Asynchronous Electronic Discussion Group: Analysis of Postings and Perception of In-service Teachers

• Main Authors: Lim , Tina Swee Kim, Wong , Kiet Wah, Tan , Ai Lee
• Format: Article
• Published: Anadolu University 2007
• Online Access: https://tojde.anadolu.edu.tr/tojde25/articles/Article_2.htm; http://library.oum.edu.my/repository/698/

In the recent years, the concept of life-long learning has taken its roots among Malaysian teachers. As more and higher institutions of learning offer programs for adult learners, the populations of teachers who aspire to upgrade their professional and academic qualifications have the opportunity to enroll in distance learning programs without having to put their careers on hold. One such higher institution of learning in Malaysia that caters to such needs is the Open University Malaysia (OUM). One of the courses conducted by OUM in collaboration with the Teacher Education Division, Ministry of Education, Malaysia is a 14-week Bachelor Degree in Teaching preparatory in-service course whose participants are non-graduate teachers. During the 14-week duration, college lecturers in various teacher training colleges/institutions throughout Malaysia conduct the teaching. OUM functions as the coordinator and also monitors the course, the teaching staff and learning facilities. In the process of earning credits, participants of this program are registered as OUM students. This allows the National Accreditation Board (LAN) to acknowledge teacher training colleges/institutions as OUM Learning Centers. In addition, the earned credits will be recognized as partial fulfillment for a Bachelor Degree in Teaching. The course requires students to take seven subjects, that is, Professional Ethics, English for Oral Communication, English for Workplace Communication or English for Science and Technology, English for Written Communication; and Basic Education subjects, that is, Educational Psychology, Guidance and Counselling, and Educational Technology Principles. The concept of self-directed learning plays a vital role in this program. As students will undergo various modes of instruction, such as using modules and CDs, experiencing face-to-face interactions, being involved in online discussions and accessing the digital library, self-motivation, self-regulation and personal efforts are key factors to successful and meaningful intellectual and professional development. In order to encourage the course participants to go online for the electronic discussion (also known officially as the online forum in this course), marks of up to a maximum of five (two for frequency and three for quality), are awarded by online tutors based on frequency and quality of contribution. In this aspect, the role of the online tutor is to facilitate discussions, help learners to understand content better and motivate learners to achieve their potential. Dialogue sessions over the Internet are deemed to be “two-way and highly interactive” (OUM, 2003). (Abstract by authors)