Search

Availability of technology is no longer an issue, but in view of the promise of distance education and the development of electronic communication and network, the distance learning programme at the Universiti Sains Malaysia is directing its virtual multimedia course delivery via online education. The instructional design aspects of a multimedia course topic are presented. The results of a preliminary perceptions towards online education in distance learning conducted at the recent launching of online education in USM revealed that students perception is still focused on accessibility and presentation rather than pedagogical techniques and interactivity. L'éducation à distance en ligne à l'Universiti Sains Malaysia : Perceptions preliminairs La disponibilité de la technologie n'est plus un problème mais devant les promesses de l'éducation à distance et le développement des réseaux électroniques de communications, le programme d'enseignement à distance de l'Université Sains Malaysia oriente ses cours virtuels multimédia via l'éducation en ligne. Cet article présente les aspects de l'élaboration éducative d'un sujet du cours multi-media. Les résultats des perceptions préliminaires vers l'éducation en ligne dans l'enseignement à distance conduit lors du lancement du « on-line education » dans l'USM a révelé que la perception des étudiants est toujours concentrée sur l'accessibilité et la présentation plutôt que sur les techniques pédagogiques et l'interactivité. Online Fernstudien an der Universität Sains Malaysia, Malaysia: Vorläufige Auffassungen Verfügbarkeit von Technik ist heute kein Thema mehr. Im Hinblick auf die Aussichten von Fernstudien und der Entwicklung elektronischer Kommunikation und Netzwerken führt die Universität Sains Malaysia die Zulieferung ihrer Fernstudienprogramme mit virtuellem Multimediamaterial online durch. Die Gesichtspunkte für ein Multimediakurs-Thema werden dargestellt. Die Ergebnisse einer vorläufigen Meinungsbildung in Richtung Online-Unterweisung im Rahmen der kürzlich erfolgten Einrichtung von Online Education in USM offenbarte, dass im Zentrum der Wahrnehmung der Studenten immer noch mehr der Zugang und die Darstellung denn die pädagogischen Techniken und möglichen Interaktivitäten stehen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted regarding students' perceptions on the characteristics of the learning requirements in a web-based learning environment. Various aspects of on-line learning were studied including the general web-based support system for the students, the learning materials, instructional strategies of the learning materials and the learning resources. The results revealed a high degree of necessity for a web-based general support system to be provided to the students; the students were also very receptive towards the need for on-line supplementary course articles, as well as materials related to course tests and examinations. Where the on-line web-based learning materials were concerned, the students perceived that these should only be supplementary and supportive to the existing modular print-based format of the course delivery. The instructional strategies that integrate various forms of interaction, the access to a plethora of resources and the media-rich environment fitted well with their learning requirements via distance education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on the management practices in the Malaysian Smart Schools was investigated. The analysis revealed that the impact has resulted in changes that include the enrichment of the ICT culture among students and teachers, more efficient student and teacher administration, better accessibility to information and a higher utilisation of school resources. This analysis also revealed that time constraints, higher administrative costs, negative acceptance/support from some untrained staff, abuse of the ICT facilities and problems related to the imposed rigid procedural requirements are among the challenges encountered by the schools. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article reports on the gender differences in self-perceived computer competencies among distance education learners at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Four aspects of competencies that are related to computer usage and its applications were studied; these were competencies in the usage of general computer software, usage of networking software, handling of computer hardware and performing computer maintenance. The results showed that there are no significant differences between the genders in terms of the competencies in the usage of general computer software as well as networking software. These are directly linked to the educational purposes needed to support and facilitate learning in distance education. However, gender differences are observed regarding competencies in their handling of most aspects of computer hardware as well as performing computer maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]