Papers by Roselainy Abdul Rahman
Over the years, I have seen my students struggle to move from elementary to advanced mathematical... more Over the years, I have seen my students struggle to move from elementary to advanced mathematical thinking. I believe there is a need for an effective mathematical pedagogy in the learning of advanced mathematics that explicitly promotes mathematical thinking. Researches in mathematics education have contributed much towards providing theoretical perspectives for understanding thinking, learning, and teaching. It has also provided description on aspects of cognition as well as evidence on the viability and consequences of various kinds of instruction. In this study, I will describe my experience in translating some of the theories into classroom practice appropriate to both my students' and my own circumstances. The purpose of my research was to bring about improvements to the teaching of Advanced Calculus (Engineering Mathematics) to engineering undergraduates with the aim that it would also bring about changes on how students think about the mathematics. A framework that guide...
The Malaysian workplace needs graduates with employability skills such as critical thinking, prob... more The Malaysian workplace needs graduates with employability skills such as critical thinking, problem solving and ability to communicate. In 2006, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has integrated these goals in undergraduate education but studies at UTM have indicated that the goals have not been translated into successful implementation. In this presentation, we will share how we had implemented an integrated approach which addressed students’ knowledge, thinking, problem solving and generic skills, in particular, communication. We had developed a framework which was used to guide our instructions in Engineering Mathematics I since 2009/2010 session, in Engineering Mathematics II since 2010/2011, and in Differential Equations since 2012/2013 session. The same strategies were implemented in Malaysia Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT, UTM KL) in Engineering Mathematics III for the 2011/2012 and 2013/2014 sessions.
A model describing factors affecting students’ learning will be presented. The model was based on... more A model describing factors affecting students’ learning will be presented. The model was based on Norman and Prichard’s work which identified three major components of the teaching and learning situation, namely Entry Mastery, Student Motivation and Opportunity to Learn. I have focused on two components: Opportunity to Learn and Students’ Motivation in the teaching of Engineering Mathematics at UTM. I changed my teaching practice to support the development of students’ independent learning and problem solving skills. Naturalistic data of class interactions and how they influence students’ motivation and attitudes towards learning will be presented. From the analysis, additional elements were added to the model. © 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of Centre of Engineering Education, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
An essential outcome in undergraduate mathematics learning is the ability for students to be able... more An essential outcome in undergraduate mathematics learning is the ability for students to be able to solve problems. Thus, the development of higher order thinking skills (HOTs) is essential in mathematics learning. A relevant consideration is the need to appraise current assessment processes and procedures in determining students' capability in using HOTs. Towards this goal, we embarked on a study of current assessment practice by (i) studying the advancement of assessment ideas and methods in mathematics, and (ii) carried out a case study to examine assessment practice at university level. This paper hopes to initiate and generate discussions about various issues on assessment of undergraduate mathematics. To review worldwide developments in assessment of mathematical learning, we analyzed practices from other higher education institutions, in particular, from two projects, Supporting Assessment in Undergraduate Mathematics, carried out in the USA and Mapping University Mathem...
This study will conducted to identify the factors of implementing family friendly policies to sup... more This study will conducted to identify the factors of implementing family friendly policies to support the extensive implementation of family friendly policies in Malaysian Hospital. Policy practices in federal government will examined through document analysis and interview with government officer. Data from private and government hospitals in Klang Valley will gather using questionnaire.
Sains Humanika, 2017
Identification of students learning approaches and its characteristics that contribute to learnin... more Identification of students learning approaches and its characteristics that contribute to learning success are so important in achieving learning outcomes. A previous study has shown that most of the students use more of surface learning approach instead of deep learning approach in their studies. The study uses a questionnaire, R-SPQ-2F to evaluate students’ surface and deep learning approach. This paper will present findings from a study that was carried out to compare the effect of using cooperative learning and the traditional method among students in Industrial Mechatronics Engineering Technology Program at MARA High Skill College Balik Pulau, Penang, Malaysia. The aim is to investigate the effectiveness of each method. Using a quantitative approach, two groups of students, one group from each respective teaching method, were studied. Analysis of the findings found that using cooperative learning has a more positive effect when compared to the traditional learning.
This study aims to investigate the perceptions of engineers and engineering lecturers on their ma... more This study aims to investigate the perceptions of engineers and engineering lecturers on their mathematical experiences in the development of thinking skills and the mathematical concepts, mathematical skills and thinking skills that they use in the work place. The sample of the study consists of 23 engineers and 28 engineering lecturers in various fields. For data collection this study used surveys for engineers and engineering lecturers comprised of a multiple choice and open ended questionnaire and also interviews with respondents from both groups. Results reveal that there is no consistency between engineers' and lecturers' perceptions about the mathematical concepts, mathematical skills and thinking skills that engineers use in the workplace.
This paper describes a proposal to enhance the teaching of Engineering Mathematics by integrating... more This paper describes a proposal to enhance the teaching of Engineering Mathematics by integrating mathematical thinking and engineering thinking. In our previous research we had focused on the development and support of the mathematical thinking amongst engineering undergraduates and the results showed that the strategies we used were successful in promoting positive changes in our attitude as well as that of our students. However, the transfer of knowledge remains problematic since the application of the mathematics learnt to the specific engineering discipline was done in a general manner. Here, the emphasis will be on how mathematics can be better integrated into engineering education to support the flexible thinking skills that are critical for engineering practice broadly as well as for creativity and innovation. We will present a conceptual framework on the importance of making both thinking processes explicit which would positively influence the teaching of mathematics to pro...
Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2012
In multivariable calculus, the concept of multivariable function is one of the most difficult for... more In multivariable calculus, the concept of multivariable function is one of the most difficult for undergraduate students to study. The main objective of this study is to establish a model of teaching and learning to support students' mathematical thinking in the learning of two-variable functions through a blended learning environment. The impact of this environment on students' learning of two-variable functions and in overcoming students' obstacles are put forward. Findings revealed that blended learning supports students' mathematical thinking and helps in overcoming additional obstacles in mathematical learning. Poor mathematical knowledge of single-variable functions and poor algebraic manipulations are still the main reasons behind student obstacles in learning two-variable functions.
Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2012
Calculus as a prerequisite course to other advanced mathematics courses is one of the important a... more Calculus as a prerequisite course to other advanced mathematics courses is one of the important and difficult courses for undergraduate students in many fields of study. Mathematical thinking is an important method to support students in the learning of calculus and specifically multivariable calculus. Researchers endeavour to support students' mathematical thinking in calculus with or without computer-based tools. The main goal of this paper is to illustrate the importance of using computer-based tools for fostering students' mathematical thinking to overcome their obstacles in multivariable calculus.
Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2012
Much research has been conducted on the teaching and learning of mathematics for engineering unde... more Much research has been conducted on the teaching and learning of mathematics for engineering undergraduates. This paper reports on a preliminary study in an investigation on the mathematics curriculum of engineering students, a study of engineering students and lecturers' perceptions about the mathematics curriculum, teaching and learning that have been carried out. The research instrument was a set of questionnaire that the respondents consist of lecturers and students from engineering faculties of UTM in Johor, Malaysia. The information highlights issues of concern in the development of the mathematics curriculum for engineering students based on data of implemented curriculum as compared to the desired curriculum.
Jurnal Teknologi, 2001
Kertas kerja ini akan menerangkan perkembangan pendidikan matematik di UTM. Suatu tinjauan berkai... more Kertas kerja ini akan menerangkan perkembangan pendidikan matematik di UTM. Suatu tinjauan berkaitan dengan masalah pembelajaran dan pengajaran matematik dalam dekat yang lalu akan dibincangkan. Beberapa strategi telah dilaksanakan untuk menangani permasalahan pelajar. Mengurangkan jurang perbezaan kebolehan antara pelajar serta memudahkan peralihan dari sekolah ke pendidikan peringkat tinggi. Suatu ringkasan tentang program–program tersebut akan diberikan. Beberapa perubahan yang berlaku kini akan memberi kesan kepada hala tuju pendidikan di UTM. Terdapat peningkatan dalam bilangan pengambilan pelajar, usaha ke arah menyepadukan media elektronik dalam pengajaran dan pengembangan pendidikan maya yang akan membuka ruang yang lebih luas kepada pendidikan. Khususnya, bagi pendidikan matematik, perubahan ini akan mempengaruhi perkembangan kurikulum, kaedah pengajaran dan penilaian pembelajaran matematik. Oleh yang demikian, inilah senario pendidikan di UTM – dalam sistem akademik yang s...
Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2012
I will be discussing a model that describes factors that would influence a teaching and learning ... more I will be discussing a model that describes factors that would influence a teaching and learning situation. The model was based on one that was presented by Norman and Prichard (1994) which identified three major components of the teaching and learning situation, which were, Entry Mastery, Student Motivation and Opportunity to Learn. However, Norman and Prichard were primarily concerned with the Entry Mastery category as they believed that this is where many cognitive obstacles originated. I have used the model to focus on the other two components: Opportunity to Learn and Students' Motivation in the teaching of Engineering Mathematics to Engineering undergraduates at UTM. Changes were made to my teaching practice in an attempt to support my engineering undergraduate students' learning that would inculcate independence and better problem solving skills. The nature of the changes in my teaching was to provide suitably designed educational opportunities for students to use their mathematical thinking powers and communicate their mathematical knowledge, and record how these activities supported changes in students' attitudes towards learning mathematics. I had no influence in changing the Entry Mastery component but gathered data through various tools to identify the students' mastery of their prior mathematical knowledge. The data I have collected through research carried out over a number of years, has added depth to the model and will present naturalistic data of the interaction between lecturer and students in the classroom, out of it and how these interactions could influence students' motivation which in turn, could influence students' attitudes towards learning. In the discussion, I will first briefly identify the factors that shaped and affected my teaching practice, present an analysis of factors affecting students' learning and will propose some additional elements to the categories of Opportunity to Learn and Students' Motivation in the model.
2011 3rd International Congress on Engineering Education (ICEED), 2011
Abstract Mathematics is one of the most difficult courses to study for engineering students. In a... more Abstract Mathematics is one of the most difficult courses to study for engineering students. In addition, effective communication, teamwork, and problem solving are important skills for graduate engineers in their professional work. This study proposes Creative Problem Solving as a framework to improve the way engineering students learn mathematics and support their critical problem solving, communication, and team working skills. The main goal of this paper is to illustrate the importance of using creative problem solving skills ...
STEM Education: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications
The paper discusses the results of an action research to improve teaching practice which applied ... more The paper discusses the results of an action research to improve teaching practice which applied the philosophy of Knowledge – Experiential – Self-regulated (KES) at the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. The teaching and learning strategies were implemented to achieve the following objectives; (i) to enhance students' mathematical competencies; (ii) to support self-regulated learning; and (iii) to improve the teaching practice of Engineering Mathematics 3 i.e. Advanced Calculus. A modification to a previously developed framework by Roselainy et al. (2012a) was performed to encourage students to adopt self-regulated learning behaviour in an active learning environment. The teaching, learning and assessment activities were aligned constructively based on the theory of Biggs & Tang (2010). Data was collected, analysed and later employed to modify the teaching and learning activities. The findings found that it is imperative for tea...
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Papers by Roselainy Abdul Rahman