were moderately efficacious in terms of student engagement, instructional strategies, and classroom management. The implication of the study to teacher-education programs in Malaysia is discussed.

Job satisfaction among Malaysian school counselors

The purpose of this study was to identify the level of job satisfaction among school counsellors in Malaysia and factors related to it. The findings uncover moderate level of job satisfaction of school counsellors with mean: 3.52 and S.D : 0.59. Job satisfaction among school counsellors was categorized as satisfaction with rewards, satisfaction with the job itself, satisfaction with leadership of the superior, and satisfaction with co-workers. School counsellors’ job satisfaction has been associated with various aspects such as ethnicity and student numbers in the school.

Decision to Enroll in Post-Graduate Education: What are the Predictors?

The objective of the study was to predict students’ decision to enroll for a doctoral program at the Faculty of Educational Studies. A discriminant analysis was conducted to investigate the predictors that influence a student’s decision to enroll for a doctoral program. The predictors investigated were job factors, personal factors, program factors, social factors, satisfaction, and academic performance. The overall Wilk’s Lambda was significant, Λ = 0.87, Chi-Square (6, n = 117) = 15.99, p = 0.014. This indicated that the predictors were significantly different among groups of student who plan to enroll for a doctoral program (Group 1) and those who do not (Group 2). Of the total 117 students, 90 (76%) were classified correctly.

Educational and Occupational Plans of Rural Youths

The purpose of this paper is to describe the educational and occupational plans of rural youths in rural schools and related students’ educational and occupational choice to the needs of the country. The findings showed that almost all students participated in the aspired for education beyond the secondary schools. The two most popular program students expect to enroll at the tertiary level were accountancy and engineering. All of the respondents have tentatively made their career choices. It also shows that respondents have some knowledge as to subjects important for their educational and career choices.