OUM & METEOR Executive Retreat 2008 - Day 1

Jul 30, 2008 posted by Richard Ng

The 3 days 2 nights retreat was held at Awana Genting. 45 Participants from among OUM and Meteor Staff have been selected to attend the training.



Prof. Mansor, Senior Vice President, graced the occassion

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Selvaraj chaired the 3-day retreat

Dr. Selvaraj started the day with the ice-breaking session with participants being grouped into 6 groups. It was a good exercise where we get to know other staff members.

Prof. Dr. Zoraini took the stand to deliver her presentation on Understanding Open and Distance Learning

My group members in Group 3 comprised of (from left) Aiman (LMS), Mualim (Meteor Doc), Puan Alia (TMU), Faezah (Finance), Chiam (FBM), Syahrul (Finance)

Group photo with Group Management Committee members

The afternoon session continued with Puan Faizah, Senior Group HR Manager. She presented with the company's vision and mission statements and core values and briefed participants on the key sucssess factors of OUM/Meteor.

Puan Faizah conducting her training session.

En. Repin, Meteor/OUM COO, took the opportunity to meet participants and brief them about OUM

Preparing for our next outdoor activity conducted by Mr. Puniamurthy (centre). On the left is Dr. Selvaraj.

The outdoor group activity was held at 5.45pm. Participants are required to cook potatoes using their own creative ways. Time allocated was 30 miniutes. By 6.30, everyone was back at the training room and continued with the next training session on "Working Culture and Attitude".

Mr. Murthy oontinued with the findings of the group outdoor activity.

We then break for dinner from 7.45pm untl 9pm. The training continued with another session entitled: "Quality and Accountability i the workplace." The session was conducted by Mr. Stephen Cornellius.

Stephen started the session with the quote from Zig Ziggler

According to Stephen, Training and Development "starts from the womb and end in a tomb." He then provided participants with a quote by Zig Ziggler as follows:

"You are what you are, you are where you are, by what goes into your mind"

He suggested the following:

"You can change what you are, you can change where you are, by changing what goes into your mind". We must be passsionate with job we do and have performance anxiety. He also quoted another good quote by Mother Theresa: "Few of us can do great thing but all of us can do small things with GREAT IMPACT."

Responding to emails in between training

The session ended at 11.00pm fuuuuh!!! We are all dead tired after a marathon training from 10.00am to 11.00pm without even have time for bath. What a long day.

Have you evaluated your Tutor this semester?

Every responsible learner at OUM should participate in helping OUM evaluate the tutors so that only good and responsible tutors are hired. The evaluation will also enable the respective deans and management team decide what will be the next course of action i.e. to rehire or to terminate the services of tutors or to come out with a program to improve the performance of these tutors.

The online evaluation is easy and will not take more than 3 minutes of your time.

Remember your contribution is important and valuable to you and to OUM. Here are the steps in evaluating a tutor:

Step: 1

Login to the LMS and scroll down to find the "Evaluate Tutor" button which is located at the bottom right hand corner.


Step: 2

Click the "Evaluate Tutor" button and you will be able to see the name(s) of your tutor(s) displayed. Simply click the "questionnaire" button or click the button as shown in the picture below.


Step: 3

Click the appropriate radio button that best describes what you perceive about your tutor. There are 24 questions to answer plus a box for you to provide any feedback that you have.


Step: 4

Click the "submit" button.


That's it. Your evaluation will be kept confidential.

Tertiary education for free - The Star

KUALA TERENGGANU: Jul 23, 2008


Some 15,000 primary schools teachers will now have the opportunity to further their studies to tertiary level without forking out a single sen while enjoying their full salaries.

Under the Primary School Teacher Graduation Programme, primary school teachers can also sign up for on-line courses offered by Education Institutions like the Open University Malaysia (OUM), starting from November this year. The programme will continue until 2012.

Prof. Dr. Mansor, Senior Vice President of OUM was briefing a group of teachers at Institut Perguruan Ipoh under the SMP program

Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said courses would be offered by Teacher Training Institutes nationwide, under the “study during school holiday” mode.

He said teachers could apply for the courses majoring in various specialities and could continue their studies up to four years without taking leave or resigning.

“The intake would be 3,000 teachers annually and these teachers could opt for institutions that are close to their homes,” he said after launching the 14th National Headmasters Convention at Islamic Civilisation Park here, yesterday.

Hishammuddin said the programme was mooted by the ministry to achieve the target of 50% graduates amongst the 140,000 primary school teachers in the country by the year 2010.

The move was aimed at improving the quality of teachers and he hoped headmasters would encourage their teachers to take up the courses.

“If this programme has a significant impact, the ministry will extend it to benefit more teachers and will also increase the funds (for full scholarships), accordingly,” he said.

He said those who intend to pursue their studies on-line could also apply to do so.

Hishammuddin said the teachers who have completed their courses would be awarded Bachelor Degrees in Teaching (Primary Level).

“We have received good response from teachers since the ministry advertised in major newspapers about a week ago,” he said.

On a separate issue, Hishammuddin said he would be holding meetings with several key personnel from his ministry tomorrow, to look into the plight of partially aided Chinese, Tamil and missionary schools in the country.

We unveil a blueprint on how to aid these schools, especially those in rural areas and estates,” he added.

All about ASAP and FYI and FYA - The Star

Jul 20, 2008 By CHRISTINE JALLEH

ONE day, a colleague turned to me and asked, “What’s FYI?”

“For your information.”

“What’s FYA?”

“For your action.”

“What’s WRT?”

“With reference to...”

Before the conversation dragged on any further, I quickly looked up a website on acronyms used in business communications and sent it to him via e-mail.

This conversation made me realise that the full meaning of many acronyms and abbreviations may not be immediately apparent for many people – students or working adults alike.

For starters, an acronym is a word created from combining the initial letters of each word. For example, For your action.

An abbreviation is a word shortened from its original form. For example, “Attn.” is an abbreviation of the word “attention” to convey the meaning “for the attention of”.

In general, a full stop is used for abbreviations where the last letter of the word and the abbreviation are not the same. For example, “Co.” (Company) needs a full stop but “Ltd” (Limited) does not. Acronyms do not need punctuation marks.

Below are some frequently used short forms in business communication like e-mails, faxes and letters:

a.k.a. – also known as

On Monday morning, Kay El, a.k.a. The Boss, walked in happily and greeted her assistant, Pee Jay.

approx. – approximately

Checking her e-mail, Pee Jay read, “Today is the boss’s birthday. Can everyone please slip off quietly to the cafeteria in approx. 15 minutes?”

ASAP – as soon as possible

Pee Jay opened up her daily planner and scribbled ASAP next to some of the urgent items on her to-do list.

Attn. – for the attention of

Leafing through the stack of mail to be sent out, Pee Jay asked her boss, “To whom should I address the cheque for the annual report?”

Her boss replied, “Just write ‘Attn: Ms. Chris-tine Jalleh’. She’ll know what to do with it.”

Bcc. – blind carbon copy or blind copy to. In this case, the carbon copy is sent to an e-mail recipient whose e-mail address is not visible to the cc or other bcc recipients.

“By the way, I think it’s better if you bcc me in your e-mail to Brown. We wouldn’t want him thinking that I’m supervising you for this project.”

Cc. – carbon copy, or copy to

“But I would like to be cc-ed on the e-mail to Mr Green as I have not yet introduced the both of you to each other.”

c/o – in care of, used when sending a document to A who will receive it on B’s behalf because B is away from the office.

“Boss, I think Christine is back in China this week. Would it be all right if I sent the cheque in care of her assistant? I’ll still write her name on top with c/o Ah Sis Tern below.”

COD – cash on delivery, where a person makes payment for an item purchase after it has been delivered.

“I’m also sending out the cheque for the set of Business English reference books we bought COD on eBay.”

e.g. – exempli gratia (for example)

Pee Jay replied to the e-mail, “Hi everyone. Please remember that the boss doesn’t like surprises, e.g. everyone shouting ‘Surprise!’ in the cafeteria.”

et al. – et alii (and others). Usually used to list co-authors after the lead author in a bibliography, this form is now popularly used to address the other people other than the recipient in e-mails.

She received a new e-mail, which read, “Dear Pee Jay et al., I was reminded that the boss does NOT like surprises ...”

etc. – et cetera (and so on OR and so forth)

This means that we will not be able to collectively surprise her by springing out of the cafeteria doors as we had planned, etc.

exc. – except

“Can everyone, exc. Pee Jay, be at the cafeteria in 5 minutes? We need to figure out a surprise without the surprise element. Thanks!”

FYI – for your information

Her boss’s voice brought the young assistant back to the present, “Pee Jay, I’m forwarding you all these e-mails FYI, okay?”

FYA – for your action

“Note that some of these e-mails are FYA ...”

i.e. – id est (that is)

After acknowledging her supervisor, Pee Jay decided to help her colleagues out and typed, “She’s in a good mood today, i.e. we won a new account and completed a major project.”

K – thousand, e.g. 450K = 450,000

“Just to give you an idea of her mood, it’s a 450K retainer for the first quarter ...”

PA – personal assistant

The immediate reply to Pee Jay’s e-mail read, “Thanks for the info, Pee Jay – you’re the best PA!”

p.a. – per annum (per year)

Pee Jay smiled and responded, “Haha, there is a reason why I’m paid RM65K p.a.”

p.p. - per pro (used when signing a document on someone’s behalf)

Looking back at her paperwork, Pee Jay signed some invoices on her boss’s behalf, inserting p.p. just before her signature.

Pto. – please turn over, used at the end of a page to indicate that there is a continuity to the text.

“By the way, please remember to type Pto. on the first page of the proposal you’re sending. The last time we sent it to him, he forgot to read the subsequent pages,” chimed in Kay El.

viz. – videlicet, namely

She got up and left a note on Pee Jay’s work station before leaving. Scribbled on it was, “Can I pass you my slice of birthday cake after I cut it? I really don’t need a lot of carbo, viz. refined flour, at my age.” The note ended with a wink.

Readers can go to http://www.acronymfinder.com/ to search for the meanings of over 4 million acronyms and abbreviations. This online dictionary also allows users to filter their search according to categories like information technology (IT), military and government, business and finance, science and medicine, organisations and schools, and slang and pop culture.

Technology: Not quite hello eBook - NST

By SUBASHINI SELVARATNAM

In Malaysia, the eBook phenomenon is more common among learning institutions.

The eBook phenomenon may have taken Japan by storm but its take-off rate in Malaysia is slow, writes SUBASHINI SELVARATNAM.

NATSUMI jumps onto the train in the nick of time, quickly flips open her mobile phone and begins to read a romance novel, which she had downloaded from the Internet using her mobile phone.

Natsumi is not alone. In 2006, Japanese eBook lovers like her have collectively contributed to increased sales — from US$14 million (RM49 million) to US$58 million — of mobile phone eBooks in the country.

Natsumi likes the eBook, which is an electronic book, because she does not have to carry the printed version wherever she goes.

eBooks are cheaper than printed books as there are no paper, printing and physical distribution costs involved, said Kee.

Just like a printed book, an eBook has numbered pages, table of contents and even pictures.

Natsumi can even turn a page at the click of a button. In addition, she can change the font size and read her novel in the dark as her mobile phone comes with a built-in backlight.

As Natsumi continues to read her novel, she uses the search and dictionary features often to look up a word. For her, reading novels and manga (comic books) for free is great, although she has to pay for selected novels. The fact that eBooks can be downloaded (via Internet) and read instantly on the mobile phone is a plus point as Natsumi is always on the move.

When she is at home, Natsumi also reads eBooks on her personal computer.

However, Natsumi’s best friend Sakura, who tried to read an eBook, gave up after a few attempts. She finds reading an eBook — which was invented by Michael Hart in 1971— on the mobile phone or PC hard on her eyes.

Sakura enjoys the smell, look and feel of a printed book. She despises the idea of lugging an eBook device — a portable gadget powered by battery and a display for viewing text and pictures — to read an eBook (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-book_device).

Moreover, Sakura is clueless when it comes to eBook formats, as some of the eBooks may not be compatible with the eBook reader, a software for reading eBooks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epub#IDPF).

Sakura feels it is like a videotape player when your favourite movie is only available on DVD.

As the above illustration shows, Natsumi and Sakura are two different personalities caught in the eBook phenomenon in Japan.

Stafford says the Monash University library tries to get eBook versions of printed books that are in high demand.


In Malaysia, the eBook trend is growing, albeit slowly. It is more common among learning institutions and one of them is Monash University, which boasts a full-fledged online library with 266,611 eBook titles.

Australian-based Monash University collection management librarian Robert Stafford says the library started buying eBooks in 2002, and is currently spending more than US$20,000 a month on them. In total, the library has probably spent more than US$1 million.

All staff and students at the Australian, Malaysian and South African Monash campuses have access to the eBook library via the Monash University website. This means they can read eBooks anywhere in the world.

Peterson reads eBooks for both leisure and academic purposes.

Even so, the eBook library is not open to the public as the publishers and vendors will not allow it. On the Australian campus there is access for walk-in members of the public, if they visit the library, which buys or subscribes to eBooks from a wide range of publishers.

“We try to get eBook versions of printed books that are in high demand but publishers are generally reluctant to allow this, particularly with textbooks,” says Stafford.

“But this is changing and we recently bought some medical textbooks for which we paid a lot of money. Most of the eBooks here are pre-1800,” he adds.

But Multimedia University Siti Hasmah Digital Library has terminated its eBook subscription — eBrary — due to poor use.

However, soft versions of students’ master’s and PhD theses are available through MyTO (Malaysian Theses Online) accessible to both students and lecturers.

In addition, there are about 31 online books available from Wiley InterScience for the subject of life sciences.

eBooks provide more up-to-date information compared to traditional books, says Juhana.

It is learnt that the National Library of Malaysia has temporarily discontinued its eBook library — also called eBrary — that provides access to eBooks on a variety of subjects “due to unforeseen circumstances”. The service is expected to resume in September.

Director general Raslin Abu Bakar says the library has been subscribing to eBrary since 2005.

The service was made available to 25 libraries in Malaysia through the Mylib portal.

The Ebrary is part of MyLib, a project under the proposed National Digital Library initiative. MyLib was launched in 2000 and is spearheaded by Multimedia Development Corporation and the National Library using infrastructure provided by Telekom Malaysia. MyLib serves as a one-stop centre and is a gateway to knowledge and information on the Internet.

As of this month, Mylib provides access to seven local databases and four foreign databases. The library also subscribes to NSTP emedia and LAWNET for National Library users.

As the information gateway, Mylib has opened its doors to people from all walks of life who want to gain access to digital information.

“Currently, we are working on upgrading the Mylib portal to enhance its services. The project is expected to be launched by end of this year,” says Raslin.

MPH Bookstores Sdn Bhd deputy chief operating officer Donald Kee says the take-off rate of eBooks among the general consumers in Malaysia is discouraging.

He says eBook devices are not easily found locally and are expensive. The two most popular eBook devices are from Sony and Amazon.com.

Currently, there are no resellers — companies that buy products in bulk from a manufacturer and sell them to consumers in Malaysia — for eBook devices because of compatibility and support issues.

“Of course you can read eBooks from your desktop and personal digital assistant via eBook reader but it is a totally different experience,” says Kee.

Kee says eBook devices (hardware) and eBook readers (software) are not perfect and need fine-tuning before eBooks can gain acceptance locally.

On top of that, the reading market in Malaysia is small compared to those in the United Kingdom and United States, which gives no motivation for eBook device manufacturers to market their products here.

Only a small population of tech savvy Malaysians are into such gadgets. Despite the poor acceptance of eBooks in Malaysia, MPH Bookstores is planning to sell books in eBook format.

With its electronic-commerce business model in place, it will not be difficult for the bookshop to venture into eBooks.

Apparently, academic eBooks are popular among users. This include text and reference books for schools and universities as well as leisure-based eBooks such as fiction, self-help and general business.

On whether eBooks are eligible for tax rebate (RM1,000) offered by the Malaysian government, Kee believes if the receipt has a good description of an eBook, the Inland Revenue Board will accept it.

“eBooks are cheaper than printed books as there are no paper, printing and physical distribution costs involved. Like digital music downloads, eBooks will only work if the price is cheaper than printed books,” says Kee.

The eBook is an interesting concept but it may take a while before Malaysians latch on to it.

No more cockroaches and silverfish

MOST people read eBooks for academic purposes while others read for leisure.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Faculty of Information Science and Technology Associate Professor Dr Juhana Salim reads eBooks on ICT and information science.

“eBooks provide more up-to-date information compared to the traditional publication process, which normally takes too long, and by the time a book gets published, the content is at least two years outdated,” says Juhana.

eBooks are very useful especially in her field — Internet facilities and information skills — as new information is being generated every day. This helps her to keep abreast of all the latest developments in technology.

Mesiniaga Berhad team leader and network consultant Mohandas Bhaskaran also reads eBooks for academic purposes.

He reads articles and documents that are mostly related to his field, which is technical in nature.

“I like reading eBooks because I do not need to carry printed books with me wherever I go. With an eBook, I can read it from my notebook, personal digital assistant and I can store it in my PC hard disk,” he said.

“Moreover, I do not have to worry about cockroaches and silverfish infesting my eBooks!”

Malaysian Business section editor Cynthia Ann Peterson reads eBooks for both leisure and academic purposes.

There are many online libraries which offer the classics in literature as eBooks.

She also looks up the background of articles she plans to write in technical books.

“The eBooks that I like are mostly classics such as 1984 and Keep the Aspidistra Flying. I usually refer to the references in Wikipedia for technical stuff,” she says.

“eBooks are free. They are easier to browse as you can read different samples, find out more information through the Internet and you generally have access to them for as long as you like.”

The downside of eBooks is that not everything is available for free. She is also not keen on staring at the computer screen for hours.

Peterson usually reads eBooks on a PC but she has a friend who downloads them to his PDA.

Partnerships: Subject Matter Experts in a first-of-its-kind venture - NST

Professor Tan Sri Anuwar Ali (left) presenting a memento to Nestlé S.A. executive vice-president, head of operations Jose Lopez (centre). Looking on is Nestlé (Malaysia) managing director Sullivan O'Carroll (right).

THE Executive Diploma in Manufacturing Management (EDMM) developed jointly by Nestlé (Malaysia) Bhd and Open University Malaysia (OUM) is the first of its kind in the local food manufacturing industry.

With the recent graduation of the first batch of 51 programme participants, these Nestlé production executives were promoted to first-line managers in line with the Nestlé on the Move initiative to empower employees at all levels by equipping them with the right competencies.

The design of the 20-month EDMM course was based on a detailed job analysis of first-line managers in Nestlé factories. Subject Matter Experts (SME) from Nestlé, the Institute of Professional Development at OUM, consultants and machinery suppliers conducted the programme.

SMEs from Nestlé and machinery suppliers focused on workplace competencies while OUM lecturers and consultants taught generic subjects and provided external perspectives.

Jeanne: Grow more vegetables - NST

Winner of the state-level Edible Landscape competition, Zalinda Hamzah, 45, (right) explaining her chilli-growing technique to Datin Paduka Seri Jeanne Abdullah, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Raja Salbiah Tengku Nujumuddin in her garden in Taman Rembau Utama, Rembau

Canselor Open University Malaysia, YABhg Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah menyeru orang ramai terutama suri rumah agar menanam sayur-sayuran sendiri bagi mengurangkan kos perbelanjaan harian terutama dalam keadaan ekonomi yang gawat. Kata beliau, usaha sebegini tidak memerlukan modal yang besar tetapi dapat memberikan manfaat yang banyak.

Selain dari itu, ianya juga dapat mencantikkan keadaan persekitaran halaman. Beliau juga menyarankan agar setiap rumah menanam sayur-sayuran yang berlainan dan kemudian mengongsikannya sesama jiran. Beliau berkata demikian semasa melancarkan Projek Bumi Hijau peringkat negeri di Taman Rembau.

Pusat Pembelajaran OUM Perak juga telah melancarkan rancangan Buku Hijau pada bulan lepas bagi menimbulkan kesedaran staf dan pelajarnya. Projek ini telah dilancarkan dengan rasminya oleh Prof. Ramli Baharoom, Pengurus Besar Perhubungan Korporat dan Komunikasi OUM.





Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah at the launch of the nine-day Malaysian International Landscape and Garden Festival (Laman 2008) in Perdana Lake Gardens, Kuala Lumpur, on Saturday. The PM called on Malaysians to cultivate their own edible gardens at home as a relaxing hobby which at the same time would supply them with nutritious vegetables and herbs (Source: The Star)

Postgraduate Students Registration at OUM

Open University Malaysia will be having its next Postgraduate students registration soon. The September 2008 intake is currently in progress. Application to the various masters and doctoral degree requires a minimum of a bachelor and master degree respectively. However, those who are above 35 and have a minimum STPM (A Level) or Diploma can apply for masters degree programmes via Open Entry where the applicant must prepare a portfolio and submit for approval.

Prof. Mansor, Senior Vice President, briefed OUM's new postgraduate students.

The postgraduate programmes are now available at OUM Main Campus in KL as well as other locations throughout the country. The Perak Regional Learning Centre in Ipoh currently offers the Master in Education and MBA programme, which is fully accredited by MQA and JPA. It also offers the PhD (Ed) and PhD (BA). Students will be provided with weekend tutorials and are also supported by Video Conference lecture and Online Learning.

Also attending the session were (from left) Prof. T. Mukherjee (Programme Coordinator for Science Faculty), Prof. Ir. Dr Rosli (Vice President), Puan Hjh Kamariah (Registrar) and Prof. Dr. Mansor (Senior Vice President)

During the registration day, successful applicants are invited to attend a programme briefing and meet up with their respective programme coordinators. The applicants will then pay up their fees and collect their learning materials. The applicants will then allow access to their Learning Management System portal so that they start to download their materials and also to access the over 50,000 collections of e-books and e-journals from OUM's digital library.

Some of the highlights of the last postgraduate students registration are shown below:

Prof. Rahmah, Centre for Graduate Studies (CGS) of OUM, took the stage to brief students about CGS and its support staffs.

Familiar faces of CGS support staff

Some of the top management staff of CGS (front row from left) Prof. Dr. Rahmah, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Santhi, Dr. Chung, Tuan Puan Fatma and Mdm Jaspal

Some of the new postgraduate students paying attention to the briefing

Visit by LYICT 2008 Participants to OUM Main Campus

The 4-day conference ended on July 11. Participants of the conference went on an excursion to visit several interesting places in KL and Putrajaya. They were also brought to visit OUM Main Campus. The participants were shown some of the state-of-art facilities such as the facilities at the Centre for Instructional Design and Technology and the Library.

Prof. Zoraini led the entourage to visit OUM's Library

The participants on briefed on OUM's Digital Library and how to use the OPAC system by one of OUM's Librarian

Prof. Sigrid Schuster from Germany was paying attention to a briefing

Richard Ng, who happened to be there at the Library, welcoming participants (from left)Peter (Austria), Steve (UK) and Michael (Germany)


Richard Ng was showing the pictures of the LYICT Conference posted in the OUM Perak's Blog

Kursus Intensif Bahasa Inggeris @ OUM Perak

Posted by: Pn. Shahrul Murniza Binti Mohamad

Assallamualaikum & Salam sejahtera,

Sempena cuti Semester ini PP Perak akan mengadakan kursus Intensif Bahasa Inggeris iaitu ' Report Writing & Editing In English'

Kursus akan dijalankan pada tarikh berikut :-

9 Ogos 2008 - Seminar 1

10 Ogos 2008 - Seminar 2

16 Ogos 2008 - Seminar 3

17 Ogos 2008 - Seminar 4

24 Ogos 2008 - Seminar 5

Pelajar yang berminat diminta mengisi borang beserta bayaran RM200 (wang pos / cek ) ke METEOR LEARNING SDN BHD sebelum 25 Julai 2008.

Kelas hanya akan dijalankan tertakluk kepada bilangan pelajar (25 orang)

Sekian, harap maklum

MyLMS Forum Analysis - Equatorial Hotel, Bangi

A workshop on MyLMS Forum analysis was held at the Equatorial Hotel, Bangi from May 9 to May 11. The workshop was organized by the Center for Quality Management and Research & Innovation (CQMRI)of Open University Malaysia. The objective of the workshop is to analyze the contents of online discussion forum of randomly selected tutors using the 34-item Community of Inquiry (COI) model questionnaire.

Prof. Rosli delivering his opening speech

The workshop was graced by Prof. Ir. Dr. Rosli Hamir, Vice President of Open University Malaysia. It was chaired by the Director of CQMRI, Prof. Dr. Zoraini Wati Abas. 60 particpants were invited to attend the workshop comprising lecturers and tutors from the various faculties. Richard Ng, Director of PP Perak was also invited to analyze the Management of Mathematics course.

Prof. Zoraini (left) chaired the 2-day workshop

Prof. Zoraini briefed Prof. Rosli on how the analysis was being carried out.

Each participant was given a few sets of online forum content of randomly selected tutors to analyze using the COI questionnaire based on a 5-point Likert scale to obtain the mean score of three domains - social presence, teaching presence and cognitive presence. The participants were then divided into groups based on the each faculty and a group leader was selected to present his/her findings.

Richard Ng (left) and Zitty (on his left), a tutor from Selangor, teamed up to analyze the forum content of tutors of Management Mathematics

Also among the attendees was Prof. Abtar Kaur

Participants were busy with their analysis


Some of the supporting staffs from CQMRI were busy ensuring a smooth workshop

Richard Ng has successfully presented a paper entitled "Online Discussion Forum: What tutors and learners do and how they do it" at the LYICT 2008 Conference at Saujana Kuala Lumpur Hotel on July 7, 2008. His paper was a result of the analysis on Management Mathematics course and a comparison was made between the mean score of tis course and four other courses. The full paper can be accessed in the Tutor Connexxion issue 17.

Richard Ng presenting his paper during the AGORA session at the LYICT 2008 conference.

10 Tips Untuk Menghadapi Peperiksaan Semester Mei 2008

Peperiksaan semester Mei 2008 Open University Malaysia akan bermula pada 14 Julai hingga 3 Ogos 2008. Bagi pihak OUM Perak saya ucapkan selamat maju jaya dalam menghadapi peperiksaan. Kami di PP Perak sentiasa mendoakan semoga anda semua akan mendapat keputusan yang cemerlang.

Sebagai panduan, berikut adalah 10 Tips Untuk Menghadapi Peperiksaan Mei 2008:

1. Pastikan tarikh dan tempat peperiksaan anda
2. Sila cetak slip menduduki peperiksaan dan bawa ke dewan peperiksaan
3. Pastikan anda juga membawa bersama anda kad matrik atau kad pengenalan
4. Pastikan anda mempunyai rihat yang cukup sehari sebelum peperiksaan
5. Buat ulangkaji akan isi-isi penting yang dapat membantu anda
6. Pada hari peperiksaan, pastikan anda hadir 30 minit sebelum peperiksaan
7. Semak senarai nama anda dan dapatkan nombor tempat duduk anda
8. Semasa dalam dewan, tenangkan fikiran anda, dan dengar taklimat peperiksaan dengan teliti sebelum mula
9. Apabila peperiksaan bermula, semak kertas soalan dan baca arahan menjawab soalan dengan teliti
10. Catatkan rangka jawapan anda terlebih dahulu sebelum anda menjawab soalan

Pastikan anda tidak membawa perkara berikut ke dalam dewan peperiksaan:

a. Nota dan segala bahan bacaan
b. Telefon bimbit
c. Kotak pensel, kotak kalkulator, kotak cermin mata dan beg tangan
d. Pastikan tapak tangan anda tidak ada sebarang tulisan


Anda diingatkan supaya jangan meniru dalam peperiksaan kerana meniru adalah satu kesalahan besar yang tidak dapat dimaafkan oleh Open University Malaysia.


Selamat Maju Jaya. Semoga sukses.