International Journal of TVET Studies (formerly known as Journal of Social Sciences and Technical Education JoSSTEd)
The Impact of Family, Peers, and Teachers' Support on Learning Satisfaction of Tourism and Hospitality Students in Politeknik Kota Kinabalu
The success and effectiveness of the learning process can be seen through the level of student learning satisfaction. Student satisfaction is influenced by several variables, such as peer, teacher, and family support. To produce students that are knowledgeable and highly skilled one factor that must be highlighted is student satisfaction. A lack of studies examining the effects of various forms of social support has prompted this paper to investigate how students’ level of satisfaction with their learning is influenced by the support of their social environment. The data was collected from 151 students from the first to sixth semesters at the Department of Tourism and Hospitality. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) techniques were used as a method of data analysis and processed using SmartPLS Version 2.0. The results of the study revealed that students' learning satisfaction was significantly influenced by the support of the teaching staff. However, support from friends and family was found to have no impact on students' learning satisfaction. This finding is explained by the fact that students spend more time in class with their teachers, which ultimately boosts their comfort level and confidence in approaching teachers for advice on issues about their academic performance. The findings of this study will be useful in directing teachers and academics as they develop strategies for increasing students' satisfaction and academic performance.
Copyright (c) 2023 International Journal of TVET Studies (formerly known as Journal of Social Sciences and Technical Education JoSSTEd)
Performance Analysis of the Rhombic Drive Beta-Configuration Stirling Engine
Stirling Engines have a wide range of practical uses, including propulsion and refrigeration. The Stirling cycle heat motor has a decent potential for use in the future given certain benefits like external combustion, fuel adaptability and flexibility. Stirling engines are used extensively in the cryogenic and submarines field, but prime mover applications are still underdeveloped. The main purpose of this study is to develop accurate thermodynamic numerical models that can predict performance and provide a means of further optimization. Therefore, this paper shows numerical modelling simulation, validation, and parametric optimization of a Single-Cylinder Rhombic Drive Beta-Configuration Stirling Engine filled with CuO-ZnO as a working fluid. A general 1st Order-Dimensional numerical model is adapted throughout the prediction of Stirling engine performance. The numerical model is determined based on swept and un-swept volume, overall geometrical parameters, and operating fluid properties The cycle pressure, volumetric displacement, work, and energy produced during the expansion and compression cycles in the cylinder are predicted using Schmidt and Ideal Adiabatic analysis based on Berchowitz and Urieli's technique. At a speed of 300 rpm, the engine produces 946.54 W of power in the designated working condition. Based on a 90° phase angle setting, 4.5 bar of Copper Oxide-Zinc Oxide (CuO-ZnO) cylinder charge pressure, 1073 K of expansion space temperature, and 294 K of cooler space temperature, the stated thermal efficiency is 73 percent.
Application Geographical Information System in Fire Hydrant and Open Water Sources Management
This paper discusses the application of the Geographical Information System (GIS) in managing fire hydrants and open water sources. The use of GIS in fire hydrant and open water management allows for efficient and effective management of resources. The paper outlines the benefits of GIS, including data visualization, data analysis, and data management. The paper also discusses how GIS can be used to create navigation maps and optimize response times during emergency situations. Furthermore, the paper discusses the challenges and limitations of GIS in this context, such as data accuracy and accessibility. Overall, the paper concludes that GIS is a useful tool for managing fire hydrants and open water sources and recommends its adoption for efficient management of resources in emergency situations.
Fire Hydrant and Open Water Sources Management
“The Changing Role of Higher Education: Learning to Deal Wicked Problems” by Judith Ramaley: A Critical Review
The essay is a position paper written by Ramaley (2014), looking at the widening definition and scope of stakeholders in higher education. Since then, many things have progressed and may not be so accurate anymore. As fluid as it seems, no one would have predicted that the pandemic would happen and cause a big disruption to the world and impact every industry, including the higher education industry was badly affected. This article discusses the relevance and application of the author’s discussion in the Malaysian context. The article concludes the role of HLIs is definitely changing. In the 21st-century setting, HLIs are expected to be sustainable and resilient.
Comparative Study of Microinverters Topologies and Control Schemes for Photovoltaic Applications
Photovoltaic (PV) energy is one of the most promising emerging technologies for renewable energy sources. An alternative solution for photovoltaic (PV) generation systems is the grid-connected AC module. It combines the PV panel with the microinverter connected to the grid. A transformer is a key component of a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) microinverters system regarding safety and power quality issues. The microinverter shall ensure that the maximum power operation of the PV module is carried out with the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPP) and Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) should not be more than 5% according to the standards of IEEE 1547 and IEC 6172. With the aid of the MATLAB Simulink software, the comparative study of double stage isolated microinverter topologies for PV systems is presented in this paper. The multistage microinverter consists of six isolated topologies of DC-DC converter with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and H-bridge inverter. The control algorithms are implemented according to the Perturbation and Observation (P&O) method. The device switching is controlled by using MOSFET with a frequency value of 100kHz for converter switching and 20kHz for inverter switching. The designs made have met the requirements of Vout = 230V (rms), Iout = 0.923A, Pout = 300V and, output frequency = 50Hz. The design of microinverters modelled in this study is Fly-back, Interleaved Fly-back, Push-Pull, Current-Fed, Half Bridge, and Full-Bridge. As a result, by comparing all of the 6 topologies microinverters designed, the Flyback Microinverter was proposed. The THD rates for flyback microinverter is measured at 1.24% in FFT spectrum, and the transformer ratio value of 3.7 compared to other design.
The Role of Academic Leaders in Leading and Managing Curriculum Change and Innovation in Two Foreign Branch Campus Universities in Sarawak
This is a comparative study to investigate the role of academic leaders in leading and managing curriculum change and innovation in two foreign branch campus universities (FBCUs) in Sarawak. To facilitate the investigation of this study, two research objectives act as the guideline: (1) To identify the approach used by academic leaders in managing curriculum change and innovation in two FBCUs during the Covid-19 pandemic and post-pandemic, and (2) To compare the role of academic leaders in managing curriculum change and innovation between two FBCUs during Covid-19 pandemic and post-pandemic. The qualitative data collected through semi-structured interviews with two academic leaders from two higher education providers (HEPs) were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings of this study were consistent between the two HEPs and with past studies noting that curriculum change and innovation should be in a structured and proper manner. The conclusion was drawn and recommendations were provided for future practices and adoption by HEPs, as well as for future research.
Design and Development of A Low-Cost Electromyogram Amplifier for General-Purpose Biosignal Amplification
The electromyogram (EMG) is a biological signal which manifests during muscle contraction. It is widely used for health, biomechanics and machine control. However, high-performance EMG amplifiers are costly while self-developed solutions face reliability issues. In this paper, a low-cost solution to EMG amplification is introduced. The proposed design incorporates a front-end filter, a differential stage, and a bandpass filter. The resulting prototype consists of six differential inputs and is constructed into a compact housing. Being battery-powered, it is portable and safer as it is not powered by the mains. The developed device was rated to achieve a common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) of over 90 DB with a high input impedance of 20 GΩ which is comparable to the commercial device. In addition, test results also showed that the baseline noise amplitude was similar with or without the right-leg drive.
Case Study: Analysis of Water Quality in Sungai Siring, Melaka
This research was conducted to identify river quality at Sungai Siring, Melaka. The parameters used to study this water quality are Total Suspended Solid (TSS), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), pH Value (pH) and Salinity experiments. The study location is divided into three locations: upstream, downstream, and middle of the river. 27-litre sample for this laboratory water quality test. This test was performed at Melaka Biotechnology Laboratory, Ayer Keroh, Melaka. Overall, the river water quality at each sampling station was unclean (class IV based on the Water Quality Index). In conclusion, the water quality of Sungai Siring is not clean. It can be used for crops but more for irrigation, dust suppression, food waste removal from restaurants, and sewage disposal. Irrigation is often studied in conjunction with drainage, which is the transfer of surface or subsurface water from a particular area naturally. Thus, river water in class IV like Sungai siring may just use for irrigation.
Managing Curriculum Change in Malaysian Higher Education:A Critical Review of the Literature
This paper provides a comprehensive and insightful critical review of the literature pertaining to curriculum change within the Malaysian higher education sector. Beginning with a concise overview of the historical context of curriculum change, the review is structured into distinct sections that delve into various sub-topics. These include an examination of the rationale behind the need for curriculum change, an exploration of the multifaceted processes and aspects involved in effecting curriculum change, an analysis of the crucial role of leadership in successfully managing such change, and an assessment of the prevailing directions and contemporary issues surrounding the organization and implementation of curriculum change. Ultimately, this paper underscores the significance of implementing diverse strategies to facilitate successful curriculum changes as a dynamic and ongoing process. Moreover, it emphasizes the imperative for higher education providers to possess strong leadership capabilities to foster agility and prompt responsiveness in the face of curriculum change challenges.
Experimental Investigation of Flat Heat Pipe for Cooling System Using Cross-flow Heat Exchanger
Nowadays, advanced technology that has been introduced is beneficial in every aspect of human life. Despite the advantages, the technology also brings some disadvantages, especially to the environment, for example, high heat dissipation due to the increase in operating wattage and power. Thus, a study on heat management is necessary to provide a better cooling system to sustain the performance of the technology. The purpose of this experiment is to fabricate a flat heat pipe to investigate the cooling effect when R-134a is used as the working fluid powered by 750W of a resistance heater. The heat pipe comprises a copper container that is sealed and contains a working fluid, along with a heat exchanger. It can be divided into three distinct sections: the evaporator section, the adiabatic section, and the condenser section. The flat heat pipe is a part where it receives the heat and lets the evaporation process take place while the heat exchanger is where the condensation process occurs. Meanwhile, in the adiabatic section, a crossflow heat exchanger is designed so that two fluids flow perpendicular to one another. The operating pressure inside the heat pipe is vacuum pressure to make the boiling temperature of working fluid occur at a lower temperature. The heat pipe was studied experimentally using Refrigerant 134a compared to water as the working fluids and tested with three different pressures. Water is also used as a cooling medium to transport thermal energy. From the experiment, the data are collected from six points attached to the heat pipe. At the end of the study, results of different temperatures between two endpoints of the heat exchanger are collected to determine the heat transfer efficiency. The efficiency of thermal energy is then compared with the same experimental study but using different designs of heat exchangers.
Effect of Windscreen Glass Waste Powder (WGWP) as Substitution of Sand on Water Absorption in Mortar
Windscreen Glass Waste is one of the typical wastes on the construction site. Windscreen Glass Waste can be ground into a certain size of particles to replace the material in the construction industry. This study investigates and analyzes the effect of windscreen glass waste on the replacement of sand into the mortar mixture on water absorption. Windscreen glass waste was collected from the disposal area and was crushed and ground using LA abrasion. Later, ground windscreen glass waste powder was filtered by sieve analysis apparatus so as collect only the size of sand particles. Windscreen glass waste, OPC, water and fine aggregate were mixed according to mixed design and percentage of replacement of windscreen glass waste. Once the casting process was done, the mortar specimens were cured 7 days before the water absorption test took place. The study found that mortar with replacement with windscreen glass waste produced a better result as compared to the control sample (0%). However, 30% of substitution and 30% of windscreen glass waste has produced the lowest water absorption level.
5E Flipped Learning Environment Enriched Learning Experience of Medical Assistant Students by Increased Online Learning Ability: A Case Study
Engagement with learning activities is very important for adult students, especially in the online learning environment. This research is an exploration of the learning experiences of medical assistant students in a 5E flipped learning environment of the Pre-Hospital Trauma Care course at a private university in Malaysia. In this study, students were required to participate in a 5E-flipped learning environment involving online and face-to-face learning activities. A case study research approach was adopted, involving 12 undergraduate students enrolled in a 7-week PHTC 5E flipped classroom course. Qualitative data were generated through participants’ learning diaries, classroom observations, online non-participant observations, the student focuses group discussions, and individual student interviews. Thematic analysis was used to code, identify patterns, and develop themes within the data. The findings showed that students can improve their online learning ability with this 5E flipped learning environment. This focused on the aspect of a) Providing a Self-Checking Approach b) Increased Students’ Preparation Time c) Providing a Self-Directed Learning Environment, and d) Improve Self-Efficacy in Learning. Thus, the 5E flipped learning environment enriches students’ learning ability in an online learning environment.
The Potential of Natural Coagulants for Turbidity Removal
The use of potassium alum as a synthetic coagulant to clarify turbid water in the water treatment plant is widely recognized. However, the dirtier the water, the more volume of alum is needed in the water treatment plants. The large volumes of alum or other chemical substances to treat water may pose a potential risk to human health and high processing cost in water treatment plants. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the potential of natural coagulants as a substitute for chemical turbidity removal. Natural coagulants such as Tamarind Seed, Lime Seed, and Banana Peel were used to replace chemicals in treating turbid water. The dosage used ranges between 10 mg/L to 40 mg/L for all coagulants. The artificial turbid water in this study was produced using kaolin powder, which was adjusted to 100NTU. Conventional jar test apparatus was used to test the efficiency of the natural coagulants. The test result shows that the natural coagulants successfully reduced the turbidity of the turbid synthetic water. From the findings, the turbidity removal efficiency of tamarind seed, lime seed, and banana peel is 42.5%, 34.2%, and 36.9% respectively. Tamarind seed shows better coagulation and turbidity removal compared to banana peel and lime seed. Adding natural ingredients instead of chemicals in the water treatment process offers a cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and sustainable alternative. Moreover, the usage of this natural coagulant could help in reducing the chemical waste product to the environment, which is usually produced when using chemicals. Therefore, natural coagulants have the potential to reduce the level of turbidity in water.
Strength Analysis of the Frame and Shaft of the Planting Media Mixing Machine With a Maximum Capacity of 100 kg/process
Cultivation of white oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) is a relatively easy business because the raw materials for planting media are relatively easy to obtain, such as sawdust, rice bran (bran), calcium, and water. The increasing demand for oyster mushrooms is one of the reasons for the development of oyster mushroom cultivation. Mushroom growing media (baglog) can continuously harvest oyster mushrooms within 4-5 months. A mixer is needed to prepare the planting media to save production time. Ensuring the mixing machine can operate for a long time, it is necessary to analyze the strength of the components of the mixing machine, especially against the possible loadings. In this paper, the strength analysis is focused on the components of the engine frame and the mixing engine shaft because the probability of failure is quite large. The strength of the shaft and frame were analyzed using Ansys software. The growing media mixing machine analyzed has a maximum capacity of 100 kg per process, whereas one mixing process takes 12 minutes. The analysis using the Von Misses Stress showed a maximum of 121,8 Mpa on the upper side of the frame and 25.376 Mpa on the shaft for a stirring capacity of 100 kg.
Design and Fabrication of Smart Portable Peltier Air-cond with the Internet of Things
The advancement of technology has brought a lot of benefits and comfort to human life. Sustainability has become one of the important factors to be considered in technology development. Peltier module becomes one of the potential smart technology in future, especially in refrigeration and air conditioning. However, less applicable air conditioning prototypes were designed and developed and integrated with IoT and smart sensors recently. The purpose of this research project is to design and fabricate an innovation of Peltier aircon using thermoelectric with the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart features based on green technology and Industrial Revolution (IR) 4.0. This unique Peltier is not needed to use any gas that might be harmful to the users. The advantages of this innovative design are portable with smart features, ease of installation, saving of energy, green technology, and reasonable price. Peltier, solar panel, Arduino Wemos ESP8266-D1, motion detector sensor, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, IoT control system and smartphone are the components and materials used in this project. Peltier module technology is a main component in this project and is a replacement for normal coolant which is harmful to our environment. Furthermore, this Peltier module is much more compact compared to current air conditioning technology. The Peltier effect is the reverse process of the Seebeck effect, which happens when electric current flow through a circuit which consists of dissimilar conductors that bring the cooling and heating effects. As a result, the proposed research project successfully drop the temperature from 30.8℃ to 27.5℃ in 3 minutes and all the smart features function well with the IoT control and monitoring system.
Pengukuhan Kemahiran Psikomotor Dalam Kerja Sains Kejuruteraan Melalui Demonstrasi Video Atas Talian
Kerja makmal adalah salah satu kaedah dalam penilaian kerja kursus bagi Sains Kejuruteraan. Mulai pertengahan Semester Jun 2020, kaedah pengajaran dan pembelajaran (PDP) serta kaedah penilaian telah berubah sepenuhnya, di mana ia terpaksa dilaksanakan secara atas talian disebabkan oleh Perintah Kawalan Pergerkan (PKP). Dalam melaksanakan PDP serta urusan pentaksiran, faktor penilaian kognatif, afektif dan psikomotor merupakaan suatu keutamaan. Disebabkan pandemik ini, timbul kesukaran oleh pensyarah dalam menilai kemahiran psikomotor pelajar khasnya dalam kerja makmal Sains Kejuruteraan. Bagi memastikan pensyarah dapat menilai kemahiran psikomotor pelajar, maka soalan tambahan diperkenalkan dalam lembaran kerja makmal, yang memerlukan pelajar menyelesaikan beberapa perkara melibatkan aktiviti psikomotor. Kajian ini melibatkan 26 orang pelajar seksyen DGU1A di bawah program pengajian Diploma Geomatik. Secara khusus, kajian ini dilaksanakan bertujuan untuk membantu pelajar menguasai kemahiran psikomotor dalam menyelesaikan kerja makmal, di samping memudahkan pensyarah membuat penilaian. Soalan tambahan yang dikemukakan mengarahkan pelajar menyenaraikan keselamatan dan peraturan keselamatan ketika di makmal, serta melaksanakan demonstrasi uji kaji melalui rakaman video atau gambar untuk menunjukkan kefahaman konsep pada setiap kerja makmal bagi Lab 1, Lab 2, dan Lab 3. Dapatan yang diperoleh melalui kajian tindakan menunjukkan pelajar memahami demonstrasi video yang diberikan berdasarkan laporan kerja makmal serta mampu memberi jawapan yang baik pada soalan tambahan. Melalui kajian ini, laporan makmal dan jawapan kepada soalan tambahan dapat menguji kemahiran psikomotor dengan lebih berkesan dan pensyarah mudah untuk menilai berdasarkan rubrik standard yang diselaras oleh Penyelaras Kursus Politeknik Malaysia.
The Use of Audio-Visual Aids in Improving the Mastery of Students' Skills in Producing Umai Products
This study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of the use of audio-visual aids in improving students' mastery of skills in producing Umai products. Researchers found that students had trouble producing standard textures, appearances, sizes, and presentations of Umai products. A total of five Culinary Certificate students in Semester 1 Session 2 2021/2022 were selected as respondents for this study. A preliminary survey was conducted to identify students' problems by conducting structured observations and analyzing the results of the Sarawak Traditional Cooking Practical Training. To strengthen the existence of problems, the group of respondents have undergone a discussion session with the course lecturers to identify the weaknesses of students. Next, respondents will attend a video viewing session that has been produced by the researcher. Through the session, respondents will be asked to answer a questionnaire and comment on the video before undergoing the Sarawak Traditional Cooking Practical Test. The results of the Practical Test showed that there was an increase in students' mastery of skills in producing Umai products using audio-visual aids (video).
Copyright (c) 2022 International Journal of TVET Studies (formerly known as Journal of Social Sciences and Technical Education JoSSTEd)
Suitability of Garnet to Grading and Fineness Modulus as Bedding Sand Layer in Concrete Block Pavement
Currently, highway and road construction use river sand as part of pavement construction. Due to rapid development, the demand for common sand increased and was heavily used in construction. Building constructions also require sand as the material to produce concrete. This is the major factor in increasing the demand for river sand and can increase the price of river sand. There are alternative suggestions by many researchers that use waste materials to replace ordinary sand completely or partially in construction. Therefore, using waste materials such as garnet to replace river sand either partially or fully will conserve our environment and more sustainable solutions. Concrete block pavement (CBP) uses river sand as its bedding sand layer. Therefore, there is the chance of garnet either in part or in full to replace river sand in the pavement constructions. The objective of the study was to determine the effect on the grading curve and the fineness modulus when the various contents of the sand-garnet ratio were used as the pavement-bedding layer. Sieve analysis was conducted to meet the grading requirements according to BS 882 while ASTM C33 was used as the reference in terms of modulus of fineness. The research found that only samples of type 9S1G and 8S2G meet the requirements as a material for the application of pavement base layer to replace part of the sand. In addition, the 9S1G and 8S2G type samples meet ASTM C33, which recommends that the fineness modulus value must be from 2.30 to 3.10 i.e., the fineness modulus value for 9S1G and 8S2G type sample is 2.77 and 2.81 respectively. Therefore, this research suggests that the percentage of garnet replacement for pavement bedding sand layer application is up to 20%.
Selection of EDM Die Sinking Optimal Condition of Machine AISI L3 Tool Steel Material Using Ant Colony Optimization
The leading use of tool steel material as cutting tool material because of its good qualities and economical in the production line. Besides, the common use of EDM Die Sinking of machine tool steel material makes machining preferred by the industry. Therefore, a study that correlates input-output parameters of EDM Die Sinking is urged to estimate the good quality machined tool steel workpiece such as an optimization study. This study estimates the good qualities as the outputs, with the benefit of knowing the machining parameters. Therefore, this paper aims to optimize EDM Die Sinking input parameters by using the Ant Colony Optimization algorithm, an approach based on soft computing. This paper’s step begins with experimental data and mathematical model application, then running the algorithm to gain the minimum outputs and optimized inputs, and ends with evaluation and validation. The selected input parameters are Current, Pulse on time, and Pulse off time; and the outputs are Material Removal Rate, Electrode Wear Rate, and Surface Roughness. The comparative study is made based on other references, and the result finds that the proposed approach outperforms the result by 3D Response Surface, Tabu Search, Genetic Algorithm, and Particle Swarm Optimizations approaches applied in previous studies. Moreover, the predicted optimized input parameters suggest more economical production expenses, by running at a lower rate of current supply for having better outputs.
Improvement Study of Material Handling Method Using Karukuri Concept at Pull Cup Assembly Work Station
This study was conducted to improve the material handling method at the pull cup assembly workstation using the Karakuri concept. Wasteful movement and limited storage space have been identified as causes of waste at pull cup assembly workstations. The objective of this study is to design a Karakuri rack that is driven by gravity to improve the material handling process and reduce the cycle time at the pull cup assembly workstation. The Karakuri rack in this study was designed using CATIA software. The findings of the study show that the use of Karakuri racks successfully reduced the work process from four work processes to three work processes and one work process was successfully eliminated. Next, the cycle time analysis on this workstation showed a decrease of 51.9 percent. So overall this study succeeded in improving the material handling process at the pull cup assembly workstation. The Karakuri rack design has also reduced motion waste and further increased productivity at the pull cup assembly station.
Fabrication of Spring Compressors for Automotive Workshops
Nowadays, conventional methods are often used in compressing the coil spring in the car absorbers for the removal process and the Macpherson strut spring compressor set is the most popular choice. However, this method is very time-consuming with the installation, compression, and removal processes. Therefore, air gun tools with compressor systems have been the option to substitute or replace the method to accelerate the process. The only drawback of this method is it is relatively expensive for small and medium automotive workshops. Therefore, this project aims to design and fabricate an upgraded version of the old spring compressor set to facilitate mechanical work. This tool is portable, easy to use and cheap to purchase. This tool consists of a cylindrical frame with the top section, a compression head secured to and axially adjustable relative to the frame, and the bottom section to support one opposite section of the strut assembly. Then, the bottom section is applied with force from the hydraulic jack to compress the coil spring and enable strut removal from the top section. Finally, the dismantling process can be easily performed. A simple market survey and the questionnaire form have been distributed to ten workshop mechanics in Kuching, Sarawak. The feedback gained was very encouraging and positive. Post-testing also showed that this spring compressor tool could remove the coil spring in a shorter time, which was 2 to 3 minutes, compared to the old spring compressor method, which required 4 to 5 minutes in the pre-testing process. Lastly, this machine is cheap at a cost of RM295.50. Therefore, this tool shows great potential to replace the current conventional methods in automotive workshops.
An easy tiling trowel box was developed to facilitate the installation of the tile. This tool is also used for finishing work in the building. Besides that, an educator can use this innovative product to teach finishing work because it is easy to show the real practice to the student. Typically, using this product, tile installation is done quickly without taking into precision using spirit level in every view. The safety aspect can be harmful to the occupants of every building that is built. Additionally, the use of mortar between insufficient tile pieces makes the distance between these tile pieces to be too close. This is because tile craftsmen usually take easy steps for fast work and want to save costs. This project presents a time frame of comparison between the conventional and the modern method. Usually, the floor tile installation process is a finishing work done manually and described in detail including floor tile flow installation, mortar thickness, pattern tile installation, equipment, installation defects, cost, and the labour rate. Floor tile installation cost analysis is based on data obtained in a construction project. As a result, the performance of the Easy Tiling Trowel box in applying the adhesives on the floor effectively and evenly this product was successfully examined to facilitate tile installation work in a shorter time than conventional methods.
Convective Heat Transfer in Air Conditioning Ducting (Internal Flow)
The prominent selections of ducting systems are based on design and size to determine the heat transfer and the impact of both ducting designs based on temperature differences. By using cooling load calculations such as the Rule of Thumb method and Ductsizer software, the analyses calculated the respective rooms involved in this study. The analysis's final finding revealed that the round (circular) duct has a smaller pressure drop than the rectangular duct. Additionally, it is discovered that a rectangular duct's temperature drop is significantly higher than a volumetrically equivalent round one because of friction between the fluid's moving particles and the duct's interior surfaces, the wall's difficult curvature and shape due to the rectangular duct's sharp corners, and the more challenging flow pattern. Apart from that, the noise level is also higher for the rectangular duct compared to the round duct.
A Comparison of As-built Position Computation
The as-built position is a monitoring work carried out once after the construction work of piling was completed. Is it to ensure that the position and dimensions of piles are exactly as specified in a plan? A comprehensive plan will be prepared to demonstrate all the amendments that have been made during construction. As-built drawings are the final set of drawings produced for the completion of a construction project. The information included all the changes that have been made to the original construction drawings such as notes, modifications, and other relevant information. The as-built position of the pile needs to be surveyed after the piling work to ensure the construction work is finished and compare the alignment of the actual position with the as-built position. The amendment drawing is carried out by a consultant based on the information of the as-built position. An informative plan provided by the consultant later will be useful while facing any possibilities during construction or future modification. Autolisp software is used to calculate and produce alignment of the as- built position. Autolisp is AutoCAD’s inbuilt programming language which is also used to create programs that will automatically generate drawings.
Teachers’ Feedback Practice in Teaching English as a Second Language
The use of feedback in teaching English has been practised in Malaysia by ESL teachers. They have always used feedback to inform their students about their opinions on the students’ learning, whether it is impromptu verbal feedback or planned written feedback. However, the quality of feedback provided by teachers is critical because it determines the efficacy and practicality of the feedback itself. The researcher will conduct descriptive research on the level of teachers' feedback practice in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) in this study. The study's primary goal is to provide an answer to the topic, determining whether the level of teachers' feedback practice should be improved or maintained. A questionnaire containing six relevant statements regarding the level of teachers' feedback practice will be distributed to ESL students and analysed by the researcher to obtain reliable results on the mentioned topic. The obtained results show three high-level statements and three average-level statements. As a result, it is possible to conclude that the level of teachers' feedback practice in TESL is on the high side. The researcher then stated several implications and recommendations to help improve the average level statements while keeping the high-level statements as a conclusion.
The Influence of Student Self-Efficacy towards Online Learning Engagement: A Study in Private International Upper Secondary Schools in Malaysia
This research paper aimed to inspect the influence of students’ self-efficacy and online learning engagement in upper secondary private international schools in Malaysia. The 3 dimensions of students’ self-efficacy were time management, technology use and an online learning environment; with the 4 dimensions of online learning engagement: behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and social. The instrument adapted from Zimmerman and Kulikowich’s Online Learning Self-Efficacy Scale (OLSES) and Deng et al.’s MOOC Engagement Scale (MES) were used to collect data. The data was collected through a questionnaire in Google Forms with a six-point Likert Scale sent to upper secondary students in examining the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Analysis of the data was done through simple linear regressions to test the significant influence of students’ self-efficacy on online learning engagement. This study investigates the influence of students’ self-efficacy on online learning engagement verifying a proposed conceptual model at the beginning of the research. The comprehensive model offers stakeholders a better understanding of how students’ self-efficacies influence learning engagement during online learning. Subsequently, our research fills in the gap of sub-population focusing on higher secondary school students, providing acumen on the theory of self-efficacy and online learning engagement within this population.
Column Adsorption Studies for Oil Removal in POME by Using Esterified Sago Bark
The mixture of residual oil in POME was released into the environment and polluted the environment, affecting the quality of water in rivers and seas. Sago bark (SB) from Metroxylon sagu harvested in Sarawak, Malaysia as a cheap natural adsorbent was investigated for removing POME through the adsorption process. The hydrophobicity of this sorbent in an aqueous state was improved via the esterification process. The esterification of sago bark was conducted at a ratio of sago bark (SB) to stearic acid (SA) by 4 to 1. Parameters of bed height and particle sizes of esterified sago bark (ESB) and flow rate of POME were analysed using full central composite (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM). Hydrophobicity test, FTIR and SEM were carried out to characterize the ESB. Results showed that the esterification process has successfully increased the hydrophobicity of sago bark by 51.7% and increased the oil removal efficiency of ESB in POME by 53.33%. A developed 2-factor interaction (2FI) model showed that the conditions of ESB in 0.5 mm sizes with 15 cm bed height and at 5 ml/min of flow rate obtained 97.8% efficiency of oil removal in POME. SB esterification has successfully increased the oil adsorption and the removal of emulsion oil in POME.
The Development of Class Location Finder Application: Case Study of Politeknik Kuching Sarawak
The number of various types of navigation system applications has been increasing nowadays with the demand from users. The use of navigation system applications depends on the purpose of the product. There are quite several products available in the market such as location navigation, hiking routes, marine navigation, etc but for specific places’ navigation is not available. All the above navigation system application uses the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to determine the location position while using the Geographic Information System (GIS) for the spatial and attribute data. This study focuses on developing a navigation application for navigating users to locate classes in Politeknik Kuching Sarawak. The targeted users for this study are students and lecturers as the main customers. The main components of this application are the integration of class location databases and open-source map features for route navigation. This study involved collecting the class accommodation details as attribute data in combining GIS with GNSS components. This study introduced a wide variety and diversity of navigation applications but only focused on locating classes at Politeknik Kuching Sarawak. To realize this type of navigation application, a well-planned methodology has been carried out. First, carried out the data acquisition and data preparation for the class coordinates and accommodations. Then, the application was developed using JotForm software. After that, the app installation link was shared with several respondents to test the app. The respondents will give their feedback through a distributed google form so that the developer can analyse the effectiveness of the application and will be able to improve the application update in the next version.
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
Using Prefix Kits to Enhance Students’ Competency in Conversion of Units
Engineering Science is a compulsory course taken by Semester 1 engineering students at the polytechnic. There are six main topics in the Engineering Science syllabus. A total of 10 students from DTP1A class were taken as the sample group. The general objective through this study is to overcome students' problems in memorising the Base Quantity and Prefix table. Specifically, we want to help students in solving questions related to basic quantities and unit conversions through the Prefix-Kit method. Observations and pre-tests were done as an initial survey while post-tests were used to measure students' mastery levels after the intervention of this study. The results of the preliminary survey show that students are not good at unit conversion because it is difficult to remember the Prefix and Base Quantity table. Therefore, the Prefix-Kit method was introduced. Prefix-kit contains a set of flashcard decks that are loaded into the Ankidroid application. This application has 22 flashcards that contain questions and answers related to prefix and base quantity. After the Prefix-Kit method was used, the results of the post test showed that the students' performance had improved. The findings of the study show that the students' level of mastery in memorizing the Base Quantity and Prefix table was also increased. These students were able to solve basic quantity and unit conversion questions accurately without using any references. Overall, the Prefix-Kit method succeeded in producing an intervention that had a positive effect on teaching and learning for the topic being studied. This is proven that the introduction of unit conversion skills using the Prefix-Kit method can improve students’ achievement compared to traditional teaching and learning method (chalk and talk).
Investigations of Complimentary Split Ring Resonator (CSSR) as Viscometer for Engine Oils
Engine oils or lubricating oils are used to reduce friction and wear by interposing a film of material between rubbing surfaces. Meanwhile, a viscometer is an instrument used to identify the resistance of a fluid to shear or tensile stress. Therefore, the material property of viscosity is important in analyzing many engineering situations, specifically in the automation industries that utilizing engine oils that are associated with the functionality or performance of vehicles and machinery. Hence, this work aims to design and fabricate a Complementary Split Ring Resonator (CSRR) sensor to measure the viscosity of different types of engine oils by evaluating their dielectric properties. The CSRR is used to measure the dielectric property of engine oils and establish the relationship between viscosity and dielectric properties. The findings show the lowest viscosity oil produces the lowest dielectric constant values and the highest viscosity oil has the highest dielectric constant values. These results gained enable the possibility of distinguishing the oil engine oils based on their dielectric properties. Therefore, future works on a more comprehensive study can be conducted by purchasing various engine oils that are available in the Malaysian market.
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