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FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND LANGUAGES (FEL)
OUMH2203
ENGLISH FOR WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION
NOORAINON BINTI YUSOF
760404055588001
760404-05-5588
013-3040919
TUTOR : PUAN FUZIAH BINTI MUSTAKIM
LEARNING CENTRE : NEGERI SEMBILAN
MAY 2010
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DECLARATION
I hereby declare that the work in this assignment is my own except for quotations andsummaries which have been duly acknowledged.
Name :NOORAINON BINTI YUSOF
Matrix No. : 760404055588001
Date : 11/07/2010
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Putting together this assignment involved months of intense effort. I am therefore grateful to
my classmates and friends who have contributed their time to complete my questionnaire
without which this assignment will not be completed.
A special thanks is due to my tutor Puan Fuziah Binti Mustakim for her invaluable
guidance that has enhanced the quality of this assignment. Other names that I like to
acknowledge are my employerEncik Mohd Yusof Bin Sudin for his encouragement and my
deepest thanks go to my best friend Mareza Binti Mohamad for his support and helped. I
greatly appreciate their support and encouragement.
Last but not least, my families especially my parents Haji Yusof Bin Jalil and Hajjah
Noriah Binti Talib and my friends who have been tolerant with my preoccupation with the
project and for their patience while this assignment was taking from, your understanding is
more than I can ask for.
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ABSTARCT
In preparing this report for my assignment for this semester, I have given the situation where I
am a Research Officer at Open University Malaysia. Open University Malaysia, in its effort to
offer world class education is improving its open distance learning programmed to attract
more students and to produce better quality students. I have just appointed to lead a research
team survey and identify problem faced by students in their open distance learning so that
measures can be taken by university for improvement. I have to submit a long report to my
superior.
I have tried to make a detail report of this situation and tried to focus on what is the mainproblem faced by students in their open distance learning. There are so many factors that the
student are facing. I identify four main problems which financial problems, time management,
technology and OUM facilities. I also provide the recommendations and the conclusion.
The report, however, is a training ground where students like me develop skills on how to
write a report in a proper academic standard that will serve through-out life. It is of my hope
that this assignment cope.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION i
ACKNOWLEDGMENT ii
ABSTRACT iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS iv
1.0Introduction 11.1 Objectives of the Study 2
2.0 Respondent Profile 2 - 5
3.0 Survey Findings 5
3.1 Financial 6 - 8
3.2 Time Management 8 10
3.3 Technology 10 - 11
3.4 OUM Facilities 11 - 12
4.0 Conclusion 13
5.0 Recommendations 14 - 15
6.0 References 16
7.0 Appendix 1 Questionnaire 17 - 25
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
Open University Malaysia (OUM) is the premier Open and Distance Learning (ODL)
institution in Malaysia. In Malaysia, provision of education is one of the importantelements taking my government in order to become a fully developed country by year
2020. Established in August 2000 under a consortium of 11 of Malaysias public
universities, its official launching on 26th August 2002 by our ex-Prime Minister of
Malaysia, YAB Dato Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. OUM opened its doors to just 753
learners in its first intake.
In the past ten years, total learner enrolment has grown past the 70,000 mark. From
offering a mere four programmes during its inception, OUM currently lists more than 50
programmes from diploma to postgraduate levels. OUM operate nationally through 61
learning centers dispersed throughout the country.
Many working adults who otherwise may not have had the chance to obtain a degree are
now given the opportunity to upgrade their academic backgrounds whilst juggling
professional, familial and social responsibilities. Therefore, as one of its effort to offer
world class education to the nation, a research was conducted to understand therelationship between students and their difficulties faced in their open distance learning, so
that measures can be taken by university for better improvement.
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1.1 Objectives of the Study
It is an analysis of the characteristics, qualities and effort of emerging learning
institution that will help OUM to produce better quality students. The objective of thisstudy is to measure examine the degree to which OUM is transforming itself into an
opening distance institution. Furthermore, the specific objectives of the study are to:-
Identify the main problems faced by the students based on four main aspects thatare financial, time management, technology and OUM service and support;
Identify the barriers that need to overcome in order to become a world classeducation institution; and
Identify the future improvement that should be taken by OUM.
2.0RESPONDENT PROFILE
The respondents for this study comprise of Open University Malaysia students from
Negeri Sembilan Learning Centre. The survey was sent to 50 students at Open University
Malaysia and 45 were returned and analyzed. The data of the respondent profile was
presented in the Figure 1.1 below.
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About 44.4% of the respondents from government sector while 40.0% is from private
sector. Non-Executive contributes the highest position in an organization that is 44.4%,
followed by teacher position with 31.1%. Meanwhile others occupation is the lowest with
15.6%. Majority of the respondents have the monthly income range between RM2, 000 toRM3, 000 that is 44.4% followed by below RM2000 contribute 40.0%.
The highest academic programme taken by the respondents is degree programme with 34
respondents out of 45 respondents which is 75.6% followed by diploma with 10
respondents which is 22.2%. Master programme contribute only 2.2% out of 45
respondents.
The main purpose of the respondent to pursue their study is to aim for higher salary and
better benefits with 57.8% followed by 33.3% to upgrade and improve knowledge and
skills. The lowest purpose of respondent to further their study because of encouragement
by their family is at 2.2%.
3.0 SURVEY FINDINGS
The survey focuses on four main aspects that are Financial, Time Management,
Technology and OUM Facilities. 24 questions cover all of four aspects where the portion
of the questions was as shown at Figure 1.2below:-
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Figure 1.2: Portion of question of 4 main aspect.
3.1 Financial
The purpose of survey on financial aspect is to identify either financial is one of themain problem faced by open distance learning students at OUM. Data on financial
aspects is present in Figure 1.3below:-
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4 Questions Financial
7 Questions Time Management
7 Questions Technology
6 Questions OUM Facilities
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Figure 1.3 Summary of Respondent on Financial Aspect
Based on the survey, 40.0% of the respondents pay their OUM fees using their
saving or their own income. Followed by using Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja
(KWSP) or contribution by their own family 31.1%, personal loan or government
loan from Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN) which is 22.2%
and the lowest percentage come from sponsored by their employee or their company
which is 6.7%. Majority of the respondents spent about 5% per month from their
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monthly salary their study purposes with 66.7%. 46.7% of the respondents said that
OUM registration and tuitions fees are expensive; meanwhile 40.0% of them said it is
reasonable. Majority of the respondents used their own car or car pool to attend their
face to face learning at OUM with 88.9%.
3.2 Time Management
Time management was chosen as one of the aspects in this survey is to identify how
the respondents manage their time with open distance learning. From the survey we
can see whether the student can coop the time frame that prepared by OUM or not.
The data is shown in Figure 1.4 below:
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Figure 1.4 Summary of Respondent on Time Management
There are 18 respondents or 44.2% spent only 1- 2 hours a week to study meanwhile
32.6% spent 1 to 2 hours to study in a week. The study method that the respondents
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prefer is to attend the face to face learning method or discussion with the tutor at
learning centre with 35.6% followed by individual learning method which is 33.3%.
High percentage of respondent agreed that they failed to manage their time for
studying because of the commitment to their work which is 60.0% followed byfamily matters which is 22.2% only. Majority of the respondents have not enough
time to participate in the discussion online with 66.7% and majority of them failed to
finish their assignment within the stipulated time given with 55.6%.
There are about 77.8% of the respondents faced difficulties in allocating their time
between work and study which is very high range compare with respondent which
can manage their time between work and study which only 22.2%. Meanwhile
majority of the respondents like to do things last minutes with 62.2%. Finally, about
43% of the respondents found the main problem in managing their time is on work
matters and 32.6% having a personal problem in managing their time.
3.3 Technology
The technology data was shown in Figure 1.5 below.
Figure 1.5 Summary of Respondent on Technology
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From the survey, we can see that out of 45 respondents, 35 have their own computer
either desktop or laptop which is 77.8% where as the balance did not have the own
computer. Majority of the respondent also have their own internet access either at
home which is 71.1% followed by 17.8% of them using the internet access andfacilities at the office, and the balance will find other alternative such as cybercaf to
get the access. 33.3% of the respondents have a good knowledge in computer and
28.9% rate themselves as poor in computer knowledge and the same with the poor
knowledge.
40.0 % of the respondents access OUM website at least 3 times a week, 35.6%
before LMS Session closed and 17.8% access OUM website every day. From the
survey also we can see that 62.2% of respondent did not like to participate in online
discussion or forum. Majority of the respondents have no problem to serve LMS with
64.4% and 57.8% of the students used internet to study and look for information or
reference for their assignment the rest will use manual method to study or look for
information or reference for their studying purpose or assignment.
3.4 OUM FacilitiesThe last aspects survey in this study is on OUM Services and Support. The data wasshown in Figure 1.6 below. Majority of the respondents feels that service and
support given by OUM especially the administration staff are moderate or satisfaction
with 37.8% and 26.7% feels that the facilities are good. 57.8% of the respondents
agree that the OUM tutors are very helpful. Meanwhile, majority of the respondents
rank the OUM facilities at their learning centre are good with 53.3%.
The respondents prefer the tutors to used Bahasa Malaysia with 62.2 % and 26.7% of
them prefer the tutor to use mixture of both language for better understanding. The
exam format that preferred by the respondents is assignment and subjective exam with
33.3% followed by subjective exam only with 26.7% and assignment only with 17.8%.
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Finally majority of the respondents belief that OUM is affordable and bring education
to the masses with 37.8% and 28.9% of the respondents belief that OUM is Friendly
and customer oriented.
Figure 1.6 Summary of Respondent on OUM Facilities
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4.0 CONCLUSION
This study presents the conclusion of the survey findings in an effort to measure and
examine the degree to which OUM is transforming itself into an opening institution. It isalso to find any relationship between four problems which had been measured that is
financial, time management, technology and OUM service and support.
The respondents came from various levels of organizations and positions. The highest is
from non-executive position group. The majority of the respondents also are married and
most of them are female. Therefore this profile can relate to the time management aspect
where 60.0% of the respondents difficult to allocate their time between work and study.
We can conclude that almost of the respondent are working mother and wife and want to
pursue their study to aim for better living. This also can relate to the financial aspect
where almost of them taking out their own income in order to pay for their OUM fees.
The results of the study also showed that majority of the respondents have their own PC
or laptop and have an internet access at their home. Thus, OUM must take into action the
issue of 22.2% of the respondents who do not have own any computer for their learning
purposes. This aim also is align with government policy to encourage his entire citizen tobe knowledgeable in information technology (IT).
Finally, through this report we can conclude that OUM facilities toward the students are at
average where 37.8% of the respondents feel that OUM service is moderate but not at
excellence level. OUM should do something on that opinion. Therefore, OUM must
change their students perspective so that OUM should become an affordable institution
which can bring education to the masses.
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5. RECOMMENDATIONS
Refering to the findings of this study, the following recommendations were made:-
5.1 Financial
OUM should implement the sponsorship programme with all the private sectors or
international company such as Proton Edar Sdn Bhd, Perodua Sdn Bhd, NXP, ON
(M) Sdn Bhd and etc. This can encourage staff from private sector to further their
study and the fees can be sponsored their respective company. Therefore, students
can concentrate on their study and did not to bother on financial matters. OUM
itself can provide sponsorship to the excellent students who achieve or maintain
their CGPA 3.50 above in order to help the student and also can encourage them to
achieve high quality grade.
5.2 Time Management
Students having a big problem to manage their time between study, work and their
families and it are showed in the survey that 33.3% of the respondents like to study
individually rather than group study. Therefore, in order to encourage students
manage their time efficiently, OUM can implement the group assignment forselected module. This method can encourage students to have a group discussion
and generate more idea on how to solve certain problems. Group study is good
because each member can motivate all their members to be more efficient.
5.3 Technology
In order to encourage all OUM students to be competent in IT knowledge, OUM
should collaborate with TM to promote Streamyx UNI Pack Promotion where
students are entitled for one netbook for free.
Jill M.Galusha in his articles said:-
The student must also incur technology costs. If the
internet is used, then the student must have access
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to a computer, moderm, and associated software.
Additionally, telephone charges to the Internet service
provider will be incurred.
Barriers to Learning in Distance Education,(p.8)
Hence, this will encourage students to have their own computer at home and they
can easily serve OUM website every day.
5.4 OUM Facilities
As already know, majority of the OUM students are the part-time students with
thousand and one of their problems and commitments. It is the duty of OUM
management to provide optimum facilities in order to encourage them to make their
studying time at OUM are affordable with their money spends for the fees. OUM
should provide more computers at learning centre, more space for parking and caf
since the student spend their time almost the whole day at learning centre when they
have to attend the tutorial. All the facilities can make student feel comfortable
studying at OUM. OUM have to make enhancement and improvement of the
learning management system (LMS), i.e the MyLMS in order to attract student touse it.
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6.0 REFERENCES
Berge, Zane.L and Yi, Ping.Huang(2004). A Model for Sustainable Student Retention:
A Holistic Perspective on the Student Dropout Problem with Special Attention
to e-Learning. DEOSNEWS. 13(5), 1-26
Dean, G.J. (2004).An introduction to adult learners: Nothing is for sure.
Fieldnotes for ABLE Staff:, 1-11.
Galusha, Jill.M (1997).Barriers to Learning in Distance Education: The Infrastruction
Network. [Online]. Available : http://www.infrastruction.com/barriers.htm.
[2008, October 12].Smith, Keith Tylerh. (2006). Early Attrition Among First Time eLearners: A Riview of
Factors that Contribute to Drop-out, Withdrawal and Non-completion Rates of
Adult Learners undertaking eLearning Programmes: MERLOT Journal of
Online Learning and Teaching 2(2),73-85.
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7.0 APPENDIX 1 QUESTIONNAIRE
Institute of Quality, Research and Innovation Unit, Jalan Tun Ismail,
50480 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 - 2773 2121 Fax No : 03 - 2697 8852
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION TEAM
OPEN UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA
MAY 2010
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A SURVEY ON PROBLEMS FACED BY STUDENTS IN
THEIR OPEN DISTANCE LEARNING
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Institute of Quality, Research and Innovation Unit, Jalan Tun Ismail,
50480 Kuala LumpurTel : 03 - 2773 2121 Fax No : 03 - 2697 8852
Dear Mr/Mrs/Miss/Madam,
In its effort to offer world class education Open University Malaysia (OUM) is improving its
open distance learning programmed to attract more students and to produce better quality
students. We as a research team have appointed to do a research and identify problems faced
by students in their open distance learning so that measures can be taken by Open OUM for
better improvement.
You may outsource very small percentage of this activities but this information is important
for our research. We would appreciate if you could participate in this survey by responding to
this questionnaire. Please take a moment of your precious time to answer this questionnaire
sincerely and based on your experience. I would like to assure you that all information
disclosed will be kept strictly confidential. No one will be identified in the report.
To assist you in completing this questionnaire, please note the following:-
This questionnaire is preferable to be completed by OUM student. However, those whohave wide knowledge open distance learning are also competent to complete this
questionnaire.
Please return the completed questionnaire by 20th Jun 2010. If you have any enquiries
regarding this study, please contact:
Noorainon Binti Yusof (Research Officer) at 013-3040919, email [email protected] or
Thank you very much for your cooperation and your interest in the survey.
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Please tick () in the box that best represents your response for each of the statements or a rate
your level with the following rates:1. Age
20 - 30 years old 30 - 40 years old
40 - 50 years old 50 years old
2. GenderFemale Male
3. Marital StatusSingle Married
Divorcee Other(s) ___________________
4. Type of your occupation.Government Self-employed
Private Sector Fulltime housewife
Retired Other(s) ___________________
5. Monthly Income (Average)RM1,000 - RM2,000 RM2,000 - RM3,000
RM3000 - RM4,000 RM4,000
6. Position in your organization.Teacher Manager / Executive
Non-executive Other(s) ________________
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SECTION I : RESPONDENT PROFILE
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7. Academic ProgrammedDiploma Degree
Master Others
8. Progress of your study now.Year 1 Year 2
Year 3 Year 4
9. Purpose to further your studyTo upgrade and improve knowledge and skills
To move higher in my profession and salary
Self satisfaction
Encouragement by family
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10.I pay my OUM fees using _____Saving / Own Income KWSP / Sponsored by Family
Personal Loan / PTPTN Sponsored by Company
11.My transportation to attend class at OUMOwn transport Car Pool
Public transport Other(s) ___________________
12.I spent at least ___% per month of my income for my study purposes. 5% 10%
15% 15%
13.OUM tuition fees is _____Expensive Cheap
Reasonable
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SECTION II : FINANCIAL BACKGROUND
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14.I spent around _____ to study.1 - 2 hours per day 2 hours per day
1 - 2 hours per week 2 hours per week
15.My study methodGroup discussion Individually
Attend class Online discussion
16.My main problem in managing my time to study is _____Work Family
Personal problem Other(s) ___________________
17.I have enough time to participate discussion online.Yes No
18.I manage to finish my assignment within the stipulated time given.Yes No
19.I face difficulties in allocating my time between work and study.Yes No
20.I like to do things last minutes.Yes No
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SECTION III : TIME MANAGEMENT
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21.I own computer / laptop at homeYes No
22.My internet access facilitiesHome Office
Cybercaf Other(s) ___________________
23.I rate my computer knowledge as ____Excellence Good
Poor No knowledge
24.I access OUM WebsiteAlmost every day At least 3 times a week
Before exam Before LMS session closed
25.I like to participate in online discussion.Yes No
26.I always face problem when I serve my LMS or OUM portal.
Yes No
27.I used internet to study and look for information and reference for my assignment.Yes No
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SECTION IV : TECHNOLOGY
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28.Services and support given my OUM especially the administration staff are _____Excellence Good
Poor Moderate
29.My tutors are very helpful.Agree Not agree
Not all tutors are helpful Other(s) ___________________
30.The facilities provide by OUM is _____Excellence Good
Poor Moderate
31.I prefer my tutor to use ______ language during teaching.English Bahasa Malaysia
Both
32.The exam format that I prefer isMCQ Subjective Exam
Assignment only Assignment & Subjective Exam
33.In my opinion, open distance learning at OUM are _____Friendly and customer oriented
Affordable and bring education to the masses
Based on profitably only
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SECTION V: OUM FACILITIES
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34.In your opinion what should OUM do to improve its open distance learning programme toattract more students and to produce better quality students?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Thank you very much for your time and participation in this survey. If you wish to provide
any comment or opinion, please mail to [email protected]
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