Awards
Award: GOLD MEDAL (2023)
Competition: PRE- UNIVERSITY MATRICULATION INNOVATION COMPETITION 2023 (UPM)
Team members: Amirul Mohamad Khairi bin Mannan (Leader), Dr. Norhaslina binti Kamarulzaman, Dr. Norli Anida binti Abdullah, Dr. Ahmad Zaki bin Mohamad Amin
Title: Innovative Programming Project Lead to Competition Program (IPAC) to develop Reserach Inquiry, Creativity and Critical Thinking among Pre-University Students
Abstract: The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has outlined the needs to adapt our educational system that equipped our students with 21st century skills. To achieve this educator, need to be creative in teaching and assessing students. In this study, we proposed an Innovative Programming Project led to Competition Program (IPAC) as a new method to assess student's understanding and other skills. The IPAC process requires students to identify a real-life problem, formulating solutions and proposing innovative solutions. A rubric is designed to assess the students. Motivated students are then encouraged to develop a prototype and participate in competition which is not compulsory. There were about 400 pre-university students involved in this project. We used this method in the topic of problem-solving techniques in programming subjects. The techniques involved 4 stages: Problem Analysis Chart, Input Processing Output Chart, Flowchart & Pseudocode. Our study showed that the students have increased their skills in research & inquiry, creativity, and critical thinking. Furthermore, a significant number of students have continued to participate in the competition which is in line with the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education) to create an innovation ecosystem. In summary, this innovative assessment can help to develop student's 21st century skills, increase student's participation in competition and can be applied to other subjects too.
Keywords: Assessment, Research & Inquiry, Programming, Competition, Innovation Ecosystems
Award: BRONZE (2023)
Competition: Innovation & Technology Exhibition, University Malaya Research Carnival (UM)
Team members: Amirul Mohamad Khairi bin Mannan (Leader), Dr. Ahmad Zaki bin Mohamad Amin, Fakhrulrozi bin Hussain, Jedzry Fadzlin bin Jalaluddin, Mohd Yahya bin Ahmad
Title: Innovative Mobile Application for Mentor Mentee Program (MyAdvisor) to Monitor Academic performance, Co-Curricular Activities and Well-being among Pre-University Students
Abstract: Student supervision is very important to monitor students’ progress in their study, co-curricular activities, and well-being. Monitoring should be done periodically to ensure the students are progressing well and immediate interventions can be done if any matters arise. The system currently being implemented at the Center for Foundation Studies in Sciences Universiti Malaya is where students are formed into a small group of 20 and supervised by one academician. There are three key areas that are monitored, namely academic performance, co-curricular activities, and welfare of the students. The students get to meet the supervisor in a group on a weekly basis during their tutorial class. This gives the students opportunities to share any of their problems on a weekly basis. Besides that, students can have a personal session based on request. However, there are three limitations on this conventional approach that we would like to address. First, advisors have direct access only to students' continuous progress on the subject that he or she teaches only. This happened as each division i.e., mathematics, physics, biology, and chemistry are using a different platform and only be shared among advisors upon request. Secondly, co-curricular activities are very important for the students as it is one of the compulsory components to be considered for their first-degree application. Currently the advisor has no direct access to the student’s merit system unless it is requested or based on students’ information. Thirdly, students' well -being is important throughout their studies. However, it requires a close interaction with students to understand their problems such as financial, mental or their study. Unless the students inform the advisor, it is almost difficult to identify any problem. To solve this, we would like to propose our innovative solution, MyAdvisor. MyAdvisor is a cross-platform application developed to provide a platform for students and their academic advisor to effectively engage.
Keywords: Student supervision, mobile tracking
Award: SILVER MEDAL (2022)
Competition: INTER PRE-UNIVERSITY/ MATRICULATION INNOVATION COMPETITION (PIITRAM) 2022
Team members: Amirul Mohamad Khairi Mannan, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hutkemri Zulnaidi, Dr. Norhaslina Kamarulzaman, Dr. Faridah Bee Mohamed Ibrahim
Title: Innovative Approach in Teaching & Learning Mathematics Online using GOSJA to Improve Collaboration, Accessibility and Ease of Use Among Pre-University Students
Abstract: The restriction to close physical interaction in the classroom due to uncertainty of Covid-19 virus, has further increased our dependence on online teaching and learning. However, there are challenges such as device compatibility issues, applications preferences, level of digital competency, difficulty to use and the size of participants. Teaching and learning mathematics for a small size group of students (10 to 20) online requires a platform which is readily available, accessible to use for all levels of students, and has a real-time collaboration feature for discussion. In this study, we have used GOSJA, a combination of online applications; Google Documents, Snipping Tools and Jamboard in teaching and learning mathematics online for 3 groups of pre-university students in Malaysia with the size of 10 to 15 students each. First, the students need to share their answers through the Google Document prepared by the instructor. This can be done using the Snipping Tools which is readily available in the Windows package. Then, the Jamboard is used by the instructor to scribble on the students' answers along with the integrated device microphone to discuss the answers. We used a descriptive method and our survey results show that our innovative approach in using GOSJA provides three main advantages. First, it is accessible at any time and compatible with various devices such as smartphone, tablet, desktop and laptop, and operating systems such as Windows, Android, and Apple. Secondly, it is easy to share answers and updates in real-time. Lastly, the students and instructors are able to discuss the problems together and peer reviews can be conducted to increase the student’s confidence. GOSJA teaching mathematics online techniques does not require any extra cost since Google Documents, Jamboard and Snipping Tools are freely available. Our study provides an innovative approach for students and instructors in improving their teaching and learning mathematics online.
Keywords: Mathematics education, Google Documents, online teaching and learning
Award: GOLD MEDAL (2021)
Competition: PRE- UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA INNOVATION COMPETITION 2021
Team members: Amirul Mohamad Khairi Mannan, Dr. Hutkemri Zulnaidi, Dr. Faridah Ibrahim
Title: An Innovative ViSeL Approach to Overcome Visual, Speech and Listening Barriers for Educators and Online Students in Hybrid Teaching & Learning
Abstract:The uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the normal teaching & learning (T&L) in the classroom. Hence, the class needs to be conducted in hybrid mode of face to face (for healthy students) and online (for quarantined students). In this research, we will present an innovative ViSeL (Visual, Speech and Listening) approach on how to effectively overcome visual, speech and listening barriers, among educators and online students in the hybrid T&L for mathematics lesson which requires step by step explanation. In a normal setting, a computer will be set up at a static position, usually at the front table, for the online students. The first challenge is to share the view of the classroom’s whiteboard with a length approximately 6 meters. However, the camera is only limited to a certain range of view. In most cases it will not cover the whole whiteboard. To overcome this, an additional webcam is needed to cover the remaining areas. The next challenge is when the educator moves away from the computer. The computer’s microphone will only be able to capture a low volume of the educator’s voice and the educator will also have the difficulty to hear the online students’ voice. Similarly, the online students will also receive a low volume of speech from the educator and the rest of the students in the classroom. To overcome this, a Bluetooth earphone with a microphone can be used. The selection of suitable devices is important to ensure that both educators and online students in hybrid T&L receive the same level of visual, speech and listening ability. The additional devices suggested are a webcam and Bluetooth earphone with microphone which can be purchased at a minimal cost. Further research can be done on the application at various levels of study in the future.
Keywords: hybrid teaching and learning, effective hybrid teaching, low-cost online teaching, online class, mathematics lesson
Links: slides, poster, certificate
Award: SILVER MEDAL, BEST POSTER (2021)
Competition: PRE- UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA INNOVATION COMPETITION 2021
Team members: Amirul Mohamad Khairi Mannan, Dr. Hutkemri Zulnaidi, Dr. Faridah Ibrahim
Title: A Low-Cost Approach to Increase Students Engagement and Understanding in Online Teaching & Learning using MS Teams with an A4 Paper Sized Whiteboard
Abstract: The current covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we teach and learn. Both educators and students must adapt to the on and off switch between the face-to-face and online learning. The challenge in teaching mathematics requires the educators to show step-by-step solutions and must be visualized for students’ better understanding. In this research we have elaborated how we can achieve a more effective students’ engagement and understanding in mathematics during online learning at a very low cost. This innovative online teaching and learning (T&L) is a hybrid of educational technology and traditional teaching method. First, we used Microsoft Teams to create class, forms, communicate and recording. We turned on the recording and asked the students to communicate through the chat box, voice, and video. Next, we asked the students to complete a feedback regarding the tutorial questions. Then, a document is prepared for the students to share their answers. Each student is assigned at least one tutorial question and they must upload their answer. These steps ensure that all the students participate during the class. The second part is continued with discussion based on the feedback form received from the students and the answers shared by them. To explain effectively, we used an A4 paper sized physical whiteboard (ASW) to write and share the step-by-step solution. Most institutions would provide desktop and Learning Management System (LMS) systems for their educators. The selection of the correct features in the LMS and when to use are important for effective teaching. Furthermore, online T&L requires additional tools to substitute the whiteboard. Although there are many options such as using touch screen devices and drawing tablets, these devices are costly compared to a simple A4 paper sized whiteboard and whiteboard markers. Apart from that, this method is simple, requires no new skills but accurate.
Keywords: Low cost online teaching and learning, online whiteboard
Links: slides, poster, certificate, best poster
Award: GOLD PRIZE (2018)
Competition: INTERNATIONAL TEACHING AID COMPETITION 2018 – iTAC 2018
Team members: AMIRUL MOHAMAD KHAIRI BIN MANNAN, DR. HUTKEMRI ZULNAIDI, JEDZRY FADZLIN BIN JALALUDDIN, RAIHAN BINTI ZAINUDIN, DR. SUZIELEEZ SYRENE ABDUL RAHIM, WAN NUR ATIKAH BINTI WAN MOHD ADNAN
Title: Improving Pre-University Students Understanding in Probability using KaDaGeo, a Hybrid Teaching Method.
Abstract: In this new age of teaching, innovative teaching is a necessity for all teachers in order to meet the educational needs of the new generations. Innovative teaching is a key factor influencing the understanding of the students. Students have problems in understanding the probability concepts. They usually understand how to solve the procedures. Yet, when students are given a problem-based scenario, they would have difficulties to determine the type of events involved to solve the problem. The probability concepts that involved are simple, composite, dependent, independent, mutually exclusive, non-mutually exclusive, exhaustive, non-exhaustive and conditional events. The current teaching method explained each concept in separate sections. Apart from that, different scenarios of examples have been given to explain each topic. These caused confusion among students. Therefore, to enhance the understanding of the students, we propose a new teaching method called KaDaGeo in teaching probability. The KaDaGeo is a combination of online tool (Kahoot), traditional game (Darts) and dynamic geometry software (GeoGebra). Each probability concept had been explained by referring the same case scenario example, using the KaDaGeo. The result showed that the understanding of the students in probability concepts was increased. The number of students involved in this case study was 49 students of Foundation Studies in Agriculture Science, the University Putra Malaysia, session 2017/2018. From this case study, we can conclude that students could achieve a higher understanding when they are able to connect all the concepts using the same scenario example. This teaching method could help the teacher as well in delivering the probability concept.
Keywords: teaching probability, innovative teaching, Kahoot, Dart, GeoGebra