FRIDAY, 04 JULY – The ICT-Based Learning Object Development Project Through Natural Methods for Rural Primary Schools conducted by a group of lecturers and researchers from the Faculty of Psychology and Education was an effort to expand the teaching method of English subject in rural schools.

Chief of project, Yoon Seok Jhee explained that the projects undertaken at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bundu Tuhan showed positive results in reviewing the effectiveness of teaching and learning of English.

“We not only use the learning objects in teaching students for this project, we also help the school to create learning objects appropriate to the minds of the pupils at the pre-school and primary schools.

“Our primary goal is to assist schools in enriching the methods used in teaching English to the students,” he said when met by Chancellery Media.

She added that the study through interviewing of students was done to ensure their acceptance of the learning objects used.

“The pupils responded well to the interviews conducted, and we found that most of the objects were well-liked by the students, although there were some that were less favoured.

“We will make further improvements on the learning objects, a special workshop will be organised after this project to teach Teaching of English as a Second Language (TESL) students and school teachers in developing the learning objects for effective English language learning,” she said.

The project also involved five Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) lecturers from the Faculty of Psychology and Education (FPP), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tan Choon Keong, Dr. Lee Kean Wah, Dr. Suhaida Omar; lecturers from the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Heritage (FKSW), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Low Kok On, and a lecturer from the Centre for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language Learning, Priscilla Shak Yee Ping. The project was sponsored by the Ministry of Education under the Research Acculturation Grant Scheme (RAGS). – MA (fl)


Photo: Johaidi Ismail


Media and Citra Division
Chancellery Department
 

FRIDAY, 04 JULY – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is committed in conducting university-community collaboration in rural areas in its efforts to achieve the objectives of exploring, preserving and effectively gain knowledge for the development of society and nation.

Recently, a programme called ‘ICT-Based Learning Object Development Project Through Natural Methods for Rural Primary Schools’ was conducted at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bundu Tuhan, Ranau.

The project involving 15 year two and three students from the Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) programme, Faculty of Psychology and Education (FPP) UMS were at the school for a week starting from 30 June.

According to the Dean of FPP, Prof. Dr. Ismail Ibrahim, the project which was sponsored by the Ministry of Education under the Research Acculturation Grant Scheme (RAGS) among others was aimed at examining the effectiveness of the learning object created for the teaching and learning of English language.

“The use of ICT-based learning objects involved various elements such as animation, music and graphics. This programme is to enrich the learning experience of English language among school children.

“I hope this programme will be beneficial to students and teachers of SK Bundu Tuhan in diversifying the techniques of teaching and learning English language,” he said when officiating at the closing ceremony of the project. His speech was read by FPP Deputy Dean of Student Affairs and Alumni, Dr. Suyansah Swanto.

Meanwhile, the Headmaster of SK Bundu Tuhan, Johnny Ghani explained that the programmes conducted at the school was seen to be effective in stimulating his pupils desire to learn and love the English language.

He said, the excitement radiated on the face of the pre-schools up to Year 3 pupils involved in the project clearly illustrated how comfortable they were being guided by UMS undergrads who were willing to devote their knowledge and experience of teaching for a week.

“Although the school lags in terms of infrastructure, but academically we are not much different compared to other schools. Such guidance can improve the academic level of the students of this school.

“The presence of lecturers and students of UMS here has inspired us to aspire for continued excellence,” he further added.

He added that SK Bundu Tuhan was always ready to give their cooperation to carry out any programme either with UMS or other educational institutions for the sake of education excellence of the children in that district. – MA (fl)


Photo: Johaidi Ismail


Media and Citra Division
Chancellery Department
 

WEDNESDAY, 02 JULY – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) will soon ban the use of plastic bottles.

This was expressed by the Director of EcoCampus Management Centre, Dr. Awangku Hassanal Bahar bin Pengiran Bagul in an interview with reporters after the launch of an educational talk today.

He said it was an effort to realise UMS efforts towards becoming an EcoCampus university.

“Through the collaboration with cleaning companies in the campus, it was found that plastic mineral water bottles contributes as the third highest waste in the university after papers and plastic bags.

“Therefore, we will strive to reduce and eventually eliminate the use of this bottle and encourage the use of water bottle that can be refilled,” he added.

Dr. Hassanal also revealed that he had held a discussion with UMS Cooperative (Koperasi UMS) to sell refillable bottles at a price below the RM10.00 price tag besides selling mineral water bottles with the PET logo.

It was an effort to inculcate the practice of nature conservation, which is a responsibility of all UMS community setting an example to other communities of all levels.

“This means that plastic mineral water bottles will not be allowed into any activities organised,” he concluded. – SS (fl)



Media and Citra Division
Chancellery Department