Pelaksanaan sistem modular dalam kursus amalan bengkel mesin di Sekolah Menengah Teknik Zon Selatan Malaysia

Abstract

This study was carried out to identify the implementation of modular system in Machine Shop Practices course at Technical Schools in the South Malaysia Zone. Six research questions were formulated to study five aspects of implementation of modular system which includes usage of modules, teacher role’s, management tools, school preparations and evaluation methods. Eleven Technical Schools with 59 Machine Shop Practices course teachers were involved in this survey. Data was obtained through questionnaire and interviews among Machine Shop Practices teachers. Data was then analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. The results of the study showed that the modular system was not implemented according to the guidelines especially towards the usage of modules where no self-directed learning was applied. Most Machine Shop Practices teachers, faced problems in managing workshops and maintaining equipment. The Machine Shop Application teachers also lacked of knowledge in teaching using modules; not familiar with the latest technological development and did not give students the opportunity to choose which modules they wanted to start first. Results also showed that most technical schools did not organize in-house training for teachers to gain knowledge in teaching using modules. Majority of the technical schools did not prepare enough equipment for teaching using modules. It was found that competency based evaluation was carried out by the teachers. The study also found that shortage of teachers resulted in failure to apply self-directed learning modules indeed, the Machine Shop Practices teachers perceived that the implementation of the modular system did not help students in gaining additional skills during practical activities.