What's hot @ OUM Perak?

Realize any difference when you attend your first tutorial yesterday at OUM Perak (Jln Lim Bo Seng)? No? Not sure? Not aware? Notice how your tutors are guiding you? Ah ha yes.

Testing one of the LCD projectors to ensure it works

We are pleased to let you know that all our lecture rooms have been equipped with brand new LCD projectors with 2700 ANSI lumen mounted on the ceiling. Gone are the days where tutors read from the manual without any teaching aid.

One of the tutorial classes in progress yesterday

The LCD projectors have been positioned in such a way that students can see the slides presented clearly and of course they are brighter now even without having to switch off the lights.

Workers are installing the LCD projectors round the clock last Thursday

"I would like to thank the management especially Prof. Rosli, Vice President of OUM, for his support in granting us immediate approval to install these projectors", said Richard Ng, Director of OUM Perak. He was also pleased that the vendor has done a good job by installing the projectors within 2 days in time for the first tutorial. Their workers have been working round the clock to ensure that our students and tutors are not deprived of such privileges.

Prof. Ir. Dr. Rosli, Vice Preseident of Open University Malaysia

According to Richard, the Vice President has also approved his proposal to change all the air-condition units and vendors have been invited to submit their quotations last week. Installation work will commence in October. He advised students to bear some patience as the installation of the new air-cond units is expected to be completed within 3 weeks.

In June last year, OUM Perak has upgraded all its 50 units of computers in the computer labs with LCD monitor, better processor and increased memory size. OUM Perak will continue to improve its facilities to ensure that our students and tutors are given the best facilities.

Using Video to Guide BBMP1103 students

OUM Perak has pioneered another innovative approach in guiding OUM students in learning Mathematics using video lecture. The project is the brainchild of Richard Ng, Director of OUM Perak, who is also a tutor for the BBMP 1103 Management Mathematics course for the past 3 years. A series of mini lecture based on certain basic fundamental areas taken from the module developed by Open University Malaysia (OUM)were video taped and then uploaded onto YouTube.

These videos were then organized using a blog set up for the purpose of providing supplemental materials for students. The videos are good especially for weak students as it can be viewed over and over again. The video is then followed by a set of guided questions posted in the student's online forum. The students are asked to answer these questions after viewing the videos. The blog can be viewed through the following URL --> http://bbmp-1103.blogspot.com

Most popular video watched for over 100 times - the video on Inverse Matrix

This project is very important as its success will lead to improvement of teaching pedagogy and also spearhead OUM's mobile learning. Students who have iPod can donwload these videos and have them played at their own space and time. The approach will also enhanced students' grasp in the mathematics course which has been regarded as one of the difficult courses.

More than 95% of OUM students are working adults and most of these students have left schools for more than 5 years. Coming back to school after so many years to take up the math course is a big challenge for these students. Based on observations carried out over the last one year, many students have absented themselves from the final exam. Those who sat for the final exam often left in less than an hour after the exam has started.

The new approach will be able to improve on the students attendance in the exam as their confidence will be increased The students' final exam score can also be improved with proper guidance from the tutors and also with the help of these videos.

Initial feedbacks from students who have started using this new approach have been very encouraging. Here are some of their comments:

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Viewed yesterday & was impressed! Great job! You're really helpful to us!

It's amazing how instructions are so much clearer when we see & hear them, instead of just reading from the module.

Jessica Choong Wai Theng

Now I can answer the assg. Q2 after watching your video, It's not easy to complete the answer but your video very helpful and understood.

Anuar Bin Mohamad Zain

Thanks Richard for providing such imformative lessons in video display

Alex Chan Chin Chee

Have downded but could play the video. these way it help us alot to understand the subject. Great job thanx for your hard work appreciated.

Vimala /P Sivapragasam

Although we have to study text book, watch video, answer question, pratise exercises from text book, can't breath sometimes.... but I feel so satisfy, this is a real meaning of learning...You are great sir...

Thank you very much

Choo Swee Peng

Your effort is definetely a great help for us. But it is also a big challenge for us as to keep up with your active momentum. Indeed you are really a proactive tutor who keeps us awake almost all the time.

Shamini Sally

Wow, Sir, what a good video, u r just like our Angel.

Tang Hui Sim

I really appreciate ur iniative in uploading the Videos Lecture. It helps a lot. I'm able to understand more detail about the Properties of Numbers. Thank You so much..

Azfazeida Binti Arshad

Interactive and Lively Math Workshop

Sept 6, 2008

OUM Perak once again rise to the occasion to organize yet another workshop for the benefits of its students. The Mathematics workshop held from 12 noon till 4.30pm was attended by 25 students and 3 tutors; Puan Siti, Mr. Lam and Mr. Vincent. The workshop was a success taking into consideration the very short notice issued to students. Student from as far as Bagan Serai turned up for the workshop. This is the second time OUM Perak is conducting such workshop. The last workshop was held last year witnessed by Prof. Dr. Abtar Kaur.

Participants were busy having group discussion

The workshop was facilitated by Richard Ng, Director of OUM Perak, who also acts as a tutor for Management Math subjects for undergraduate students. The workshop is part of a research fully funded by Open University Malaysia to assist students in increasing their readiness as well as to improve on their performance.

Cikgu Jamal representing Group B to present their solution

Group A led by Halimah (white T'Shirt) was seen rushing for their presentation

The workshop was divided into three sections where participants are taught on how to handle problems related to numbers and algebra. The participants were also shown hands-on on how to use the Equation Editor Software to type mathematical symbols useful for them to post questions or answer questions posted in the online forum.

Alex Chan, representing Group D, is presenting the group's answer

At the end of session, participants were divided into 5 groups and each group is given a math problem to solve and then presented to the rest for comment.

Participants were busy having discussion

For those who have missed out the workshop today, they can view the video on how to use the Equation Editor posted on another blog: http://bbmp-1103.blogspot.com

Comment from Participants:
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Thank you very much for a very informative workshop today. It was definitely a great help for us to learn Mathematics in an effective way. Thank you sir.

SHAMINI SALLY A/P ARUMUGAM


Tahniah Dr. for the Maths 'clinic'/ bengkel .
Now....I realise , I love Maths more than I can say.

JAMALUDIN BIN ASAARI

Math Preparatory Workshop @ OUM Perak

OUM Perak is organizing a workshop for students who will be taking the SBMA 1103 (Preparatory Math) and BBMP1103 (Mgmt Math) in the Sept 2008 semester. The details are as shown above.

This was the workshop conducted in the previous semester

The workshop will be conducted in an interactive mode when participants will work out some math problems through group discussions and then get it presented and shared with other students.

The workshop will be facilitated by Richard Ng, Director of OUM Perak who has taught Math for over 20 years. All students especially those who are weak and have no basic foundation in Math should attend this workshop.

Participants will be taught on Math problems involving numbers and algebra to sharpen their method of solving mathematical problems. The workshop will show the participants on how to use the Equation Editor software and how to post questions and answer questions posted in the Online Forum.

This workshop is part of a research fully funded by Open University Malaysia to help students improve their math.

For reservation of seats, kindly contact Puan Ros/Puan Murni at 2546006

Tutors Training @ OUM Perak

August 31, 2008

A training for our tutors was held yesterday at OUM Perak as part of a nation wide training for all OUM tutors. The objective of the training is to equip the tutors for the coming Sept 2008 semester with the latest information and updates about OUM and also to remind tutors about their roles and responsibilities.

Part of the tutors who attended the training

The training program involved a total of 4,000 tutors at a cost RM140,000. The training was conducted in two phases; the first phase involved the training of Lead Tutors in seven locations who in turn will train the rest of the tutors. With this training, OUM hopes to produce effective tutors who are responsible, caring and understand the needs of their students.

Tutors sitting for their test after the training

The training at OUM Perak yesterday was attended by 77 tutors. Training was conducted by Lead Tutor Mr. Koay and Director of OUM Perak, Richard Ng. The training began at 2.00pm. The training emphasized on the roles of tutors and their responsibilities, understanding ODL learners and their problems, importance of upholding integrity and prosfessionalism, punctuality in marking assignment and keying of marks into the Online Mark Entry System (OMES) and providing timely response to students posting in the myLMS.

Tutors having a good laugh after the results of the test were announced

Director of OUM Perak, Richard Ng, reminded tutors that they are perceived as front liners by students when these students have problems. They should assist students in whatever ways they can and if need be, provide counseling to help these students. He also pointed out that most of the complaints he received from students are concerned with student's unhappiness with inactive tutors in the online discussion forum, bias marking for OLP and Assignment.

Richard Ng, Director of OUM Perak, reminding tutors to be professional in discharging their duties and upholding their integrity

At the end of the training, the tutors were given a test to gauge their competency level. Those who fail the test will not be re-considered for future engagement with OUM. The training ends at 5.30pm.

Merdeka Lunch for OUM Perak's Staff

August 31, 2008 Posted by Richard Ng

At 1.00pm, all the staff of OUM Perak gathered at Impiana Casuarina Hotel, Ipoh for the Merdeka Lunch. No, it was not meant to celebrate Merdeka but a lunch sponsored by Lions Club of Perak Silver State for the effort taken by OUM Perak in assisting and supporting the club in various community projects especially the SightFirst Project to raise fund for the poor and senior citizen to undergo cataract operations.

This is the team, "Our" team that holds the fort at OUM Perak

Most of the staff has just got back from the Kledang Hill Merdeka Walk held from 6.30am to 10am. So obviously everyone was tired, what more with another hectic day where the Tutor's Training has been scheduled in the afternoon. Yet, the spirit of togetherness that brings the staff for such an occasion is important. It was not first time we group together for lunch. At OUM Perak, teamwork is key where everyone supports each other to hold the fort together to provide the best services to all or students and tutors.

Women's power (seated from left) Pn. Siti, Cik Erna, Pn. Zura. (Standing from left) Pn. Ros and Pn. Murni

Hope, we can celebrate many more of such occasion to cultivate sense of belonging to the organization.

Sambutan Merdeka di Bukit Kledang, Menglembu Ipoh

30 Ogos 2008

Inilah Bukit Kledang yang kami daki pagi tadi. Kelihatan awan tebal berhampiran dengan puncak bukit.

Seawal jam 6.30 pagi tetamu khas kita iaitu Sdra Alex Chan Chin Chin, bekas ADUN Simpang Pulai telah tiba dengan penuh semangat. Kami berkumpul di kaki bukit Kledang ini sehingga jam 7.15pagi sebelum memulakan pendakian ke aras 3,000 kaki.

Kami berkumpul di kaki bukit sementara menantikan semua peserta tiba

Pelajar OUM Shah Alam, Dillon, juga turut serta dalam pendakian merdeka ini

Pasukan pendakian ini disertai oleh seramai 25 orang staf OUM Perak, Pelajar-pelajar OUM termasuk seorang pelajar OUM Shah Alam yang turut serta iaitu Sdra Dillon.

Sebahagian dari peserta yang telah berjaya sampai ke puncak bukit

Sister Lim, pelajar BNS OUM Perak dengan tongkatnya juga berjaya mendaki bukit ini hingga ke puncaknya. Syabas Sister Lim.

Setiap peserta telah diberikan satu bendera untuk dikibarkan semasa pendakian. Sepanjang pendakian kami turut mengedarkan bendera pada orang ramai yang ada di situ. Sepanjang perjalanan kami bertemu dengan ratusan pengunjung yang sentiasa mendaki bukit ini bagi tujuan senaman dan kecerdasan diri.

Kelihatan di gambar kabus yang agak tebal di taman sebelum bermulanya sesi nyanyian lagu patriotik

Sdra Alex Chan (dua dari kiri) turut serta menyanyikan lagu patriotik

Pengarah PP Perak Richard Ng sedang menyampaikan cenderahati kepada tetamu khas kita iaitu Sdra Alex Chan

Video Ucapan Sdra Alex Chan

Participants singing the Jalur Gemilang Song


Video on Kerana Mu Malaysia

Video Tanggal 31

Video Laungan Merdeka

Cuaca pagi ini agak baik. Kabus yang tebal menyejukkan suasana pagi ini. Pada jam 8.20pagi kami pun tiba di sebuah taman yang terletak di puncak bukit ini. Kami pun berihat sebentar sementara menantikan semua peserta sampai.