Roselainy Abdul Rahman

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, 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 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 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 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.

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 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 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...

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...

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 ...

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...

STEM education at UTM uses the OBE model in its effort to ensure its students are qualified and able to compete in a climate of global development and technological advancement. In line with this, the authors embarked in transforming their teaching and learning approaches to meet these demands. In this chapter, they share some of their experiences in coping with the challenges of changing teaching practices to accommodate OBE. In redesigning the Engineering Mathematics course, the authors started by looking at meaningful mathematical learning and identifying skills that could be integrated with teaching. They used this information in helping to determine the desired learning outcomes. Then, they examined the relationship between the content, assessment, and teaching and learning approaches. For successful mathematical learning, they believed that students should participate actively in the knowledge construction, develop flexible thinking skills, be able to communicate their knowled...

ABSTRACT Experience has shown that students face some difficulties in the learning of Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Programming Technique and Micro controller courses which are the core technical courses taught in MARA High Skill College Penang (KKTM), Malaysia. As a preliminary study, it was considered pertinent to identify the learning approaches that students use and which characteristics will contribute to learning success and the achievement of learning outcomes. Thus, this study will first focus on Student Approach to Learning (SAL). SAL can be described as how students approach their learning tasks during the process of study while considering their own actual motivation, how they learn the topics and how they engage in the learning process in real college context. Two learning approaches will be examined, i.e., either surface or deep learning approaches. The samples will be taken from first and second year students in Industrial Mechatronics Engineering Technology Program. Questionnaire is the main instrument used that will focus on students' learning approaches. Interviews were conducted to gather more qualitative data which will support the results from the survey. The results from this study will inform and uncover the relationship among students' approaches to learning and study success. This finding will be useful to determine students' engagement in learning, and thus will help to inform on how to support and foster students use of deep learning approach and improve their self-regulation in learning.

Buku ini menghuraikan kesalahan lazim pelajar dan cadangan strategi pemulihan dalam beberapa tajuk matematik sekolah menengah di Malaysia. Kesalahan lazim tersebut telah dikelas berdasarkan kesalahan dalam aspek konsep, simbol, penafsiran dan penyelesaian masalah. Strategi pemulihan yang dikemukakan memfokus kepada pembinaan konsep dan penyelesaian masalah. Antara pendekatan yang digunakan ialah memperkenalkan peranan questions and prompts dan contoh generik. Questions and prompts (soalan dan arahan tertentu) ialah cara menyoal pelajar untuk menarik perhatian mereka kepada pemahaman idea matematik dan pembinaan kemahiran yang diperlukan bagi topik yang dibincangkan. Contoh generik ialah contoh yang berstruktur supaya konsep atau kemahiran yang menjadi tumpuan dalam pengajaran menjadi lebih jelas. Setiap subtopik matematik yang dipilih dipersembah berdasarkan aspek Pengetahuan Sedia Ada, Kesalahan Lazim, Pengayaan Ilmu, Cadangan Strategi Pemulihan, Contoh Panduan Pengajaran, Bahan Bantu Mengajar, dan Contoh Penyelesaian Lengkap Soalan SPM. Buku ini sesuai untuk kegunaan guru matematik, guru pelatih dan tenaga pengajar yang berminat dalam pendidikan matematik.

Abdul Rahman, Roselainy and Mohammad Yusof, Yudariah (2007) Translating learning theories into practice in enhancing students mathematical learning at university. In: Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Research and Education on Mathematics (ICREM3), 2007, Kuala Lumpur. ... Full text not available from this repository. ... Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Institutional Repository is powered by EPrints 3 which is developed by the School of Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton. More information and software ...

Abdul Rahman, Roselainy and Mohd Yusof, Yudariah and Baharun, Sabariah (2007) Enhancing thinking through active learning in engineering mathematics. In: 2nd Regional Conference on Engineering Education (RCEE 2007), 2007, Johor Bahru. ... Full text not available from this repository. ... Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Institutional Repository is powered by EPrints 3 which is developed by the School of Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton. More information and software credits.

Baharun, Sabariah and Mohd. Yusof, Yudariah and Abdul Rahman, Roselainy (2007) Enhancing engineering students' mathematical competency through mathematical thinking. In: Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Research and Education on Mathematics (ICREM3), 2007, Kuala Lumpur. ... Full text not available from this repository. ... Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Institutional Repository is powered by EPrints 3 which is developed by the School of Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton. More information ...

Through our experience in teaching mathematics to engineering undergraduates, we found that students had numerous difficulties with the mathematics learned. Although our students have demonstrated the ability to answer standard or routine questions, there were still some inconsistencies between their ability to answer questions and their understanding of the concepts and the mathematical procedures they were using. In previous work, we had highlighted the importance of mathematical thinking and adopted suitable approaches in teaching and learning of engineering mathematics. However, innovative strategies were deemed necessary to assist students in their learning. In this paper, we will share how we transform our teaching practice to facilitate the development of students’ ability in understanding the various mathematical concepts, in reconstructing them as parts of a whole through cooperative learning. The approach allows them to develop efficient strategies in constructing new know...