R & D ANNUAL REPORT 2016

This was in consequence to the Centre for Learning and Teaching’s 2015 research project on “Evaluating Teaching Delivery and Identifying Training Needs” of the trainers of Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM) or Malaysian Maritime Academy.  A full Final Report of the Findings was presented to ALAM in March 2016. On 23 April 2016, oral presentation of the Final Report was conducted at ALAM by Dr Cheah Phaik Kin and Ms Winie Er Pek Hoon in the presence of the Director of Training Division, Department of Human Resources, Capt Lee Ghim Teck and other Heads of Departments.

Group photo session with Capt Lee Ghim Teck after presentation of the Final Report at ALAM.

In February 2016, the Quality Assurance and Audit Committee meeting (QAAC), a standing committee of UTAR Senate, requested for a review of the current online Lecturer and Unit Evaluation surveys. A pro-tem committee on Teaching Evaluation Survey was formed to propose an improvised survey instrument. The Centre for Learning and Teaching (CLT), being a member of the pro-tem committee, accordingly conducted a Workshop on “Lecturers’ Teaching Evaluation Survey Instrument” on Thursday 26 MAY 2016, from 11am to 5pm. A review of the current literature on teaching evaluation was conducted and after a lengthy discussion, a new proposed instrument was drafted out.

The workshop was opened by the Vice-President (Internationalisation and Academic Development) Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat, and thereafter, the workshop attendees proceeded with a lengthy discussion before finally drafting out a new proposed instrument. The attendees of the workshop were CLT members Ms Winnie Er, Mr Chong Chee Keong, Mr Lee Chee Heong, Dr Mahmud Abdul Wahab, Dr Cheah Phaik Kin, Mr Wong Kin Tat, Ms Surindar Kaur A/P Gurmukh Singh, Mr Yeoh Hong Beng and Mr Anbuselvan a/l Sangodiah. Meanwhile, Ms Joanne Yue Jing Wen represented the Registrar’s office while Ms Lam Soon Wai and Ms Hew Li Chen represented the Division of Quality Assurance.

Prof Dr Ewe opening the CLT Workshop on “Lecturers’ Teaching Evaluation Survey Instrument”, Thursday 26 May 2016, UTAR Perak Campus.

Attendees of the CLT Workshop on “Lecturers’ Teaching Evaluation Survey Instrument”.

The 3rd edition of the Symposium on Science Education (SoSE) 2016 was organized on 13th August 2016, through the collaborative efforts of UTAR Centre for Learning and Teaching, the Division of Programme Promotion and the Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research. It is supported by Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia and sponsored by KLESF, Majlis Professor Negara, the Toray Group (Malaysia), SASBADI and GTI Media.

The Symposium attracted more than 268 participants comprising teachers from government secondary schools, Chinese schools, International and private schools, lecturers from Matriculation colleges, MRSM, Institut Pendidikan Guru, public universities, private universities, District Education officials, Ministry of Education officials, UTAR staff members and members of the public.  The Chairperson of the KLESF Organising Committee, YBhg Datuk Ir Hong Lee Pee was also present.

Themed “Inculcating Innovation In The Teaching of Science and Mathematics”, it aimed to share innovative and effective teaching methods in STEM education, create awareness of the current innovative teaching methods of STEM subjects and how the horizon can be broadened.

Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik, the President/CEO of UTAR, gave his welcome speech. The Keynote address was delivered by YBrs Dr Sariah Binti Abdul Jalil, Pengarah Pembangunan Kurikulum, Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia. The Invited Talk was delivered by Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr Aminah bte Ayob, Emeritus Professor of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, representing Ketua Kluster Pendidikan dan Pembangunan Modal Insan, Majlis Professor Negara.

The other speakers who shared their knowledge and insight into the teaching Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) were Malaysia Toray Science Foundation (MTSF) Science Education award winners Mdm Sia Peng Yee and Dr Choong Chee Guan, a “Top 50 Finalist of the Global Teacher Prize 2015” Pn Yasmin Noorul Amin and Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) Guru Cemerlang Cik Wan Rohani Bte Harun.

In addition, there was a hands-on workshop by Malaysian Mental Literacy Movement (MMLM) trainer Teoh Poh Yew on developing innovative teaching aids to help students understand mathematical concepts. The final speaker was a professional trainer from Sasbadi Learning Solutions Sdn Bhd, Tengku Hazrul Tengku Haizar.

Group photo session of UTAR's Ir Prof Academician Dato' Dr Chuah Hean Teik, YBrs Dr Sariah Binti Abdul Jalil and other speakers and presenters.

Participants at the SoSE 2016

Professor Emeritus Dato' Dr Aminah bte Ayob, Y.Brs Dr Sariah Binti Abdul Jalil, Ir Prof Academician Dato' Dr Chuah and YBhg Datuk Ir Hong at the SoSE 2016.

An inspirational and heart-warming presentation by Pn Yasmin Noorul Amin, a "Top 50 Finalist of the Global Teacher Prize 2015" at the SoSE 2016.

The Centre for Learning and Teaching (CLT), being an official Resource Distribution and Training Centre (RDTC) of UNESCO Bangkok, was invited to participate in an event organised by UNESCO Bangkok, World Teachers’ Day Forum, which was held from Oct 5-6, 2016, in Bangkok, Thailand. CLT was represented by Ms Winnie Er Pek Hoon and Mr Lee Chee Heong.

The World Teachers’ Day Forum was to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the ILO/UNESCO Recommendations concerning the Status of Teachers ((1966). The theme was “Valuing Teachers, Improving their Status”.  The main objectives of the forum are to provide a platform to:

• review teacher policies with reference to the 1966 recommendations and examine the gaps in promoting teacher status and improving their working conditions; and
• discuss policies impacting teacher issues
• gather inputs on ground needs of teachers 
• gather inputs on possible actions to improve teacher status

Among the notable panelists were: Dr Wang Libing (Chief of Section, Educational Innovation and Skills Development, UNESCO Bangkok), Dr Belinda Charles (Dean, Academy of Principals, Singapore), Professor Dato’ Dr Morshidi Sirat (Director, Commonwealth Tertiary Education Facility, National Higher Education Research Institute, Malaysia) and Dr Molly Lee (Former Programme  Specialist, UNESCO Bangkok).
CLT Chairperson, Ms Winnie Er, was invited to be a panelist at the 2nd Plenary Discussion, on “Teacher Needs from Ground Perspective”. The other panelists were Ms. Li Nihong (Lecture researcher, Yuexiu District Center for Teacher Education Development, China) and Ms. Amcy Esteban (Master Teacher, Education Programme Supervisor, The Philippines).

CLT Chairperson, Ms Winnie Er, at the Plenary Discussion on "Teacher Needs from Ground Perspective".

Photograph with Tan Sri Emeritus Prof Dr Gajaraj Dhanarajan (Chairman of Board of Governors, Wawasan Open University, Malaysia) and Dr Mahanom Binti Mat Sam (Timbalan Ketua Nazir (Dasar), Jemaah Nazir dan Jaminan Kualiti, Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia).

Photograph with Professor Dato’ Dr Morshidi Sirat (Director, Commonwealth Tertiary Education Facility, National Higher Education Research Institute, Malaysia)

Photograph with Dr Wang Libing (Chief of Section, Educational Innovation and Skills Development, UNESCO Bangkok) and Prof Dr Andrew Zhao Jianhua (Deputy Dean, School of Information Technology, South China Normal University)

Following the World Teachers’ Day Forum, UNESCO Bangkok organised the Expert Meeting on Facilitating Teachers’ Use of Open Educational Resources (OER) on 7 October 2016, also in Bangkok, Thailand. The Centre for Learning and Teaching (CLT), being an official Resource Distribution and Training Centre (RDTC) of UNESCO Bangkok, was also invited to participate in this event.
The Expert Meeting on Facilitating Teachers’ Use of OER was held in conjunction with the World Teachers’ Day and to implement the Paris OER Declaration 2012. Its specific objectives were to:

• conduct a regional survey on teachers’ awareness and use of OERs
• develop a guidebook for teachers in accessing, exploring, evaluating, using, re-purposing and sharing OERs. 
• consult and agree on the form, flow and workplan for the guidelines to support teachers in using OERs

CLT senior member, Mr Lee Chee Heong, represented Mr Chong Chee Keong, to present the findings of a UNESCO-funded research project, “OER Awareness among Teachers in Malaysia”. Mr Lee also presented the draft Research Framework and Survey Items of the proposed UNESCO-CLT regional survey on teachers’ awareness and use of OERs. 
Among the notable experts present were: Tan Sri Emeritus Prof Dr Gajaraj Dhanarajan (Chairman of Board of Governors, Wawasan Open University, Malaysia), Dr Savithri Singh (Creative Commons, India), Professor Dr Andrew Zhao Jianhua (Deputy Dean, School of Information Technology, South China Normal University) and Ms Stacey Hattensen (Director - Learning Partnerships, Education Services Australia (ESA), Australia).

CLT presentation during the Expert Meeting on Open Educational Resources, by Mr Lee Chee Heong.

Photograph with some participants of the Expert Meeting. From Left: Ms. Amcy Esteban (Master Teacher, Education Programme Supervisor, The Philippines), Dr Savithri Singh (Creative Commons, India), Dr Park Jong-Hwi, Dr Misako Ito, Dr Tan Lay Cheng (UNESCO Bangkok Programme Specialists) and Ms. Li Nihong

UTAR was invited to be a conference partner of the TAR UC International Conference on Teaching and Learning (TIC 2016).  The Centre for Learning and Teaching (CLT) thus represented UTAR in handling the necessary liaison with the TAR UC Organising Committee.  Among CLT’s important tasks was to draft the Welcome Message of the UTAR President for the TIC 2016. CLT member, Mr Paul Ang Ban Hock, was selected to chair one of the parallel sessions. 

CLT also, on behalf of UTAR, contributed two conference papers and presenters for the TIC 2016. Mr Paul Ang presented a paper on “Awareness of Safe and Responsible Use of ICT among students in a Malaysian University”, while Ms Winnie Er Pek Hoon represented another CLT presenter, Mr Chong Chee Keong, to present a paper on “Open Educational Resources (OER): A Malaysian Secondary School’s Perspective”.

CLT presentation during the TIC 2016, by Mr Paul Ang Ban Hock.

The Centre for Learning and Teaching (CLT) participated in three (3) UNESCO events in the month of October 2016: The World Teachers’ Day Forum held from Oct 5-6, the Expert Meeting on Facilitating Teachers’ Use of OER held on Oct 7 and the 18th UNESCO-APEID International Conference held from Oct 26-28, 2016.  All three events were in Bangkok, Thailand.  CLT is an official Resource Distribution and Training Centre (RDTC) of UNESCO Bangkok.
Following from the results of the Expert Meeting on OER held earlier, the Centre for Learning and Teaching (CLT) was once again invited to participate in a major event organised by UNESCO Bangkok, the 18th UNESCO-APEID International Conference and Concurrent Session on Open Educational Resources (OER), which was held from Oct 26-28, 2016, in Bangkok, Thailand. 
The theme of the 18th APEID International Conference was “In Pursuit of Quality Education: The Past, Present and Future”. Its objectives were to:

• increase knowledge on how quality is understood in education;
• showcase innovative approaches and practices that improve the quality of education;
• enhance understanding of the assessment, monitoring and evaluation of the quality of education;
• facilitate collaboration and networking to improve the quality of education.

The opening speeches were given by Dr Kim Gwang Jo, Director of UNESCO Bangkok and H.E. General Dapong Ratanasuwan, the Minister of Education, Thailand. The Raja Roy Singh Lecture was given by Professor Dr Kishore Mahbubani, the Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Singapore. The title of his lecture was “Can Asia be the Next Higher Education Superpower?”
There were four plenary sessions and five concurrent presentations held over the 3-day event.  Some notable plenary panelists were:  Prof Dr Manzoor Ahmed (Professor Emeritus, BRAC University, Bangladesh), Dr Dina Joana S. Ocampo (Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction, Department of Education, Philippines) and Dr Esther Ho (Director of HK Centre for International Assessment, The Chinese University of Hong Kong).
CLT Chairperson, Ms Winnie Er Pek Hoon, represented senior CLT member, Mr Chong Chee Keong, in presenting a UNESCO-funded research project, “Awareness of Open Educational Resources (OER): A Malaysian Case”, at the concurrent session titled “Open Educational Resources in Asia and the Pacific”.

Photograph with fellow presenters Mr Anthony Tam Kar Hung (ICT for Education Expert, UNESCO Myanmar) and Ms Stacey Hattensen (Director - Learning Partnerships, Education Services Australia (ESA), Australia) and Sessions Chair Ms Maria Tan Melizza (UNESCO Bangkok Programme Officer).

Photograph with Ms Lucy Allen (UNESCO intern, Institute of Education, University College London) and Prof Dr Manzoor Ahmed (Professor Emeritus, BRAC University, Bangladesh)

The Centre for Learning and Teaching is a Resource Distribution and Training Centre (RDTC) of UNESCO Bangkok. CLT attended the UNESCO Regional Seminar for RDTC 2016, from 23rd to 25th November 2016, in Bangkok, Thailand. The CLT delegation comprised Ms Wei Chooi Yi (Faculty of Business and Finance) and Ms Winnie Er Pek Hoon (CLT Chairperson).
 
The theme of the UNESCO Regional Seminar 2016 was “Sustainable Partnerships for Transformative Teaching”. Its objectives were to:

1.   provide the member TEIs with an avenue to actively exchange practical information (e.g. funding and partnership opportunities), perspectives and first-hand experiences on global partnership for ICT-integrated teacher education; 
2.   set up a research framework to evaluate the impact of the UNESCO educational resources and the corresponding trainings;
3.   introduce training modules for the new directories of free educational resources.

From UNESCO’s end, one concrete action towards strengthening the RDTC partnership is to support a cross country research in order to monitor and evaluate the impact of UNESCO educational resources and corresponding trainings. UTAR CLT is selected to spearhead this study throughout 2017.  During Session 4 of the Regional Seminar, CLT delegates Ms Wei Chooi Yi and Ms Winnie Er presented a draft research framework (comprising research questions, data collection tools and techniques, data sources, data analysis techniques and timeline) for carrying out this cross country impact study. The delegates were invited to discuss the framework and to participate in the study. The study report will work as an important reference document for Teacher-Educational Institutions (TEIs) worldwide on how they can effectively use free digital educational resources and deliver related trainings, as well as how partnership can facilitate the entire process to achieve desired outcomes.       

Ms Winnie Er, being the Head of the RDTC Research Working Group, was the Chair for Session 6, in which a few RDTCs presented on their activities in 2016. In the final session, two UNESCO repositories of the free educational resources were inaugurated: The “Directory of Free Educational Resources for Teachers: Science” and the “Directory of Free Educational Resources for Teachers: Classroom Productivity”.  UTAR CLT had provided consultancy service to develop the first repository, which is mapped against core curriculum standards for lower secondary science across the Asia-Pacific Region. It aims to provide teachers and teacher educators with a new collection of curated free (or open) digital science contents. The video on the RDTC Regional Seminar 2016 and all presentation slides can be viewed at:
http://www.unescobkk.org/education/ict/current-projects/rdtc/rdtc-regional-seminar-2016-thailand/

Group Photograph of the delegates of the UNESCO RDTC Regional Seminar 2016

CLT presentation on a draft research framework for carrying out a cross-country impact study on UNESCO resources and correspondent trainings, by Ms Wei and Ms Winnie Er.

Ms Winnie Er, the Head of the UNESCO RDTC Research Working Group, chairing Session 6, with presenters Prof Dr Andrew JianHua Zhao of China and Assistant Prof Dr NC Ojha of NCERT, India.

UTAR was invited by the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETaL), Universiti Teknologi Petronas, to send participants to its “Festival Inovasi Pengajaran Dan Pembelajaran”. UTAR Centre for Learning and Teaching thus represented UTAR by sending two participants, Dr Ngeow Yoke Meng and Ms Winnie Er Pek Hoon. Two winners of the Anugerah Akademik Negara (AAN) gave talks at the Festival, namely Dr Aishah Abu Bakar from the Ministry of Higher Education and Dr Zainal Ariffin Ahmad.

CLT participation in the "Festival Inovasi Pengajaran Dan Pembelajaran Di Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)"

The workshop and evaluations were conducted by a training and research team from the Center of Learning and Teaching (CLT) from 14 to 15 December 2016.  The Centre for Extension Education assisted in being the main organiser, providing support in supplying materials and issuing certificates of attendance.
The CLT team comprised two facilitators (Mr Lee Chee Heong and Ms Winnie Er Pek Hoon), two research supervisors (Dr Cheah Phaik Kin and Dr Priscilla Moses) and four research assistants.  The workshop was conducted in Melaka for the trainers of Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM) or the Malaysian Maritime Academy. This workshop was the first in a planned series of intervention workshops to be conducted as a follow up to Phase I of the Project on “Evaluating teaching delivery and identifying training needs”. Phase 1 was conducted from August to October 2015, and the Final Report of Phase 1 was prepared and submitted to ALAM in April 2016. From the Final Report of Phase 1, it was found that majority of the trainers required this workshop.   
The workshop aims to help participants to

• understand 21st Century Learning & Teaching,
• transit from teacher-centred to student-centred pedagogy;
• acquire skills in facilitation as one of the important learning needs for instructors; and
• acquire skills in facilitation in order to have positive impact on students’ learning.

A total of fourteen (14) ALAM trainers participated in the workshop. Mr Lee Chee Heong conducted the first part of the workshop on ‘21st Century Learning and Teaching’. A pre-test evaluation was conducted shortly before the workshop started. Each participant filled up a survey questionnaire. During the workshop, the participants were put to some activities designed to build up their understanding of 21st Century learning and teaching.  Ms Winnie Er conducted the second part of the workshop on Effective Facilitation. On the second day, the fourteen (14) participants were required to conduct Mock Facilitation sessions on individual basis. This was in order for them to practise what they learnt from the workshop the day before. At the end of the workshop, the participants were requested to fill up a post-test survey questionnaire. A full Final Report on the findings of the workshop would be presented to ALAM in March 2017.

CLT workshop on “An Effective Facilitator’s Secret Recipe”, conducted by Mr Lee Chee Heong at ALAM, Melaka.

Second part of CLT workshop, conducted by Ms Winnie Er

Group photo session of the CLT workshop on “An Effective Facilitator’s Secret Recipe”, with the participating trainers of ALAM.

Group photo session of the CLT training and research team for the workshop on “An Effective Facilitator’s Secret Recipe”, at ALAM, Melaka.