The main purpose of this paper is to outline a systematic procedure in developing and validating a competency model and instrument to measure competency for Chefs who works in the hotel industry in Malaysia. Reviewing previous studies in the development and validation of competency models and measurement instrument for a profession had demonstrates that the methodological process starts with the identification of competency constructs and statements from literature review, document analysis and interviewing. The process is furthered by acquiring consensus from expert panel for content validity and questionnaire survey in order to validate the competency model. The methodological aspects described in this paper will present both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
The burgeoning of green economies has sparked the development of green skills, primarily to fulfil the demanding requirement of green-collar employees. Human resources equipped with specific generic green skills will become a catalyst to penetrate the green job market. On the principle that skills can be shaped through education and training, a qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interviews with senior academics from the School of Education, of a local university in southern Peninsular Malaysia. The interview data were transcribed and analysed using NVivo. The findings showed that generic green skills are additional skills which complement existing generic skills and focus on conserving and maintaining the quality of the environment. Pertaining to that, embedding generic green skills in teaching and learning activities can be carried out through the ingenuous use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) which involves digital skill, internet technology and electricity saving consumption. Furthermore, additional studies of generic green skills are required to contribute to sustainable development.
Data Handling at primary school involves gathering and recording information and then presenting it in a way that is meaningful to others. It is a fundamental part of student's mathematical understanding. Initial concepts of Data Handling need to be exposed to students in the early years as these skills will be used and built upon throughout their education. Due to its importance, Data Handling is included in the curriculum at primary level in Malaysia. However results of international assessments which focused on the use of higher order thinking skills showed that Malaysian students performed poorly in Data Handling. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify students’ learning difficulties in Data Handling at each level of higher order thinking skills (HOTS) namely applying, analysing, evaluating and creating. In addition, this study also investigated the use of smart board in overcoming HOTS learning difficulties in Data Handling. Numerous teachers recommend the use of smart board at primary schools since students have the opportunity to explore and learn novel concepts using the technology. Subsequently, it helps to generate dynamic learning experiences and student in school become more motivated about learning when the smart board is used during their lessons. Four experienced year five mathematics teachers and thirty year five students from a primary school were involved in the study. The students and teachers were selected based on purposive sampling. An interview protocol and rubric for cognitive domain in HOTS were used during the data collection phase. In addition, semi-structured interview sessions with the teachers and students as well as document analysis of the students’ mathematics exercise sheets in Data Handling were carried out by the researcher to investigate the students’ learning difficulties at each level of HOTS in Data Handling. It is hoped that the results from this study can contribute towards development of strategies, methods or programs using smart board to enhance HOTS in Data Handling among primary school students in Malaysia.
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