Dr. Zainal Ariffin Ahmad Academy of Sciences

3rd International Higher Education Teaching and Learning Conference
2015
Dr. Zainal Ariffin Ahmad
Academy of Sciences Malaysia
drzaba2012@gmail.com
Dr. Zainal Ariffin Ahmad (Retired Professor 1 June 2015)
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) 1994, M.B.A. 1989,
B.Sc. 1987, Northern Illinois University
Deputy Dean, College of Graduate Studies and Head, Graduate Business School, Universiti Tenaga
Nasional (UNITEN) 2011-2015
Associate Fellow, Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) and Chair, National R&D Survey, 2015
Chair, Expert Working Group for Social Sciences & Humanities, National Science & Research Council,
2011-2014
E-ScienceFund Grant Evaluator, MOSTI, 2010-2015
FRGS/ERGS Grant Evaluator, MOE, 2012-2015
Visiting Research Fellow, University of New South Wales, 2009-2011
Anugerah Akademik Negara – Recipient of the National Academic Award for Teaching in Applied Arts &
Social Sciences, 2008
Panel Assessor, Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), 2007-present
Recipient of the Universiti Sains Malaysia Outstanding Educators Award ,2007
Head, Business Research for Applied Innovations in Neurosciences (BRAIN) Lab, 2007
Graduate School of Business, & Human Development Lab, School of Management, USM, 2009
25 years as Trainer, Consultant and Coach at Northern Illinois University (NIU) (1989-1994),
Universiti Sains Malaysia (1994-2010), & UNITEN (2010-2015)
Abstract
High impact learner engagement is supposed to improve student outcomes, but how
do we know for sure that “engagement = learning”?
With the myriad of pedagogies and equally sophisticated range of assessment
methods, teaching and learning in higher education is becoming very challenging
when we are asked to prove and demonstrate the effectiveness of our high-impact
learner engagement practices.
Let’s rethink, deliberate and share best practices in teaching and learning,
assessments, and research in our respective fields that encourages learner
engagement.
I will share some of my observations on the best practices in learner engagement and
assessment from the recipients of the Malaysian National Academic Award for
Teaching (Anugerah Akademik Negara).
Taking lessons from design thinking, educators in higher education can explore
strategies for learner-centred pedagogies and assessments.
Design Thinking – Ideation Model
Collaborative Learning Laboratory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7sEoEvT8l8
Design thinking (DT) is a user-centered design process.
A sustained learning on-the-go laboratory based on
Stanford’s Design Thinking Ideation Model.
Design Thinking and Engagement
The DT process first defines the problem and then
implements the solutions, always with the needs of
the user demographic at the core of concept
development.
This process focuses on need-finding, creating,
thinking and doing by engaging the learners.
At the core of this process is a bias towards action and
creation: by creating and testing something, you can
continue to learn and improve on your initial ideas.
Applying DT in HE T&L
(Evidence from AAN winners)
E
N
EMPATHY
Focus on students
learning
e.g. Student
Centred Learning
Active Learning
A S
G
A
G
E
DEFINE
IDEATE
Connect students
to real world
issues
Brainstorm based
on prior
knowledge and
experiences
e.g. Case Studies
E
S
S
http://jpt.mohe.gov.my/aan/penerima.html
E
N
T
PROTOTYPE
TEST
Implement,
evaluate, and
reflect on action
Apply solution
e.g. Problem
Based Learning
e.g. Problem
Based Learning
Focus Group
Discussion
S
M
e.g. Practicum
Blended learning
M
E
N
T
Anugerah Akademik Negara
National Academic Award
Anugerah Tokoh Akademik Negara
Anugerah Penerbitan Makalah Jurnal
Anugerah Penerbitan Buku
Anugerah Inovasi dan Pengkomersialan Produk
Anugerah Seni dan Kreativiti
Anugerah Pengajaran
Anugerah Ahli Akademik Harapan
http://jpt.mohe.gov.my/aan/kategori.htm
Criteria for AAN Teaching Award
T&L philosophy.
Overall strategy for teaching method,
supervision and assessment.
Creativity* and innovation**in T&L and
assessment.
Impact of the innovation on quality of
learning.
Teaching assessment and testimonial.
T&L improvement (teaching method,
supervision and assessment) through
reflection and research.
Scholarship in T&L and professional
development.
http://jpt.mohe.gov.my/aan/anugerah6.htm
*Creativity –
generation of new idea or technique
or strategy in T&L and assessment.
Creativity is measured based on the
newness/ novelty of the idea and the
usage of new elements such as
technology or ICT in T&L and
assessment.
**Innovation –
effort in adding value in T&L and
assessment for courses being taught.
The success of the innovation is
measured based on the impact on
motivation and quality of learning.
TEACHING AWARD
ANUGERAH AKADEMIK NEGARA
Recipients
Year
2014
Evidences
Arts and Social Sciences
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Raja Nor Safinas Raja Harun
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) - TESL
Coaching for learning, integrated portfolio
designing e-book/e-portfolio
Assoc. Prof. Fatimah binti P uteh
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) - TESL
Active learning, lifelong learning, studentcentred learning, problem-based learning
Applied Arts and Applied Social Sciences
Prof. Dr. Jayakaran Mukundan
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) - TESL
7E (Employ, Experiment, Energize, Enthuse
& Enthrall, Engage, Empower, Enchant)
Arts and Social Sciences
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Raihanah Mohd Mydin
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) - TESL
2013
Applied Sciences
Mr. Lim Chee Leong
Taylor's University, - E-learning
-
Active learning (1 minute response, young
scholars’ conference), lifelong learning,
authentic learning and assessment
3E (Enhance, Engage, Enrich), e-learning
assessment (use your own device),
collaborative learning, flipped classroom
HEBAT (Holistic Experiences with Blended-learning usingTechnology)
SHINE (System for Holistic and INntegrated E-learning)
2012
No Recipient for 2012 and 2011
2011
TEACHING AWARD
ANUGERAH AKADEMIK NEGARA
Year
Recipients
Evidences
Medical Sciences
Dato’ Prof. Dr. Mohamed Shariff Mohamed Din
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) - Fisheries
Site visits, in-situ practicum training, researchbased, pioneer in fisheries science
Pure Sciences
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jaafar bin Jantan
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) - physics
Active learning, student-centred learning
Applied Arts and Applied Social Sciences
2010 Dr. Lee Ai Choo
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) – sports
rehabilataion science
Arts and Social Sciences
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Shatar bin Sabran
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) – Human Ecology
Engineering
Assoc. Prof. Ir. Hayati binti Abdullah
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) – Engineering
Multi-sensory Balance Training Program, pioneer in
Rehabilitation Science in UPSI
Learn by Seeing, Learn by Doing, human
development
Outcome Based Education, Course without Border,
industry based via visitation, in situ class, case
study, problem-based assignment, Competitionbased Learning
TEACHING AWARD
ANUGERAH AKADEMIK NEGARA
Year
Recipients
Medical Sciences
2009 Dato' Prof. Dr. Raymond Azman Ali
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) – Medical
Arts and Social Sciences
Prof. Dr. Zainal Ariffin bin Ahmad
Universiti Sains Malaysia(USM) - Management
2008
Evidences
“Teaching educates the teacher”, inculcating careerbased training (detective, lawyer, doctor), humor and
focus on muddiest concept.
Adult education principles, utilizing animated films,
traditional literature, shadowing,, problem- based
learning, case study, literature review, role play (P.
Ramlee movies), social media, mock-viva, industry
speakers, coaching and co-learner, vicarious learning,
neurofeedback,
Applied Arts and Applied Social Sciences
IT and technology in teaching, research into teaching,
Prof. Dr. Abd Karim Alias
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) – Food Technology real case problem, video from Japanese industry,
publications and final year projects
2007 No Recipient
Student centred learning, group assignments (thinkpair-share, jigsaw, snowball, mini demo competition,
Engineering
ill-posed problem, practical training, on-site visits,
Dr. Aisyah binti Abu Bakar
Learning beyond Classroom
Universiti Malaya (UM) - Engineering
Cyber-based learning, online forum, self-access quiz.
2006
VirTEC Virtual Teacher Education for ASEAN/Malaysia
Applied Arts and Applied Social Sciences
Online Resource Centre for TESL, online courses, WeBProf. Dr. Mohamed Amin Embi
CEPT (Web-based Creating, Editing, Publishing Tool)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) – Education
E-MAS (e-Learning Management System), SalMAS
(Self-access Learning Management System)
In terms of
Engagement/Assessment:
What challenges do lecturers face in their classroom?
What challenges do students face in your class?
How do you handle these challenges?
Can Design Thinking help?
Emphatize
Work to fully understand
the experiences of the
user for whom you are
designing.
How can you/your
students empathize?
Do this through
observation, interaction,
and immersing yourself
in their experiences.
How do you measure
empathy?
Define
Process and synthesize
the findings from your
empathy work in order
to form a user point of
view that you will
address with your design
How would you facilitate
this in your class?
How do you assess the
process in designing?
Ideate
Explore a wide variety of
possible solutions
through generating a
large quantity of diverse
possible solutions,
allowing you to step
beyond the obvious and
explore a range of ideas.
How would you facilitate
brainstorming with your
students?
How do you assess the
quality of the idea/
process?
Prototype
Transform your ideas
into a physical form so
that you can experience
and interact with them,
and in the process, learn
and develop more
empathy.
How would you
materialize the idea?
How do you assess
(criteria) the prototype?
Test
Try out high-resolution
products and use
observations and
feedback to refine
prototypes, learn more
about the user, and
refine your original point
of view.
How would you/your
students test out the
idea?
How would you assess
the refinement?
In summary, Key Concepts…
Conclusion & Sharing
What does Design Thinking mean to you?
How might Design Thinking encourage learner
engagement?
How would assessment of learner engagement be
carried out?
References
Plattner, H., Meinel, C. & Leifer, L. (2015). Design
Thinking Research: Building Innovators (Eds.). Institute
of Design at Stanford.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7sEoEvT8l8
http://jpt.mohe.gov.my/aan/penerima.html