Ahmad Esa | Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (original) (raw)

Papers by Ahmad Esa

The purpose of this study was to evaluate extra classes'effectiveness at Smart Secondary School, ... more The purpose of this study was to evaluate extra classes'effectiveness at Smart Secondary School, Johor. This entire research was conducted for about a year using a method called triangualitation which is a combination between quantitative and qualitative method. Six main methods namely survey, questionnaire, interview, observation, documentation checklist and analysis were used to collect data. In questionnaire method, study subject involved 242 respondents constituting teachers who teach in nine of Smart Secondary Schools in Johore while qualitative method involved 10 respondents by interview, 12 aspects observation, 15 aspects checklist and 17 collected documentation which comprises of official document, test material and examination. Respondent sample questionnaire was randomly chosen while interview criteria in interview items had been set by the researcher. Two sets of instruments were carried out in two different schools. Reliability index through pilot study of both instrument sets are from 0.7256 to 0.9165.Quantitative data to be analysed using Computer Software SPSS Version 10.5 For Windows to get statistic mean and standard deviation. Qualitative data were analyzed using a coding system adapted from research findings indicate that additional classes can improve performance in learning and it is extended by the students'excellence in tests. However, researchers recommended the implementation of intensive counseling classes should be extended to other subjects.

Moral values are the standards of moral development which are vital importance to be embedded to ... more Moral values are the standards of moral development which are vital importance to be embedded to everyone, especially the students. However, according to previous studies, to be sure the level of moral values in students is still very low, primarily in terms of knowledge and attitudes of moral values especially when students carry out lab assessment. Therefore, this study was undertaken to explore the extent of students '

The purpose of this study is to identify ability in applying generic skill ability among Malaysia... more The purpose of this study is to identify ability in applying generic skill ability among Malaysian polytechnic students after having learned the subject through cocurricular activities. The research design adopted a descriptive research of the sample survey type involving 409 polytechnic using a set of questionnaire as the research instrument. Findings of the study shows the respondents acknowledge that have the ability to apply several generic skills in management context such as skills in planning, organizing, implementing management tasks, making assessments, managing conflicts and conducting control. The study thus concludes that Malaysian polytechnic students can develop generic skills through co-curricular subject. 1.0 Introduction Dave (2002:19) explains that generic skill is also known using other terms such as soft skills, behavioral skills, enterprise skills, key competencies, core skills, employability skills and people skills. Simply, it means general skills that can be used in many occupations and not necessarily focusing on one occupation or industry. Other than that, generic skills are needed by all levels of occupation at industries (Hawke, 2003). Examples are communication skills, team work and problem solving. The Public Service Department (2003) relates generic skills to generic competence like knowledge, skills and personal features crucial for every individual despite the post held in any group like leadership, communication skills and decision making. NCVER's (2003) defines generic skills as skills not tailored to particular occupation or industry but important for employment, education and life in general. Examples of these skills are in communication, mathematic, organization, computer literacy, interpersonal competence and making analysis. According to Imel (1999), among the necessary generic skills needed by an employee or future employee is learning how to learn, read, write and using the computer. This also includes oral communication skills, effective listening, critical thinking, problem solving, excellent and committed personal management, interpersonal skills, effective leadership, work in group and having knowledge in basic technology. Based on the terms of definition presented it can be summarized that generic skills is a skill crucially needed by any worker despite their designation, kind of jobs and employment sector undertaken. Such skill is general and of variety in nature and not specific to technical skills only. Nevertheless, specifically generic skills refer to particular skills needed by certain employees or future employees. Based on the list of generic skills presented, it is evident there are skills that can be learned through co-curricular activities. Among them are the ability to work in groups, solve problems, making decisions, communicate and manage interpersonal relationships as proposed by Walker (2003), Keystone Central School District (2002), Switzer (2002),

Mastering the soft skills is important among students nowadays but the most dominant embeded plat... more Mastering the soft skills is important among students nowadays but the most dominant embeded platform for this skill is still unidentified. The purpose of this research was to identify the most dominant platform to embed the soft skills to order to assist student to master it. This research determines the level of exposure in three different platforms which are in cocuriculum activities, workshop and class adopted a one. The research descriptive design where data the result of the study hence would show the most dominant platform had been collected by questionnaire and interview. The respondents for this questionnaire were 260 students from Sekolah Menengah Teknik Batu Pahat and Sekolah Menengah Teknik Kluang, Johor. The result of the research indicates that the class platform had the highest level of soft skills implementation with 3.75 min, followed by cocuriculum 3.70 min and finally in workshop 3.69 min. The next result of the research also showed that the most dominant in implementating soft skills are curriculum activities and workshop. This was evident as Paired Sample T-test had shown that there was no significant difference in the level of implementation between these two platform at the value sig.(2-tailed) 0.605. Sample T-test had shown that there was significant difference in the level of embeded between these three platforms. The platforms were cocurriculum, class and workshop platform at the value of sig. (2-tailed) and 0.002.

The discrepancy of learning styles between lecturers and their students can affect academic achie... more The discrepancy of learning styles between lecturers and their students can affect academic achievements. Therefore, this study is done to identify the congruency of learning styles between lecturers and students using Gregorc Mind Style Model (1982). In addition, this study is to discover the attributes that influence the mind styles based on gender and academic specialization. Gregorc Style Delineator is (GSD) used to identify the mind styles of 269 lecturers and first year students in University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), randomly and clusterely selected. Chi Square Test is used to determine the differences in mind styles of lecturers and students. T-Test and ANNOVA is also done to identify the influence of gender and academic expertise in determining mind style. This study showed that the congruency of mind styles exists between lecturers and student. The findings suggested that lecturers should consider multiple factors in gender and academic specialization for the effectiveness of teaching and learning process.

Government has allocated funds to build and upgrade the present infrastructures to deal with the ... more Government has allocated funds to build and upgrade the present infrastructures to deal with the increasing capacity of students at community colleges. Among its reasons were the needs to strengthen the training and skills enhancement system and to encourage participation from SPM leavers. However, in fact not many of them interested to enroll and fill up the available quota. Therefore, this study was conducted to get views on SPM leaver's perception towards community colleges and the courses offered. The quantitative survey designed which used questionnaires as an instrument. Samples of 105 respondents who were attending the National Service Training Program (NSTP) at Semberong Camp were chosen to represent the whole population of SPM leavers for the year of 2007. Findings showed that the perceptions of SPM leavers towards community colleges were at a moderate level, such as their acceptance towards the courses offered. At the same time, they were alert and informative pertaining to community colleges and the courses being offered. Others aspects have also taken into account such as participations, triggers, interest in courses and demographic factors. In summary, SPM leavers' perception and acceptance towards community colleges and the courses offered were at a moderate level and it illustrated tendencies towards positive perception.

Good values are the foundation values which lead to the behaviour and important to be instilled t... more Good values are the foundation values which lead to the behaviour and important to be instilled to each individual particularly to the students. However, based on the previous researches, good values are less practiced among the students especially during their practical training in the laboratory. Therefore, this research is conducted to identify how far the students and lecturer have instilled the good values during the teaching and learning processes in the laboratory. About 226 Bachelor of Technical and Vocational Education's students are the respondents in this research. Questionnaire is the major instrument in this research beside interview and obse~ation as the backup methods. The findings of this research indicate that students instil and practice all the good values involved in this research. However, it was found out that only several number of the iecturers instil and practice the good values to the students during the teaching and learning processes in the laboratory. So. researcher have offered a few suggestions to ensure the lecturers and students do instil and practice the good values such as: The Authority of Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) need to do scheduled observation to ensure lecturers and students do instil and practice good values during teaching and learning processes.

Generic skills are important skills for worker that required by almost of the employments. Beside... more Generic skills are important skills for worker that required by almost of the employments. Beside technical skills, generic skills are designed for employee in order to produce excellent and efficient job. This research is focus on to identify the level of generic skills desirable by technician and the level of skills that they have from lecturer, student and technician perspective in polytechnic. The total of research respondent is 366 which consist of lecturers, students and technicians. The data is collected from questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS v.12 programmer to get mean score, standard deviation, factor analysis and ANOVA testing. Research finding found that the level of generic skills requirement among the technician is at a higher level (mean=4.156) and also mastering in generic skills at the higher level too (mean=4.184). Mean while, by the ANOVA analysis it is found that there is a significant different on generic skills technician level of requirement among the polytechnic. Through factor analysis, it is found nine (9) of generic skills are imperative to equip by technician. Based on research finding, hopefully a significant authority board will take a move to increase the generic skills among technician and other staffs in polytechnic.

The purpose of this research is an analysis amongst public higher education institution (IPTA) an... more The purpose of this research is an analysis amongst public higher education institution (IPTA) and private higher education institution (IPTS) students on the mastery level of generic skills in order to increase the employability. The sample of this study is comprised 386 IPTA and IPTS final semester students and two industrial representatives. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used as a research design by using questionnaire and interview as research instruments. The questionnaire data then was analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis while t-test had been conducted to compare generic skills among IPTA and IPTS students. Overall the finding indicated that IPTA and IPTS students had high awareness towards the importance of generic skills. And, the mastery level of generic skills amongst IPTA and IPTS students were also rather high. Nevertheless, the result shows that there are differences on the mastering of the generic skills between IPTA and IPTS students. Hence, with the hope, the results of the research can help the IPTA and IPTS to ensure the mastery of generic skills amongst students can fulfill the needs of the employee in the industry.

Teaching undergraduates at tertiary level is surely not an easy task what more when your students... more Teaching undergraduates at tertiary level is surely not an easy task what more when your students are engineering undergraduates who need to be competent not only in the content area but the generic skills as well. Surveys suggest that the generic aspect demand equal if not greater emphasis in order to produce competent marketable graduates. However, in Malaysia many undergraduates come from an examoriented schooling system that lacks the ingredient to develop both the content and generic skills. To "add salt to injury" Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), is a new university and half of the academic staff members are young and new to the teaching profession whose teaching approach have been greatly influenced and dependent upon the conventional way they had been taught themselves while studying at school and university -lacking in varieties and mainly lectures! Realizing this alarming situation, in 2005, UTHM formally embarked on a bold yet challenging journey into the world of Problem-based Learning (PBL) involving 30 academic staff from the various faculties who were to become pioneers and form the PBL Task Force of the university. Despite the uncertainty of venturing into new territory these mixed of young and senior lecturers dedicate themselves into making mastering PBL by attending training sessions both locally and abroad, conducting talks with experts in the field, participating in module development workshops and finally putting into practice what they have learned in their own classes for a whole semester. Our findings reveal that not only did the students benefit in the content area but also greatly gain in the equally crucial aspect of human resource development that is the generic skills like leadership, analytical thinking, conflict management, decision making and many skills. They also said that despite the greater amount of work undertaken it was compensated by the huge volume of knowledge, skills and positive values they acquired without which they would have been deprived if learning was mainly using the conventional way that they were used to.

Tujuan kajian dijalankan ialah untuk meninjau persepsi pelajar terhadap penerapan kemahiran kepim... more Tujuan kajian dijalankan ialah untuk meninjau persepsi pelajar terhadap penerapan kemahiran kepimpinan menerusi kokurikulum di politeknik-politeknik Malaysia. Reka bentuk penyelidikan yang digunakan ialah penyelidikan deskriptif jenis tinjau sampel yang melibatkan 409 orang pelajar politeknik dengan menggunakan instrumen soal selidik. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan para responden memberi maklum balas positif terhadap penerapan kemahiran kepimpinan menerusi kokurikulum di politeknik-politeknik. Didapati juga tidak terdapat perbezaan persepsi yang signifikan di kalangan responden peringkat sijil dan diploma terhadap penerapan kemahiran kepimpinan menerusi kokurikulum di politeknik. Daripada segi, jenis kokurikulum pula didapati terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan di antara responden yang mengikuti kokurikulum Polibriged, persatuan dan kelab, sukan dan permainan dan unit beruniform. Kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa pelajar politeknik boleh membina kemahiran kepimpinan menerusi kokurikulum.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate extra classes'effectiveness at Smart Secondary School, ... more The purpose of this study was to evaluate extra classes'effectiveness at Smart Secondary School, Johor. This entire research was conducted for about a year using a method called triangualitation which is a combination between quantitative and qualitative method. Six main methods namely survey, questionnaire, interview, observation, documentation checklist and analysis were used to collect data. In questionnaire method, study subject involved 242 respondents constituting teachers who teach in nine of Smart Secondary Schools in Johore while qualitative method involved 10 respondents by interview, 12 aspects observation, 15 aspects checklist and 17 collected documentation which comprises of official document, test material and examination. Respondent sample questionnaire was randomly chosen while interview criteria in interview items had been set by the researcher. Two sets of instruments were carried out in two different schools. Reliability index through pilot study of both instrument sets are from 0.7256 to 0.9165.Quantitative data to be analysed using Computer Software SPSS Version 10.5 For Windows to get statistic mean and standard deviation. Qualitative data were analyzed using a coding system adapted from research findings indicate that additional classes can improve performance in learning and it is extended by the students'excellence in tests. However, researchers recommended the implementation of intensive counseling classes should be extended to other subjects.

Moral values are the standards of moral development which are vital importance to be embedded to ... more Moral values are the standards of moral development which are vital importance to be embedded to everyone, especially the students. However, according to previous studies, to be sure the level of moral values in students is still very low, primarily in terms of knowledge and attitudes of moral values especially when students carry out lab assessment. Therefore, this study was undertaken to explore the extent of students '

The purpose of this study is to identify ability in applying generic skill ability among Malaysia... more The purpose of this study is to identify ability in applying generic skill ability among Malaysian polytechnic students after having learned the subject through cocurricular activities. The research design adopted a descriptive research of the sample survey type involving 409 polytechnic using a set of questionnaire as the research instrument. Findings of the study shows the respondents acknowledge that have the ability to apply several generic skills in management context such as skills in planning, organizing, implementing management tasks, making assessments, managing conflicts and conducting control. The study thus concludes that Malaysian polytechnic students can develop generic skills through co-curricular subject. 1.0 Introduction Dave (2002:19) explains that generic skill is also known using other terms such as soft skills, behavioral skills, enterprise skills, key competencies, core skills, employability skills and people skills. Simply, it means general skills that can be used in many occupations and not necessarily focusing on one occupation or industry. Other than that, generic skills are needed by all levels of occupation at industries (Hawke, 2003). Examples are communication skills, team work and problem solving. The Public Service Department (2003) relates generic skills to generic competence like knowledge, skills and personal features crucial for every individual despite the post held in any group like leadership, communication skills and decision making. NCVER's (2003) defines generic skills as skills not tailored to particular occupation or industry but important for employment, education and life in general. Examples of these skills are in communication, mathematic, organization, computer literacy, interpersonal competence and making analysis. According to Imel (1999), among the necessary generic skills needed by an employee or future employee is learning how to learn, read, write and using the computer. This also includes oral communication skills, effective listening, critical thinking, problem solving, excellent and committed personal management, interpersonal skills, effective leadership, work in group and having knowledge in basic technology. Based on the terms of definition presented it can be summarized that generic skills is a skill crucially needed by any worker despite their designation, kind of jobs and employment sector undertaken. Such skill is general and of variety in nature and not specific to technical skills only. Nevertheless, specifically generic skills refer to particular skills needed by certain employees or future employees. Based on the list of generic skills presented, it is evident there are skills that can be learned through co-curricular activities. Among them are the ability to work in groups, solve problems, making decisions, communicate and manage interpersonal relationships as proposed by Walker (2003), Keystone Central School District (2002), Switzer (2002),

Mastering the soft skills is important among students nowadays but the most dominant embeded plat... more Mastering the soft skills is important among students nowadays but the most dominant embeded platform for this skill is still unidentified. The purpose of this research was to identify the most dominant platform to embed the soft skills to order to assist student to master it. This research determines the level of exposure in three different platforms which are in cocuriculum activities, workshop and class adopted a one. The research descriptive design where data the result of the study hence would show the most dominant platform had been collected by questionnaire and interview. The respondents for this questionnaire were 260 students from Sekolah Menengah Teknik Batu Pahat and Sekolah Menengah Teknik Kluang, Johor. The result of the research indicates that the class platform had the highest level of soft skills implementation with 3.75 min, followed by cocuriculum 3.70 min and finally in workshop 3.69 min. The next result of the research also showed that the most dominant in implementating soft skills are curriculum activities and workshop. This was evident as Paired Sample T-test had shown that there was no significant difference in the level of implementation between these two platform at the value sig.(2-tailed) 0.605. Sample T-test had shown that there was significant difference in the level of embeded between these three platforms. The platforms were cocurriculum, class and workshop platform at the value of sig. (2-tailed) and 0.002.

The discrepancy of learning styles between lecturers and their students can affect academic achie... more The discrepancy of learning styles between lecturers and their students can affect academic achievements. Therefore, this study is done to identify the congruency of learning styles between lecturers and students using Gregorc Mind Style Model (1982). In addition, this study is to discover the attributes that influence the mind styles based on gender and academic specialization. Gregorc Style Delineator is (GSD) used to identify the mind styles of 269 lecturers and first year students in University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), randomly and clusterely selected. Chi Square Test is used to determine the differences in mind styles of lecturers and students. T-Test and ANNOVA is also done to identify the influence of gender and academic expertise in determining mind style. This study showed that the congruency of mind styles exists between lecturers and student. The findings suggested that lecturers should consider multiple factors in gender and academic specialization for the effectiveness of teaching and learning process.

Government has allocated funds to build and upgrade the present infrastructures to deal with the ... more Government has allocated funds to build and upgrade the present infrastructures to deal with the increasing capacity of students at community colleges. Among its reasons were the needs to strengthen the training and skills enhancement system and to encourage participation from SPM leavers. However, in fact not many of them interested to enroll and fill up the available quota. Therefore, this study was conducted to get views on SPM leaver's perception towards community colleges and the courses offered. The quantitative survey designed which used questionnaires as an instrument. Samples of 105 respondents who were attending the National Service Training Program (NSTP) at Semberong Camp were chosen to represent the whole population of SPM leavers for the year of 2007. Findings showed that the perceptions of SPM leavers towards community colleges were at a moderate level, such as their acceptance towards the courses offered. At the same time, they were alert and informative pertaining to community colleges and the courses being offered. Others aspects have also taken into account such as participations, triggers, interest in courses and demographic factors. In summary, SPM leavers' perception and acceptance towards community colleges and the courses offered were at a moderate level and it illustrated tendencies towards positive perception.

Good values are the foundation values which lead to the behaviour and important to be instilled t... more Good values are the foundation values which lead to the behaviour and important to be instilled to each individual particularly to the students. However, based on the previous researches, good values are less practiced among the students especially during their practical training in the laboratory. Therefore, this research is conducted to identify how far the students and lecturer have instilled the good values during the teaching and learning processes in the laboratory. About 226 Bachelor of Technical and Vocational Education's students are the respondents in this research. Questionnaire is the major instrument in this research beside interview and obse~ation as the backup methods. The findings of this research indicate that students instil and practice all the good values involved in this research. However, it was found out that only several number of the iecturers instil and practice the good values to the students during the teaching and learning processes in the laboratory. So. researcher have offered a few suggestions to ensure the lecturers and students do instil and practice the good values such as: The Authority of Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) need to do scheduled observation to ensure lecturers and students do instil and practice good values during teaching and learning processes.

Generic skills are important skills for worker that required by almost of the employments. Beside... more Generic skills are important skills for worker that required by almost of the employments. Beside technical skills, generic skills are designed for employee in order to produce excellent and efficient job. This research is focus on to identify the level of generic skills desirable by technician and the level of skills that they have from lecturer, student and technician perspective in polytechnic. The total of research respondent is 366 which consist of lecturers, students and technicians. The data is collected from questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS v.12 programmer to get mean score, standard deviation, factor analysis and ANOVA testing. Research finding found that the level of generic skills requirement among the technician is at a higher level (mean=4.156) and also mastering in generic skills at the higher level too (mean=4.184). Mean while, by the ANOVA analysis it is found that there is a significant different on generic skills technician level of requirement among the polytechnic. Through factor analysis, it is found nine (9) of generic skills are imperative to equip by technician. Based on research finding, hopefully a significant authority board will take a move to increase the generic skills among technician and other staffs in polytechnic.

The purpose of this research is an analysis amongst public higher education institution (IPTA) an... more The purpose of this research is an analysis amongst public higher education institution (IPTA) and private higher education institution (IPTS) students on the mastery level of generic skills in order to increase the employability. The sample of this study is comprised 386 IPTA and IPTS final semester students and two industrial representatives. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used as a research design by using questionnaire and interview as research instruments. The questionnaire data then was analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis while t-test had been conducted to compare generic skills among IPTA and IPTS students. Overall the finding indicated that IPTA and IPTS students had high awareness towards the importance of generic skills. And, the mastery level of generic skills amongst IPTA and IPTS students were also rather high. Nevertheless, the result shows that there are differences on the mastering of the generic skills between IPTA and IPTS students. Hence, with the hope, the results of the research can help the IPTA and IPTS to ensure the mastery of generic skills amongst students can fulfill the needs of the employee in the industry.

Teaching undergraduates at tertiary level is surely not an easy task what more when your students... more Teaching undergraduates at tertiary level is surely not an easy task what more when your students are engineering undergraduates who need to be competent not only in the content area but the generic skills as well. Surveys suggest that the generic aspect demand equal if not greater emphasis in order to produce competent marketable graduates. However, in Malaysia many undergraduates come from an examoriented schooling system that lacks the ingredient to develop both the content and generic skills. To "add salt to injury" Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), is a new university and half of the academic staff members are young and new to the teaching profession whose teaching approach have been greatly influenced and dependent upon the conventional way they had been taught themselves while studying at school and university -lacking in varieties and mainly lectures! Realizing this alarming situation, in 2005, UTHM formally embarked on a bold yet challenging journey into the world of Problem-based Learning (PBL) involving 30 academic staff from the various faculties who were to become pioneers and form the PBL Task Force of the university. Despite the uncertainty of venturing into new territory these mixed of young and senior lecturers dedicate themselves into making mastering PBL by attending training sessions both locally and abroad, conducting talks with experts in the field, participating in module development workshops and finally putting into practice what they have learned in their own classes for a whole semester. Our findings reveal that not only did the students benefit in the content area but also greatly gain in the equally crucial aspect of human resource development that is the generic skills like leadership, analytical thinking, conflict management, decision making and many skills. They also said that despite the greater amount of work undertaken it was compensated by the huge volume of knowledge, skills and positive values they acquired without which they would have been deprived if learning was mainly using the conventional way that they were used to.

Tujuan kajian dijalankan ialah untuk meninjau persepsi pelajar terhadap penerapan kemahiran kepim... more Tujuan kajian dijalankan ialah untuk meninjau persepsi pelajar terhadap penerapan kemahiran kepimpinan menerusi kokurikulum di politeknik-politeknik Malaysia. Reka bentuk penyelidikan yang digunakan ialah penyelidikan deskriptif jenis tinjau sampel yang melibatkan 409 orang pelajar politeknik dengan menggunakan instrumen soal selidik. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan para responden memberi maklum balas positif terhadap penerapan kemahiran kepimpinan menerusi kokurikulum di politeknik-politeknik. Didapati juga tidak terdapat perbezaan persepsi yang signifikan di kalangan responden peringkat sijil dan diploma terhadap penerapan kemahiran kepimpinan menerusi kokurikulum di politeknik. Daripada segi, jenis kokurikulum pula didapati terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan di antara responden yang mengikuti kokurikulum Polibriged, persatuan dan kelab, sukan dan permainan dan unit beruniform. Kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa pelajar politeknik boleh membina kemahiran kepimpinan menerusi kokurikulum.