Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Six Dimension Worksheet

Associate Level Material Six Dimensions of Health Worksheet Part 1 For each of the following six dimensions of health, list at least one characteristic, activity, belief, or attitude that reflects that dimension in your life. Provide a brief explanation with each example. Refer to Ch. 1 in the text for explanations of these dimensions. Physical health: Exercising daily is an activity that helps Social health: An activity that reflects social health would have to be interactions with other people. If you are an antisocial person then you will end up being depressed.Intellectual health: An activity that reflects intellectual health is thinking clearly. If you can’t think clearly then you will not be able to make decisions in life. Environmental health: The way that you treat your environment around you. When you recycle you are making a decision to help the environment. Emotional health: An activity that reflects ones emotional health would be expressing your feelings. If I†™m angry I keep my thoughts to myself so I won’t hurt anybody’s feelings. Spiritual health: Spiritual health involves your belief. Praying regularly is an activity that you do daily to strengthen your spiritual health.Part 2 In approximately 125 to 200 words, describe health and wellness in your own words using the ideas and concepts for each of the six dimensions of health. Your overall health is a reflection on your physical, intellectual, environmental, social, spiritual, and emotional health. If you maintain all six dimension of health then you are creating a healthy life for yourself. Taking care of yourself physically will increase your longevity. You can do this by eating healthy, exercising daily and regular doctor visits. You can be very social if you communicate with people on a daily basis.

Inside Man

Sitting in a dark, cramped cell he waited. There was a lot of difference between a prison and a tiny cell. As he waited, his mind drifted back to how he had come to be here . . . No one noticed the four painters as they slipped through the huge, glass door of the bank. No one even gave them a second glance. So no one realised when they barred the doors of the bank. The security cameras had already been disabled and guns had now silently been slipped out of the pockets into the hands of the painters. They signalled to each other. A shot was fired into the air. Everyone froze. Then the screaming started. â€Å"EVERYBODY GET DOWN ON THE FLOOR NOW! YOU HAVE FOUR SECONDS. IF YOU'RE STILL STANDING WE SHOOT!† Within an hour the people in the bank- customers, employees, security guards now all hostages- had been gathered into several different rooms. The painters had changed into grey jumpsuits that covered every inch of their bodies. Their faces were covered by latex masks, their eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses. Identical clothes had been shoved into each hostages face. â€Å"Take off your clothes and put these on. Put any keys, weapons, mobile phones, any forms of communication into this bag NOW. Listen to us and no one gets hurt.† ordered the leader of the bank robbers. His voice was calm but laced with menace. Hands shaking, the hostages began to strip off their clothes. Only a few had refused to do what the robber had asked but then had obligingly- and wisely- followed instructions when one of them had been dragged through the door, kicking and screaming and the others had hand guns pointed at their heads. None of the hostages knew what had happened to the man that had been taken out. Two hours later, a phone had rung. The robber had picked it up. They had heard a sickening gunshot. Silence filled the room. The gunshot echoed off the walls. They could guess. Outside, a cluster of people- police, firemen, paramedics, reporters, gathered around the building. All of them wringed their hands and wiped their brows in desperation. â€Å"Detective Frazier is there any more news?† asked a young officer. He was inexperienced. It showed in the way he moved from one foot to the other, agitatedly and by the nervous expression he wore on his face. â€Å"No. We only have the note the robbers have given us. We have to be careful in a situation like this. There are lives at stake.† Detective Frazier replied evenly. He looked calm and he spoke calmly but inside he was in turmoil. If this ended in disaster he would get the blame. The young officer nodded and backed away. As he turned, he glanced curiously behind his shoulder, at the detective. Detective Frazier was staring grimly at the bank. Worry tinged his grave features. Sighing, he took out his phone. He would have to cancel his plans. It was going to be a long night. . . The phone rang. The lead robber picked it up. â€Å"I'm surprised you didn't call sooner,† he said. â€Å"We've been a little busy,† Detective Frazier retorted on the other end of the line, â€Å"How do you plan to pull this off? How are you gonna escape?† â€Å"I'm going to walk straight out of this door.† The robber replied coolly. â€Å"Huh. We'll see. So far you've let out four hostages but you haven't shot anyone. One of our men tried to get in, you didn't kill him either. I don't think you're a killer.† Frazier surmised. â€Å"Only if provoked. Why don't you turn around?† said the robber. Frazier did not like the sinister edge in his voice. He spun round. One of the disabled surveillance cameras was working again. The robber waved. In front of him was seemingly a man, bound up, with a bag over his head. Frazier's colleges looked at him in panic. â€Å"Now let's be rational about this.† Frazier said into the phone. There was no one on the other end. The detective's heart raced and his stomach sank. No. It was too late. He closed his eyes as he heard the gunshot. He didn't want to look at all the blood and brains strewn across the floor, so he kept his eyes down, away from the screen. . . Detective Frazier sat, studying he written note the robbers had given him. A tall man barged through the door. â€Å"That's it. I'm going in. I'm not gonna stand here and watch innocent people get killed.† he roared. â€Å"Case, don't. We don't know what we're dealing with here. You can' even tell the difference between the bank robbers and the hostages.† Frazier warned him. â€Å"I don't care. I'm taking the team in. We're using rubber bullets and we're knocking everyone out, bank robber or not.† Case shouted hotly. He stormed out. Frazier's heart skipped a beat as he noticed the microscopic transmitter attached to the paper. They had heard everything. â€Å"Russell, they're getting an ESU team into action. They'll be here in less then five minutes but we're ready.† a female bank robber said to their leader. â€Å"Alright. Everybody assume positions.† he ordered. He reached for the smoke bombs. The ESU unit rammed through the door. They tensely held their guns and their breath as they tried to squint through the veil of thick smoke. They heard a faint noise, it grew louder and louder. Five hundred hostages or robbers rushed through, straight at them, running frantically to the doors. They burst outside, screaming, tear-stricken. â€Å"GET DOWN NOW! HANDS BEHIND YOUR HEADS ON THE FLOOR!† screamed a commander aiming his gun. Two weeks later the case was dropped. The bank robbers had swapped with the hostages at different intervals during the robbery so no one had been able to be identified. Nothing had been stolen. Russell glanced at his watch. It was time to escape. He slid the fake wall open and slipped through the crack. Russell walked down the passages and hallways of the bank. Then, with a small sack off priceless diamonds in his pocket, he stepped straight through the front doors.

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Diet Analysis Paper

The three-day diet analysis was interesting. There were many positive attributes to it and definitely negative ones. Over the course of the three days, which were Friday, Saturday and Sunday: and figured this would give a good depiction of what I was consuming on a regular basis. In some places I was consuming more than I should be and in some I was consuming less than I should be. There were also those places were I was getting just the right amount. It is so interesting to me to be able to find out what I am consuming and how I am consuming it. Being an active male, it was most interesting of what I ate, what my average of the three days were, and the plan on how I would correct the way I eat to make it a more healthier lifestyle. My Pyramid was not that shocking, when I saw Grains, fruits, vegetables, milk, meat, and bean intake compared to the recommendation. Personally, it made sense of what I was meeting and what I was missing, yet, have done nothing about it. I love my grains, even though I am a celiac. I do not really follow the guidelines and still chose to eat a lot of grains. This was at 10. Oz and I met the required intake for grains. The vegetables I tend to eat are broccoli, carrots, and from time to time I eat cauliflower. So, I was at 1. 2 cups of vegetables compared to the recommended intake of 4. 0 cups. I already knew I hardly reach the fruit intake that happened to be zero percent. I have never been a big fruit person, besides eating apples to keep the doctors away. Got milk? Of course, I always drink my milk when I eat all the grains out of the cereal bowl. Thus, I was at 1. 5 cups compared to 3. 0 cups of the recommended intake. Lastly, meat and beans I was at 5. 5 oz and cheated, because I ate at taco bell! Overall, the above groups did not surprise me and did show me how far I still was to reaching the food-list compared to the latest USDA Dietary guidelines. My actual intake for Protein was at 83. 30 grams and exceeded the recommended by 8. 91 grams. When looking at the meal assessment, lunch was when I received the most protein during my three-day analysis. I normally eat out during lunch, because I am either at school or work and it is convenient. I usually do not think of whether or not I am cooking the right foods that have a good amount of protein at dinnertime, and rely on fast-food chains. Since, I am over on my protein intake I am not worried about having to rely on fast-food to get the appropriate amount my body needs. Carbohydrates (carb) for me were at 206. 36 grams when it should be at 554. 37 grams, so not exactly where I need to be. Again, my carb intake was the highest during lunchtime. The foods highest in carbs high in starch or sugar would be found in the grains (Cinnamon Toast Crunch), starchy potatoes (French fries), and any foods with added sugar. Low carb foods I consumed were the meat (lunch and dinner), eggs (breakfast), and the small portion of vegetables (broccoli and carrots). Total fat was 63. 9 grams compared the 125. 43 grams of total fat recommended. Also, my saturated fat was 18. 16 grams when listed at 40. 32 grams of recommended intake. Not too sure on fats, except from the fact that the key is to replace bad fats (saturated and trans) with good fats (poly and monouns) in our diet. Knowing which fats will raise my LDL cholesterol and which ones will not is the first step to lowering my family’s history of heart disease. Cholesterol was 254. 51 mg, which was very close to my recommended intake. If there is one thing I learned so far this semester, it is to eat foods that are low in cholesterol, saturated fat, and free of trans fat. I have never had a screening done before, yet, seeing that my Cholesterol was fairly high, I might reconsider. Being an athlete I know I can use all the fiber I can get to keep my digestive system clean. During the three-days, I only took in 17. 20 grams and I should be consuming at least 56. 44 grams. Fiber can be found in fruit (I did not eat during the trial), vegetables (I ate very little), and wheat foods that were most likely the main source I got the fiber from. On an infomercial with Montel was selling his new â€Å"Health Master† blending machine. During his spiel, he started talking about how the majority of us add salt to foods that already have a good source of salt. I found it interesting, because I know I do this when I get chips or chili. From what I got, the key to healthy eating is choosing foods lower in salt, sodium, and try to not add extra salt to foods (unless your mother’s cooking is bland). Well, I had a very high intake of sodium of 2,730. 78 mg when it should have been at 2,300 mg. I usually stop by the blood pressure machine when at the grocery store and it tends to be good. So, I am not too worried about having to choose a low-sodium diet, unless it becomes a trend when being over my intake level. Astonishingly, my vitamin intake was really good, and I am somewhat surprised by that. There were only two Vitamins I was low in enough to talk about were vitamin C at 69. 19 mg Folate, which was at 273. 60 mcg of my recommendation of 400 mcg. Minerals seemed to be average for me, with potassium, magnesium, and calcium (I have to take extra by pill form) being the lowest out of the eight listest on the report. Calories, calories from fat, and calories from Saturated fat were all low for me as well. I am a guy and unfortutely I do not count my calories, however, I have a cool application on the I-phone that is a calorie counter! The diet analysis opened my eyes and realized that I do not know what I am really doing to my body. My feelings are different after finding out the true facts. Knowledge is the key to a healthier lifestyle, and the diet analysis program has helped a lot. Goals I need to set for myself are balancing out what I am eating, try to learn as much as I can on the subject of nutrition, and be more aware of what options are available to me when I go out to eat during lunch (smaller portions). Those are problems that I would like for my to correct.

Monday, July 29, 2019

Philosophy of Life Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Philosophy of Life - Personal Statement Example As a student, I rarely had an opportunity to utilize my skills and abilities in Mathematics as the teachers were not aware of the ability of the students to learn the subject in meaningful way and I always wished for opportunities to prove myself. Therefore, I propose problem-centered learning which gives the maximum scope for students to demonstrate their understanding of the mathematical problems and I deeply believe in their innate ability. This approach has been found a motivating and commandingapproachtoteachingmathematics and my experience with the approach proves how effectively problem-centered learning can be implemented. It is most significant that the learner best acquires Mathematical competence through his practical expertise. Therefore, based on my experiences, I advocate an innovative and theoretical approach to teaching of Mathematics where the role of the learner is greatly important and there should be drastic changes in the traditional thinking about the learner's ability.

Sunday, July 28, 2019

Construction assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Construction assignment - Essay Example It overlooks the Thames. It lies between the Houses of Parliament and St. Paul`s Cathedral. It is opposite to the Royal Courts of Justice. It is within five minutes walk of the Covent Garden, West End theatres and Trafalgar Square. The building is a 13 storied structure, and has 4 basement levels. The building is made of concrete and inflexible blockwork partitions. The floor to ceiling height is high. Roofs have valley gutters. Iron cramps have been inserted in masonry to bind the blocks together. Bonding timbers have been used in external brick and stone walls. The facade build-up includes glazed infill cladding. There are windows, and the flooring made of wood. The blockwork is inflexible, requiring extensive works. The facade are worn out. The facade are leaky allowing water ingress and air infiltration. VAV dual duct ventilation with open able windows caused high energy consumption. The environmental performance was poor. There are DDA and fire compliance issues. The top three floors were completely gutted. Access for fire escape and fire brigade was poor. Facade, building services and DDA access were not compliant. Major defects have been included in the table below. The occupants gave a negative feedback regarding the internal environment including noise and air pollution. Routine maintenance includes work that has to be carried out at intervals for keeping the building in appropriate condition. There may be requirements for replacement or repairing an item necessitated by natural deterioration of normal wear and tear. According to Chanter and Swallow (2000), routine maintenance is five yearly external decorations and servicing of boilers. According to the Audit Commission, details of maintenance cycles have to be set with a balance between planned and responsive maintenance. The initial focus must be on replacements that could be expected instead of those considered avoidable. The routine replacement items must be identified at the outset

Saturday, July 27, 2019

Distinct Drivers for Change in ZExpress Assignment

Distinct Drivers for Change in ZExpress - Assignment Example Rockart defines it as: â€Å"the limited number of areas in which results if they are satisfactory, will ensure successful competitive performance for the business. They are all the vital areas where ‘things must go right’ for the business to flourish. (qt. in Harrison, et al, 1993 p418.) These drivers are also consistent with the four business goals of the organization as explained in the new CEO’s vision: â€Å"increase revenue, reduce costs, improved customer service, to be agile and responsive to the changes in customer’s and business’ needs across the world.† Establishing full global presence within the next six months in order to obtain a new and substantial business partner is a very important driver for ZExpress. This will determine whether Bonsai Motor Corporation’s partnership with the company for the distribution of accessories and spare parts of  µcron. The likely impact if ZExpress does not establish a full global presence within the next six months is that they would lose millions from the potential partnership with Bonsai Motor Corporation. This partnership would see ZExpress distributing accessories and spare parts for the  µcron. They would hold stocks of parts and guarantee delivery within 24 hours to any location in the world. This vehicle is very economical and should be in high demand as it is demonstrated to travel in excess of 120 miles on a US gallon of petrol. With the price of petrol where it is now, this is a good buy for someone who is interested in energy conservation. Innovation is important within the context of ZExpress to ensure real-time information and the reliability of the tracking system. The customer wants to be able to track the package to the delivery point within the specified time period.  

Friday, July 26, 2019

Conley vs.wilmut Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Conley vs.wilmut - Essay Example Conley stance is harsh and firm: human cloning should not be practiced because it interferes with God’s creation. Conversely, Professor Ian Wilmut is polite and puts himself on the hot seat to defend the practice. He remains objective and asks tough questions such as, if couples have been denied the right to procreate naturally, what is the harm in trying out new technology like human cloning (Wilmut, 2004). The topic on human cloning has brushed shoulders with high political icons and religious leaders. The ethical part has hit many headlines in the media world and raised eyebrows as to its interference with the natural process of human creation. Wilmut has remained extremely aggressive and has an ego driven attitude towards the whole process and the perception on human cloning (Conley, 1994). Human reproduction has occurred naturally since the dawn of time. However, with current advancements in technology and research, the potential for this to change is very high. Conley has done well to address the burning issue and has made great strides in evaluating the challenges that couples face when they are unable to conceive and bear (Conley, 1994) With his deep-rooted Roman Catholic beliefs, Conley remains a close-minded voice as to the effects of human cloning. Wilmut, on the other hand, is set on killing the stigma. Research has been done in hopes of solving some of these issues. Couples have been genetically challenged to have the right to live a life like any other normal human being (Wilmut, 2004). The pervasiveness of this discourse concerning  the dignity in  today’s world has  given  it a mask of the subject matter that has been  highly  contested and  made it vague. Wilmut has observed this in his sixth edition; this concept has become ubiquitous. Conley has claimed that cloning of human embryos has violated the sanctity of the human race. He recommends that it should not be

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Leukemia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Leukemia - Essay Example It might be chronic and acute (WebMd). Chronic leukemia deteriorates gradually and may not bring about manifestations for a considerable length of time (WebMd). This type of leukemia, which advances through the span of months to years, includes overproduction of mature white platelets that cannot function similar to typical white cells. Acute leukemia deteriorates quick and may make a person feel wiped out immediately. It grows inside of days to weeks, and expansive quantities of immature cells also called "blasts" develop (WebMd). These cells cannot work as typical white platelets, so individuals with intense leukemia are at a higher danger of contamination. Since the body is so caught up with delivering immature cells, it cannot produce the same number of red cells or platelets, which can bring about bleeding issues and anemia. Leukemias are likewise subdivided into the sort of influenced blood cell. By this division, leukemia might also be myelogenous and lymphocytic (WebMd). Myelogenous leukemia influences the other kind of cells that ordinarily get to be granulocytes, red platelets, or platelets. Lymphocytic (also called lymphoblastic) leukemia influences white platelets called lymphocytes (WebMd). On the off chance that the harmful change happens in the kind of marrow that makes lymphocytes, the sickness is called lymphocytic leukemia (WebMd). A lymphocyte is a sort of white cell inside a persons vertebrae insusceptible framework (WebMd). In the event that the malignant change happens in the kind of marrow cells that go ahead to deliver red platelets, different sorts of white cells, and platelets, the ailment is called myelogenous leukemia. The rate at which leukemia advances and how the cells supplant the typical blood and marrow cells are distinctive with every type of leukemia. Based on these divisions, there are four most common types of leukemia: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) frequently

Photojournalism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Photojournalism - Essay Example Narrative: The image adds to the clarity of events when combined with other stories and news elements and gives an insight to the person who is reading through or glancing at the pictures. Important war zones of the US such as Vietnam was an example of how photojournalists could influence public opinion. There are certain marked characteristics that distinguish photojournalists from other photographers. One of the most important distinguishing factors is their capability to make instant decisions. They are always on the move and carry all their heavy equipment with them all the while. They are alert and think with the tip of their fingers as to which frame in time has to be preserved for posterity and for the world to see. They face the same risk and dangers as any serious journalist such as when at the war front or in the middle of a rioting crowd. They also lack the option to wait and watch for the worst to pass since they have to throw themselves in to the middle of the action if they are to make any good pictures. In fact, they take more risks and face far more dangerous situations that a conventional journalist. As a descriptive term, photojournalism refers to the genre of photography that bears the distinct characteristics of that produced by photojournalists. A large number of commercial and fashion photographers today prefer to adapt this style into their works. Photojournalistic style has been widely accepted as the standard format in fashion photography as well as in event coverage such as marriages and child ceremonies. Commercial photography is keenly taking on the garbs of photojournalistic style to bring in more room for innovation as well as to increase public appeal for their works. The term photojournalism was coined by none other than the famed professor of communication studies, Cliff Edom (1907-1991), who taught at the University of Missouri School of Journalism for 29 years. He is credited with the first establishment of a professional programme for photojournalism in 1946. The practice of printing press and the growth of print journalism and the print media brought to focus the importance of the media and role of photography in media. Since written language could be manipulated to any extent whereas a photograph could not, it added to the weightage of the newly introduced genre of photography. Early news photographs required the pictures to be reconstructed by an engraver before it could be published. The battlefield pictures captured by the famous reporters such as William Simpson of the Illustrated London News and Roger Fenton had to be published as engravings. The public craved for more realistic representations of the pictures that go along with the news stories. Most newspaper companies were looking for trained photographers to be put to cover the wars and thereby report from the front, giving a new dimension to public imagination. There

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Critique Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 9

Critique - Essay Example There have been various incidences where music has been used asan important therapeutic tool for people suffering from mental and other kinds of health diseases and challenges (Bayley, 2010). People’s tastes and preferences for music varies from one group to another. While some opt to listen to live bands and presentations, others prefer listening to music that is recorded, as they point out that this experience allows them to listen to it repeatedly. This paper examines the concept of recorded music and how it is influencing people’s preference for leisure. It focuses on ome of the advanatges that accompny recorded music for both artists and their respective audiences; additionally, it examines how technology is influencing the music industry. Music recording refers to the process of re-creation and inscription of different forms of sound waves like singing, spoken voice, sound effects and instrumental music. Music can be recorded in two main ways, either in analog or digital systems. Analog recording is often facilitated by a microphone, which has the ability to detect and pick sound waves, thus recording them as graphic representations of the particular sound waves. Analog music recording was commonly used many decades ago before the invention of effective and efficient systems of music recording, it can store music for a long time and be listened to and watched in different places easily (Cook, 2009). Digital recording, which is an advanced form of the analog music converts analog sound waves and signals picked up by a microphone into digital forms through the digitization process. In all forms, digitally recorded music is often regarded as being of high quality compared to music recorded by analog systems. Currently, various storage devices have been developed by different companies to enable people to carry recorded music to different places

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 67

Journal - Essay Example On the contrary, reading books encourage readers to slow down and think about what is being communicated by the author. Consequently, there is a relationship that is formed between the reader and the author. Moreover, the reader is able to empathize with characters in novels which make them able to understand other people’s feelings and thoughts. Therefore, Paul suggests that reading novels and other printed reading materials can make people smarter and better social beings. In order to make her readers take the matter seriously, Paul opens her article with a statement made by Gregory Currie, a professor of philosophy at the University of Nottingham in the New York Times. This background establishes that the argument Paul is about to present is worth delving into. Right on the second paragraph, the author shows that the professor’s claim contradict what studies show, making the article more intriguing and interesting. Throughout the article, Paul cites examples which validate her claims. She maintains a serious and passionate tone as she explains the importance of the subject matter at hand and why readers should also consider her arguments in the same

Monday, July 22, 2019

The Presence of Black People in the Bible Essay Example for Free

The Presence of Black People in the Bible Essay Although not very important, I took the liberty this past month(Black History) to document my research to the age old question, Was Jesus Black, after a small debate with my auntie Angelina Quarterman arguing that He was a Jew, and Jews are White(lol). The typical Hollywood image in which ancient Israelites look like fair-haired White Americans is way off the mark. The people of the bible were Semitic(Afro-Asiatic languages) and would have been dark- skinned. The racial emnity equating Black with evil was an unfortunate development in later Europe, devised in part to justify African slavery. This topic of course has been a discussion almost since the introduction of Christianity to the western world. What color was Jesus Christ? I challenge those who may believe that Jesus was of White, Arabic, or Semitic(which doesnt consitute a race, but a group of languages and culture) descent to do some research. We must first begin by understanding that the first humans were black and were discovered in what is known today as Africa ( Akebu-Lan, which means Mother of Mankind to the natives of Africa or Garden of Eden). This name for Africa (Alkebu-Lan) was given to the continent by the Moors, Nubians, Numidians, Khart-Haddans (Carthagenians), and Ethiopians. The Muslims called it El Bilad es Sudan which translates as Land of the Blacks. You must also note that Africa was a name given by European conquerors, particularly the Romans/Greeks. There are many other names that Africa has been called by such as Kemet, Libya, Ortegia, Corphye, Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, Olympia, Hesperia, Oceania, and Ta-Merry. It was even called Aethiops which meant burnt faced people in Greek. Many also do not know that the original Hebrews were black-skinned people. Today we have terms used to describe blacks such as Negro or African which does little to say or prove the roots of black or darker skinned people. The term Negro was given to Blacks as they left Africa for the slave ships (ca. 1500 A. D. ). Negroland was also used by the Portuguese which means black land of course. This term was used to save them from having to call them by their true roots, which were Cushites, Nubians, Ethiopians, or Abysinians, in which they are called by in the Bible. These people were the founders of Christianity and Judaism in Alkebu-Lan, North Alkebu-Lan and Europe. What we have today is Western bias which has thwarted the history of the black race and it takes great study to get back to the truth. Even Moses (who married an Ethiopian woman) is commonly portrayed as an Eurasian or European. You also have people like Tirhaka, King of the Ethiopians, and as a Pharaoh was the fourth member of the Twenty-fifth Egyptian Dynasty that ruled Egypt from (730-653 B. C.). This man is commonly portrayed as European or White. Tirhaka was of grave importance to Israel in the days of Hezekiah. His armies were needed to stave off an impending Assyrian assault by Sennacherib. Furthermore we arrive at the question; What did Jesus of Nazareth look like? His Mother Mary was black/afro-asiatic and closely resembled those of Yeminite, Trinidadian, or African American descent of today. The perception of the Madonna and Child can also be challenged. In Matt 2:15 and Hos 11:1 we find Out of Egypt, I have called my son. This particular passage speaks about Mary and Josephs attempt to hide the one that King Herod feared would displace him. Can you imagine the divine family as Europeans hiding in AFRICA?!? There are literally hundreds of Shrines that depict the Black Madonna in many parts of North Africa, Europe, and Russia. These are but uncanny reminders of the original people who inhabited ancient Palestine. Watercolors and marvelous oils of the painters brush has recast the image and rebirth Jesus as a European. Medieval and renaissance artists (such as Michaelangelo) made him suitable for a European form of Christianity. You even had people like Shakespeare have a hand in editing the the King James Version of the Bible. Again people will argue Jesus was Semitic, but again this is a group of languages that include both Hebrew and Arabic and NOT a racial type. It is ironic that the term Semitic was created at around the same time the Middle East was created. It is as they sought to simply de-Africanize the sacred story of the Bible by disconnecting a part of Africa. In my final analysis I would like to provide evidence that Jesus was of African descent based on the descriptions given in the Bible as regard to appearance. Dan 7:9 reads I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of Days did sit, who garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. We all know that blacks have hair that closest resembles that of wool. We continue on to Rev. 1:13-15: And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire; and His feet unto like fine bronze as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice like the sound of man waters. I can go on and on and continue to prove my point, but as of now you can decide for yourself.

Sunday, July 21, 2019

Positive Effects of Globalisation

Positive Effects of Globalisation Abraham Darby Academy 29105 Thomas Smith 3139 Is Globalisation affecting our lives for the better? Is Globalisation affecting our lives for the better? Globalisation is not a new concept; early explorers went off in to the unknown and came back with exotic foods, sports and fashions that were unheard of. People of the UK eat potatoes on a daily basis, but they aren’t even British! However, the advent of internet technology and low cost air travel have given globalisation prominence. Globalisation refers to the increased inter-connectedness of the world and how the world is getting smaller (well, metaphorically speaking). Globalisation is now reaching out and touching the lives of an increasing amount of people around the globe. Consider your own World for a moment – how is your lifestyle affected? The car in the garage, the food in the kitchen, the phone in your pocket, the clothes on your back or the computer you use? I myself have had my lifestyle greatly influenced by globalisation. My iPad, Xbox and video games all are either manufactured or created in another country and shipped to the UK. Indeed, many of the TV p rogrammes I enjoy are also produced overseas. This shows that our world has become increasing connected and interdependent in terms of culture cuisine, fashion and technology. But is it a change for the better? Causes The cause of globalisation can be linked back to a few main changes. Firstly the improvement in air-travel throughout the 20th century has resulted in a vast increase in the amount of movement of people and goods between countries. Graph 1 shows that between 2000-2008 the volume of exports in developing countries doubled, most likely due to the easier access and advancements of air-travel and transport. Everything from food to technology can be produced in a different country and then flown to us. This in turn has allowed a greater sharing of cultural ideas. Secondly, the development of communication such as the internet and mobile phone technology has meant that it is easier than ever for people to develop and share their ideas. It allows someone with a computer in Britain to access information published in another country or find out about other cultures without having to visit the country. This has allowed a larger spread of cultural information and ideas. Map 1 depicts the amount of internet users in the world, by country. From the map, I conclude that the internet has become a revolutionary tool in the spreading of culture and information. The main users appear to be Asian nations like India and China. As these are large developing nations with large populations, it is not surprising to see that a large percentage of the population use the internet. As you can see, there is also a positive correlation between population size and number of internet users. Another reason for globalisation is the creation and growth of Multi-National Companies. As of 2009, there were 889,416(3) globally, meaning there are a lot of companies with branch plants in multiple countries. The most famous examples of MNC’s are Coca-Cola, Apple and McDonalds. Each of these MNC’s has factories, offices or places of business in countries all around the world or they sell their products to millions around the world. The fact that so many exist, show how interconnected we all are and that many peoples’ lives and cultures are influenced by these expanding companies. Global trading blocs have further reduced national barriers, for example the EU as has the growth of a global media.4 Effects Globalisation results in positive and negative impacts (Table 1). Table 1: Globalisation – the good and the bad The sharing of information has meant that for example, an event occurring in south East Asia can be known about quickly or instantly in countries like the UK. Thus allowing NGO’s to get accurate information about what happened and be able to use facts when asking for donations. A good example of this is the recent Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Due to the internet and other communication technologies, news of the event was instantly available to other countries and this allowed them to act accordingly. This rapid sharing of information has led to problems like global warming and conflict in overseas nations being more well-known and for people to call for more action to be taken.5 Many critics claim that LEDC’s do not receive many benefits of globalisation and are only used for their cheap labour and resources. This therefore creates the effect of ‘the rich get richer and the poor get poorer’ in many peoples’ eyes. The most well-known examples of this are MNC’s like NIKE, Apple and Primark who mainly locate their manufacturing operations in newly industrialised countries. They often move to a country with cheaper labour if costs begin to rise or get too high for their liking. To add to this, some MNC’s take little care of the workers or areas they set up their operations in. The news is often filled with stories of sweat shops, terrible working conditions or other poor ways of treating the area. The case study of Coca-Cola in India shows how well known and respected MNC’s can ‘exploit/take advantage of the countries they operate in. Perspectives Anti-globalisation campaigners and those who oppose/disagree with globalisation believe that clothing, language, diet, tradition and other cultures are being destroyed and re-shaped into a more capitalist or westernised style. A prime example of this that American TV programmes or movies are more likely to be a worldwide success than those of other countries like India, which also have large media industries. This perhaps accounts for the term ‘Bollywood’, whereby Indian entertainment/film makers are using a globally renowned place name ‘Hollywood’ to raise awareness of Indian film. Many people have an opinion on globalisation, be it an MP in London, a business man in China or a villager in Kenya, Africa, probably because globalisation is wide reaching. These perspectives often differ depending on who you ask. Kofi Annan, views globalisation as a positive phenomenon. Kofi is a Ghanaian diplomat and part of the UN9, he has seen the world and dealt with many situations involving other countries. Therefore he clearly knows what he is In terms of culture, Mr Annan seems to believe that globalisation has benefited the different cultures of the world and now better from having had other cultures interact with theirs. For my local area, globalisation has had a very positive effect. Globalisation has led to an influx of culture such as film, food (Chinese, Indian and Thai) and the creation of hundreds of jobs and has brought several big Multi-national companies to Telford. MNC’s like RICOH employ about 900 people10 in Telford alone. Ricoh Company, Ltd is a multi-national imaging and Electronics Company based in Japan. It was founded in 193611 and opened its Telford branch in 1987.12 Its Telford branch manufactures cameras and projectors, all of which are sold either in the UK or shipped abroad to other countries for sale. And this isn’t the only MNC in Telford. Companies like ENTA (Taiwanese) and Johnson Controls (American) all have factories in Telford, providing products and employment for the local area. If globalisation hadn’t happened, the unemployment rate in Telford would be much higher. Therefore my local area has benefited quite a lot from globalisation, be it in emplo yment, products or services, and perspective on the subject is positive. Scenarios In terms of scenarios for globalisation and culture, there are but two; a scenario where globalisation extends its influence and a scenario where it recedes. If globalisation were to extend further, it will mean fewer areas of the world remain untouched. This could have massive implications for culture in both MEDC’s and LEDC’s. For MEDC’s it would mean greater access to products or ideas from other countries. This however, may not affect the culture of MEDC’s like the UK a lot; mainly due to MEDC’s being â€Å"multicultural† societies and the influx of more culture will simply expand the already dynamic range of culture in these countries. But in terms of work, shops and services it is a different story. By allowing more MNC’s from other countries to enter, the prospect of more jobs, services and products increases. Consequentially, it also increases the risk that local businesses will have to close or go out of business. In 2012, the UK saw almost 4,000 shops and 54 retailers close up and go online or go completely bust, affecting more than 48,000 employees15. This shows that even though globalisation brings lots of benefits it can destroy traditional or small local businesses. For LEDC’s an increase in globalisation could be either good or bad. An increase in globalisation could bring more MNC’s to a country or area and with it, benefits. But it could also bring negatives like exploitation or damage to the environment. The local areas culture could be seriously affected, as they replace traditional dress with MEDC style clothing or food, like McDonalds or Coca-Cola. This can be a good thing but it would destroy or significantly weaken local culture and could eventually disappear. The other scenario, where globalisation recedes, provides a very different picture. If fewer MNC’s exist in other countries surely countries would become a bit more ‘self-sufficient’ (being able to do it themselves). For an MEDC, this would mean many aspects of our lifestyle would go or more likely, be harder to come by. Books, movies, foods (Eg: bananas) and clothing would be harder to get as there may be fewer companies willing to ship them to the countries which want them. This could mean that MEDC culture changes, as the lack of foreign products or ideas means that a specific MEDC culture could develop. For local business, it means that more people may use them instead of bigger companies, essentially increasing their usage and profits. For LEDC’s, this scenario would seriously affect their culture. As the media shows us every time they are in LEDC’s like in Africa or the Philippines for example, every day people seem to wear t-shirts, shorts or other similar clothing branded with MEDC MNC logos. Now, without globalisation, this sort of clothing would most likely become harder to acquire. This can be both a good and a bad thing. It’s a good thing for the LEDC’s culture as it allows them to readopt traditional clothing or move away from MEDC influence. It can also be a bad thing as they may rely on these clothes and without them may not have any at all. Another way that LEDC’s would be affected is that with less MNC’s in their countries, fewer jobs may be available to the people living in LEDC’s. This could have a negative effect on the economy of LEDC’s which rely on MNC’s for financial income and jobs. Moreover, less MNC’s would mean workers and communities in LEDC’s would not suffer from poor working conditions or other MNC related problems. Conclusion In conclusion, I have been able to identify that globalisation is mostly affecting our lives for the better. It facilitates the sharing of ideas, knowledge and culture, which in turn has allowed the world to become more interconnected and shared. However, this is not always a good thing, as globalisation has been, and still is, responsible for exploiting workers, damaging environments and eroding cultures. From my evidence and research, I have found that globalisation causes more harm in LEDC’s than in MEDC’s. In MEDC’s, globalisation brings more positive effects than negatives and people in MEDC’s seem to have adopted it into their lives. In the future, it would be good if MEDC’s could ensure that the benefit they gain from globalisation in LEDC’s is fully and fairly reciprocated Bibliography: Gap minder map www.bit.ly/1gLW9Bm or http://www.gapminder.org/world/#$majorMode=map$is;shi=t;ly=2003;lb=f;il=t;fs=11;al=30;stl=f;st=f;nsl=t;se=t$wst;tts=C$ts;sp=5.59290322580644;ti=2010$zpv;v=0$inc_x;mmid=XCOORDS;iid=ti;by=const$inc_y;mmid=YCOORDS;iid=0AkBd6lyS3EmpdC1PcWJUZldDelFyQXdaOEtDUG9HSUE;by=const$inc_s;uniValue=8.21;iid=phAwcNAVuyj0XOoBL%5Fn5tAQ;by=ind$inc_c;uniValue=255;gid=CATID0;by=grp$map_s;sma=65;smi=2.65$cd;bd=0$inds Number of MNC’s http://www.numberof.net/number%c2%a0of%c2%a0mncs-in-the-world/ Causes of globalisation http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/401/trade/what-caused-globalization/ Positive effects of globalisation http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/globalisation/globalisation_rev4.shtml Volume of exports 1990-2009: http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/coher_e/mdg_e/development_e.htm Coca-Cola protest India – http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/77/CocaColaIndia.gif Kofi Annan quote – http://arts.brighton.ac.uk/__data/assets/image/0018/2628/study-globalisation-uk-brighton.jpg What is the UN – http://www.un.org/en/aboutun/ RICOH employment numbers- http://www.shropshirestar.com/shropshire-business/2013/05/28/telford-ricoh-factory-workers-face-uncertain-future/ RICOH founding – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricoh RICOH Telford founding – http://www.ricoh.co.uk/about-ricoh/ricoh-uk/history/index.aspx RICOH picture – http://www.therecycler.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/ricohtelford.jpg Case study – India and coco cola – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Coca-Cola#India store closure numbers (2012) – http://www.retailresearch.org/whosegonebust.php 1909 words excluding tables and headings

AIS and MIS Comparison

AIS and MIS Comparison Briefly discuss the difference between AIS and MIS.   Ã‚   MIS and AIS are all computer-based information systems that are very helpful for any organizations to keep records correctly and make the right decision for the operations. They are two different main system is an organization. The major difference is AIS and MIS provide diverse information to the organization by different transactions. AIS subsystems processing by financial transactions which are monetary transactions affect assets and equity, shown on the accounts. Whilst it also process nonfinancial transactions that directly affect the processing of financial transactions. (p.7) According to the figure 1-2, those transactions and cycles under AIS are all about economic event convert to financial transactions and expressed as numbers or figures in the accounts. Such as sold inventories, this movement will incur the revenue and equity figures changed on accounts. These kinds of changes will also affect the GL and MRS to provide information timely changed. In another hand if the customer account detail changed which is nonfinancial transaction processed by AIS, The MIS processes nonfinancial transactions that are not normally processed by traditional AIS. (p.7)  the organization normally has many departments such as production planning, inventory warehouse planning, market research, and so on. MIS is to help those different areas operate normally and provide information for further decision making. Another important difference is AIS and MIS provide information to different parties. AIS are not only providing the information for internal users but also for the external users such as suppliers, customers and auditors and so on. Especially for the auditors, AIS is help to provide correctly and legally information. MIS is mainly providing information to internal users such as the management team of the organization. In conclusion, AIS and MIS provide different information through different transactions to different parties. But there are also connections between AIS and MIS. AIS also provide the financial information to the MIS. Some movement in MIS is also affecting AIS. AIS and MIS are all important system to any organization. Briefly discuss the characteristics of information in the context of accounting information system. Information is can be defined as processed data and can help user to take further actions or make further decisions. (p.10). The characteristics of information in AIS include relevance, timeliness, accuracy, completeness, and summarization. (p.12) Relevance means relevant information for a specific purpose of the task or help manager to do further decision. For example, the main purpose of an invoice is let customer pay the right amount and know what they bought. Therefore the invoice shows the amount that customer should pay, and also shows the product name, code which customer bought. Timeliness means provide timely information. For instance, if a statement shows pay it within 15 days will get a 2% discount, if they receive this statement and information within 15 days, that will be useful, otherwise will lose the value of this information. Accuracy means avoid to provide information with major errors. For example, if a balance sheet shows the total asset is $100000, but the actual amount should be $90000, this error may cause the user make poor decisions. It could be cause by a data errors or process error. Sometimes, we have to give up the absolutely accurate to provide timely information, therefore system designer need make balance between accuracy and timeliness. Completeness means should include all the essential information for decision making or daily tasks. For example, an income statement should include the calculation of the profit or loss, and must be clearly showing the figures. Summarization means the information should summarized as the user needs. As the higher management, the more summarized information is needed. Others, the independent of the information which means the accounting activities must be separated and independent from physical resources management and preservation. In conclusion, relevance, timeliness, accuracy, completeness, and summarization are very important to obtain reliable information to the user. Reliability can determine the value of the information. (p.16) If follow those characteristic, information will be reliable and provides maximum value to the user. When developing, or selecting an accounting system, identify who should be involved and the contribution that they bring to the process. Organizations usually get the accounting system through two ways, self-developing and purchase or rent commercial software. To develop or selecting an accounting system, we need someone who understand accounting knowledge which is accountant, and someone who understand the database and network which is IT professionals. Accountant and IT professionals are all plays very important roles. But they have different contributions bring to the process. Accountant as a domain expert is a very vital role. They provide professional accounting concept and frame to the system. Such as set accounting process rules, reporting requirements, and build the internal control goals. (p.20) For example, different customers have different payment terms, sales department or credit department for some business need the delinquent accounts information from the AR department. This information will help the sales or credit department make a further decision to hold the sales of the customer or not. Accountant need set the standard to identify delinquent customer account in this case. They may set a credit amount for every customer and the system might show a message once over the amount or hold the accounts until they pay off. Accountant need determine the nature of the required information, its source, destination and the need of accounting rules.(p.20) Accountant as a system auditor is also an important role for developing or selecting the accounting system. Some public accounting firm can give advisory service of information system design and implementation, and internal control assessments for compliance with SOX. (p.21) although the accounting firm could use their auditor concepts for the advisory service, they could not be the real auditor to the company, it is no value to the organization and it is illegal under SOX legislation. IT professionals are responsible for the establishment of actual physical system. The physical system includes the database and programming for calculate and present information. IT professionals need ensure to build the accounting system work efficiently. They also play an important role for the test and maintenance of the accounting system. Once the system is selected or development is completed, they will need doing test and if any errors they need fixed the errors. System requires constant maintenance and repair to ensure the accuracy of information. Accountant and IT professionals need work together when developing or selecting an accounting system. They are all essential. Define fraud and identify and discuss three different examples to illustrate how it may arise in the workplace. In each case illustrate a strategy that may be used to mitigate its impact or occurrence. Briefly explain the COSO internal control framework. The COSO internal control framework is issued by Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. (p.116)  It is recommended by SEC1, also is the general framework of internal control evaluation standard. The COSO framework defines internal control is affected by corporate board of directors, management and other personnel, in order to achieve operational effectiveness and efficiency, financial report reliability, the compliance of the relevant regulations and other objectives to provide a reasonable guarantee process. We can explain it from 5 different aspects, the control environment, risk assessment, information and communication, monitoring, and control activities. (p.116) Control environment is the fundamental key of the organization, it directly affect the control consciousness of the staffs. It include the integrity of the staff, professional ethics and organization structure; management of the business philosophy and management style; board of directors or the audit committee of the supervision and guidance; the allocation of authority and responsibility; the methods of performance evaluation and human resources policy. à ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã‹â€ p.116à ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã¢â‚¬ °It can be said that people and their activities are the core of enterprise, is the important factor of internal control environment, it interacts with environment. Risk assessment is to identify and analyze the relevant risks to achieve the established goals; it is the basis of risk management. Each enterprise is faced with a lot of internal and external risks, affecting the realization of business goals, such as the changes of the operating environment, new staffs, the use of new system or new technology, new product introduction, entre into a foreign market or practice of new accounting rules and so on. It is necessary to identify, analyze and manage those risks that affect the achievement of the target and manage them in timely manner. (p.118) Information and communication means that the information needed for business management must be identified, obtained and delivered in a certain form in a timely manner so that the employee can perform their duties. The accounting information includes not only internally generated information, but also external information related to business decision making and external reporting. It is important for an accounting information system whether the information is processed timely and accurately. The auditor needs to understand the transactions, accounting record, transaction processing steps, financial reporting process. (p. 118) Monitoring is the process of assessing the effectiveness of the internal control system, through continuous monitoring, independent assessment or a combination of the two to achieve the internal control system supervision. Internal control activities refer to policies and procedures that facilitate the smooth implementation of management decision-making. It includes information technology (IT) controls and physical controls. IT controls is rated to computer environment, it has two aspects, general control such as the control of database and network security and so on, and application control such as the control of accounts payable, and payroll applications and so on. Another aspect is physical control, which are human activities. It includes transaction authorization, segregation of duties, supervision, accounting records, access control, and independent verification. (p.119) COSO internal control framework is a relatively complete and systematic theory of internal control, and it put forward a lot of valuable ideas, constantly found the practical significance in practice.

Saturday, July 20, 2019

The Devils Disciples :: Essays Papers

The Devils Disciples King James II’s rise to power in the 1680s became an extremely turbulent time for all under his reign. This was primary due to Catholic versus Protestant relations. Unlike his brother Charles II, James II openly professed his Catholic beliefs and granted religious freedom to all. Aside from religious toleration, his appointing of Catholics to high government posts enraged the Protestant colonialists even more. One individual was Governor Andros. He wrongfully imposed taxes, took way self-governing systems, ended jury trials, and oppressed Puritan beliefs. Peter Hoffer gives the reader an account of the Salem witch trials through the story of the Barbadian minister Parris, his daughter Betty, and his slave Tituba. In certain places, he eludes to mini-stories and small history explanations to help the reader better understand the Puritans way of thinking and Titunba’s African back round. Parris is called to Salem Town for a temporary position. However, through a town feud between two powerful Puritan families, Parris’ position soon becomes permanent. Like all small Puritan villages, Salem Town is a struggling Utopia. After James II leaves the throne, Governor Andros is murdered. The evasive Utopia, lost governor, struggling economy, cold winters, and deadly sicknesses that plague Salem Town put the residences faith to a test. One might ask why the Puritans, a religious sect thought to be quite holy, should have the most witchery. Hoffer explains how the Puritans â€Å"holy† attitudes and beliefs are partially the cause of their problems. Each Puritan village is a highly structured and disciplined society. The goal of each of these settlements is to achieve Utopia or something close to it. They fail to reach anything close. Because of this, many Puritans blame their problems on outside forces. Although somewhat educated, they attribute any discrepancies as the Devil’s work. More often than not, the victims were women and the suspects were women, raving the possibility that witchery and accusations of witchery were the way the struggling Puritans coped with their situation. This in not to say the belief in witches came about during this time. The belief in witches was widespread long before the witch trials. In fact, the government recognized its presence by making â€Å"malefician† (b ad magic) a felony. Witches were said to have certain meeting places, which were never actually seen, in which they held secret meetings and unholy rituals. Although no one ever saw a real witch gathering, this superstition was a mainstream belief.

Friday, July 19, 2019

Essay --

Plum Island is a fictional novel about a convalescing New York Police homicide detective named John Corey, who gets involved in a multiple murder investigation while he is supposed to be recovering from serious wounds. John is originally working as a consultant for the small township, where an old friend of his is the Chief of Police, but when he is relieved of this position, he continues the investigation on his own. Eventually the county detective assigned to solve the case, Beth Penrose, invites him to collaborate with her and the team solves the original double murder, and all of the murders committed by the same man, Frederic Tobin. John Corey is relaxing on his Uncle Harry's deck when Sylvester Maxwell, Chief of the local police, asks John to accompany him to the murder scene. Tom and Judy Gordon, biologists at the nearby Plum Island biological animal research center, and recent friends of John, have both been shot in the head on the deck of their home. John meets Detective Beth Penrose of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office, Foster of the FBI, and a man named Ted Nash who says he is from the Department of Agriculture but turns out to be a CIA agent. The initial investigation focuses on the Gordons stealing a virus from the Plum Island facility and selling it to a foreign government. To this end, the team of Nash, Foster, John, Beth and Max are taken on a lengthy tour of the facility, including the uninhabited part of the island that contains a revolutionary war era abandoned fort. While on the tour, John and the team meet the head of security, Paul Stevens. They also learn that the Gordons were involved in researching a vaccine for Ebola, were amateur archeologists, and had free reign to bring their boat to and from work ... ... John and Beth take Tobin's boat to the ferry dock and Max meets them there. John heads for Manhattan to face the wrath of his NYPD supervisor. At his home, he finds a letter from the Gordons, written before their murder, verifying everything he has now discovered. John goes to meet with his supervisors and negotiate a way out of the trouble he is in for disobeying orders. The last chapter shows John teaching homicide investigation, as a retired police officer. It is several months after the Plum Island incident, and he misses the police force, but accepts what needed to happen. He is also unattached. John is surprised to se that Beth Penrose has enrolled in his class. She catches him up on the latest from Suffolk County, and is gently offering to be in his life again. While he initially resists, he announces to the class that he is taking her for drinks that night.

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Resolving Problem With Manager In The Workplace :: Organizational Management

Identification and definition of the problem. My workplace environment at one time was a pleasant place to be. All the employees got along and worked together very well. We were a team and liked to help each other out when one was in need. It was like clock work. We would go to work wanting to be there to do our jobs because we all knew we would have fun throughout the day while we were working. Then a new manager joined the team. It was not planned, we knew our store needed some help but the employees did not know for definite when we would be getting a new supervisor. The first day was like any usual first day. Meeting the employees, learning the names and a little bit about each person. After observing my new supervisor for a couple of hours I felt as if he was in a hurry to get the first day work out of the way and leave. He did not seem the least bit interested in the people he was going to be working with for over eight hours a day. I blew off my thoughts and felt it was too early to judge the situation. Well I was wrong to blow off my feelings, because I was right to think something was not quite right about this man. During his training he did not want any one below his position to help him out. If he was having troubles with the computer he had to go to the General Manager or another supervisor even though the employees probably know the computers just as well as managers because we use them all day long. He would look for thirty minutes for something in dry storage before he ever asked an employee. I personally thought that was unusual, not asking for help unless it was management. It seems like to me that it would have made him feel less superior if he had to ask one of his employees for help. At that point I knew working with this particular supervisor would not be pleasant. As time went on the situations got increasingly worse. He would scream at us employees for the most ridiculous things. Showing up to work without my name tag would be means for him sending me home.

Pengajaran berbantukan ICT melalui penerokaan

PENDAHULUAN1.1 PENGENALANMalaysia berusaha menerapkan Teknologi Maklumat dan Komunikasi ( ICT ) dalam pelbagai bidang seperti perniagaan, industri, komunikasi dan pendidikan untuk mengembang dan mengekalkan kemajuan negara ke arah sains dan teknologi berlandaskan Wawasan 2020. Pada tahun 2001, kerajaan telah mewartakan k-Ekonomi Master Plan. Ekoran itu, hasrat k-Ekonomi Master Plan dimanifestasikan dalam bentuk reformasi sistem pendidikan Malaysia dan lahirnya pelbagai usaha untuk meningkatkan penggunaan ICT seperti media elektronik berbentuk e-book dan e-Learning untuk menggantikan media pengajaran dan pembelajaran ( P & A ; P ) yang konvensional ( Chan, 2002 ) . Pengajaran berbantukan ICT melalui penerokaan sumber digital boleh membantu meningkatkan minat pelajar serta menjadikan proses P & A ; P lebih berkesan. Bagi menghadapi cabaran baru kesan daripada globalisasi, liberasi, pengantarabangsaan dan perkembangan ICT pada abad ke-21, Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia ( KPM ) menyediakan Pelan Induk Pembangunan Pendidikan ( PIPP ) 2006-2010 yang dapat melahirkan warganegara yang berilmu pengetahuan, celik ICT, berkemahiran dan berakhlak mulia. Matlamat pelan tersebut adalah untuk merapatkan jurang digital dengan menyediakan kemudahan ICT antara lokasi dan meningkatkan kemahiran ICT dalam kalangan guru dan pelajar ( PIPP 2006-2010, 2006 ) . Walaupun pelbagai usaha telah dilaksanakan untuk meningkatkan pengintegrasian ICT dalam P & A ; P, namun isu sejauhmana proses pendifusian memberi kesan kepada penerimaan dan pengintegrasian ICT masih dipersoalkan. Kesannya matlamat penggunaan ICT sebagai alat bantuan P & A ; P untuk membolehkan penyampaian sesuatu konsep dengan berkesan dan memudahkan pemahaman Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence pengajaran oleh pelajar tidak tercapai. Oleh itu, disertasi ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti dan mengkaji hubungan faktor-faktor yang perlu diberi penekanan semasa mendifusikan sesuatu inovasi ICT dengan penerimaan guru untuk mengintegrasikan inovasi ICT tersebut dalam P & A ; P.1.2 LATAR BELAKANG KAJIANPendifusian inovasi adalah teori tentang bagaimana sesuatu thought atau objek baru tersebar dapat diterima oleh individu yang disasarkan ( Rogers, 2003 ) . Teori ini diasaskan oleh Everett Rogers pada tahun 1964 melalui bukunya yang berjudul ‘Diffusion of Innovations ‘ . Konsep difusi didefinisikan sebagai satu proses yang menerangkan bagaimana sesuatu inovasi dikomunikasikan melalui pelbagai saluran media pada jangka Masa tertentu dalam sesebuah sistem sosial. Manakala inovasi pula didefinisikan sebagai sesuatu objek, amalan atau thought yang baru dan dicipta untuk mewujudkan keselesaan, kos efektif dan lebih berkesan ( Rogers, 2003 ) . Teori Pendifusian Inovasi Rogers menjelaskan terdapat beberapa faktor yang menentukan penerimaan sesuatu inovasi. Penerimaan seseorang individu terhadap inovasi yang diperkenalkan adalah tidak sama dan boleh dipengaruhi oleh ciri-ciri peribadi serta latar belakang individu itu sendiri ( Surry & A ; Ely, 2002 ) . Penubuhan Koridor Raya Multimedia ( MSC ) pada tahun 1996 dengan memberi penekanan kepada tujuh aplikasi utama iaitu kerajaan elektronik, tele-perubatan, sekolah bestari, kad pintar, pemasaran tanpa sempadan, kelompok penyelidikan dan pembangunan jaringan perusahaan sedunia merupakan sebahagian usaha kerajaan untuk mengukuhkan lagi penggunaan ICT di Malaysia. Pada tahun 1999, kerajaan telah melancarkan plan Sekolah Bestari dengan melibatkan 88 buah sekolah dan plan ini merupakan projek yang menjadi kesinambungan daripada penubuhan MSC. Seterusnya, pada tahun 2003 kerajaan telah melaksanakan plan Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Sains dan Matematik dalam Bahasa Inggeris ( PPSMI ) bermula dengan Tahun 1, Tingkatan 1 dan Tingkatan 6 Rendah di seluruh negara. Beberapa strategi pelaksanaan PPSMI ialah menyediakan guru dengan latihan intensif Indonesian Inggeris, Kursus Orientasi Kurikulum, peralatan teknologi maklumat, latihan penggunaan ICT dan bahan perisian. Usaha yang diambil dalam pelaksananan plan PPSMI ialah menggalakkan guru untuk menggunakan bahan pengajaran yang menggabungkan elemen multimedia seperti sound, picture, grafik, teks dan animasi. Elemen-elemen multimedia ini dipercayai dapat membawa perubahan dalam cara pengajaran guru dalam bilik darjah dan menjadikan proses P & A ; P mata pelajaran Sains, Matematik dan Bahasa Inggeris lebih menarik dan berkesan ( Noor Azliza & A ; Lilia, 2002 ) . Oleh itu, penggunaan Multimedia dalam pendidikan merupakan satu keperluan dalam epoch teknologi maklumat dan komunikasi. Teknologi Multimedia dianggap sebagai edutainment ( education amusement ) dan Infotainment ( Information amusement ) ( Handwerker, 2001 ) . Multimedia merupakan rangsangan kepada perubahan dalam proses pengajaran berbanding dengan kaedah pengajaran konvensional ( Gayle & A ; Uma, 1996 ) . Di Malaysia, Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia telah mula sedar Akan kepentingan penggunaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif ke atas persekitaran pembelajaran dalam bilik darjah. Pengajaran dengan berbantukan perisian kursus boleh berubah menjadi panduan atau wise man dengan maklum balas secara interaktif daripada hanya berfungsi sebagai pembekal maklumat asas dan pemahaman sahaja ( Lee, Cheung, & A ; Chen, 2005 ) . Dengan adanya teknologi multimedia kemungkinan akan wujud sekolah Mayan dan sekolah planetary bagi aplikasi jarak jauh ( Saade & A ; Bahli, 2005 ) . Mata pelajaran Matematik merupakan mata pelajaran yang wajib dipelajari oleh semua pelajar sekolah menengah. Matematik mengandungi topik-topik yang sukar difahami oleh pelajar kerana perkara yang ingin disampaikan adalah berbentuk abstrak. Perkaitan antara satu konsep dengan konsep yang lain menimbulkan kekeliruan dan menyebabkan pelajar sukar memahami konsep yang baru dan berbeza-beza dalam Matematik. Dalam keadaan ini, pendekatan pengajaran konvensional tidak dapat menarik minat dan merangsang proses pembelajaran. Kesannya pencapaian pelajar dalam mata pelajaran Matematik terjejas ( Mohd Salahuddin, 2006 ) . Menurut Pusat Perkembangan Kurikulum ( PPK ) ( 2000 ) , penggunaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif boleh membantu pelajar untuk menvisualisasi konsep Matematik yang abstrak dengan lebih berkesan. Selain itu, penggunaan perisian juga dapat membantu murid memodelkan masalah yang mereka terokai dengan lebih berkesan. Menurut Mohd Nizar ( 2007 ) , penggunaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam pengajaran Matematik dapat menggalakkan penglibatan aktif pelajar dalam P & A ; P seterusnya meningkatkan prestasi pencapaian akademik mereka.1.3 PENYATAAN MASALAHKajian tentang pendifusian dan penerimaan inovasi telah dijalankan secara meluas dalam pelbagai bidang. Contohnya dalam bidang ekonomi ( Mukoyama, 2005 ) ; rangkaian sosial ( Alkemade & A ; Castaldi, 2005 ) ; imigran ( Kabbar & A ; Crump, 2006 ) ; perubatan ( Huskey, 2009 & A ; Kilmon & A ; Fagan, 2007 ) dan pendidikan ( Ismail & A ; Ann, 2006 ; Ndubisi, 2004 & A ; Richardson, 2007 ) . Kajian-kajian tentang pendifusian ini t elah menumpukan bagaimana sesuatu inovasi disebar dan diterima oleh pengguna, faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi penerimaan inovasi serta halangan-halangan yang dihadapi dalam pendifusian sesuatu inovasi. Justeru, kajian-kajian ini juga menjelaskan tentang kepentingan proses pendifusian dalam memastikan kejayaan atau kegagalan sesuatu inovasi. Inovasi ICT merupakan suatu inovasi yang membolehkan guru dan pelajar mengakses pelbagai maklumat tanpa batasan Masa dan tempat. Namun demikian, sebagaimana inovasi-inovasi lain adenosine deaminase kemungkinan inovasi ICT juga Akan diterima atau ditolak. Oleh itu, kejayaan pelaksanaan inovasi ICT banyak bergantung kepada keberkesanan proses pendifusian serta penerimaannya dalam P & A ; P. Pihak Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia menganggap ICT sebagai suatu alat yang dapat merevolusikan pembelajaran, memperkayakan kurikulum, memperkembangkan pedagogi dan meningkatkan penguasaan pelajar. Bagi memantapkan ICT dalam pendidikan, KPM telah membelanjakan RM580 juta untuk menyediakan pelbagai bahan teknologi untuk digunakan dalam P & A ; P, memberikan latihan kepada guru dan menyediakan kemudahan. Keputusan untuk menggunakan ICT dipengaruhi oleh pelbagai faktor seperti pengetahuan dan kemahiran guru, kemudahan dan kekangan di sekolah. Bagi tujuan membantu menyepadukan ICT dalam P & A ; P, guru-guru dibekalkan dengan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. KPM berharap penerimaan dan pengintegrasian perisian kursus yang berasaskan multimedia interaktif dapat membawa perubahan yang besar terutama daripada aspek kaedah pengajaran guru dan cara belajar pelajar ( KPM, 2001 ) . Perisian kursus multimedia interaktif mempunyai potensi untuk meningkatkan mutu P & A ; P di samping menyediakan capaian kepada maklumat dan menggalakkan interaksi antara pelajar melalui pelbagai aktiviti ( Roblyer & A ; Edwards, 2000 ) . Perisian kursus multimedia interaktif juga membolehkan parity pelajar memperoleh ilmu dan kemahiran-kemahiran menerusi pembelajaran kendiri. Kajian oleh Mohd Nizar ( 2007 ) dan Azizah ( 2006 ) menunjukkan bahawa perisian kursus multimedia interaktif berjaya meningkatkan pencapaian pelajar dan meningkatkan motivasi mereka terhadap mata pelajaran yang dipelajari. Penggunaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif menjadikan mata pelajaran Matematik lebih menarik dengan adanya pelbagai teknik pengajaran dan elemen-elemen multimedia. Penggunaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam mata pelajaran Matematik dapat melatih kemahiran penyelesaian masalah atau menjadi alternatif kepada pengajaran sesuatu topik yang sukar dikuasai oleh pelajar menerusi ka edah pengajaran yang sedia adenosine deaminase ( Ibrahim, Baharuddin & A ; Jamalludin, 2005 & A ; Nor Azan, Halimah & A ; Shahrul Azman, 2009 ) Walaupun pelbagai usaha telah dilakukan untuk memperkenalkan dan menggalakkan penggunaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam P & A ; P, namun timbul persoalan sama adenosine deaminase guru bersedia untuk menerima dan menggunakan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif seperti yang diharapkan. Ini adalah kerana penerimaan dan penggunaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam P & A ; P didapati masih berada pada tahap yang rendah ( Fong, 2006 ; Pusat Perkembangan Kurikulum, 2006 ) . Ini disokong dengan dapatan kajian oleh Azizah ( 2006 ) yang mendapati penggunaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam kalangan guru di Malaysia masih pada tahap yang rendah. Dapatan kajian ini, menunjukkan bahawa guru hanya menerima dan menggunakan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif sebagai sumber sokongan dalam P & A ; P. Kemampuan inovasi teknologi tersebut tidak digunakan sepenuhnya oleh guru ( Moersch, 1995 ) . Justeru, ini menggambarkan proses pendifusian inovasi perisian kursus m ultimedia interaktif adalah kurang berkesan. Oleh yang demikian, kajian ini adalah sangat perlu untuk mengenal pasti faktor-faktor pendifusian yang menjadi penyumbang kepada peningkatan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam kalangan guru. Menurut Sanders dan Morrison ( 2001 ) , terdapat tiga sebab yang memerlukan kajian tentang proses pendifusian dalam bidang teknologi pendidikan. Sebab pertama ialah kebanyakan ahli teknologi pendidikan kurang pengetahuan tentang mengapa produk mereka diterima atau sebaliknya. Drum sanders dan Morrison ( 2001 ) percaya bahawa kajian tentang pendifusian dapat membantu ahli teknologi pendidikan untuk memahami punca berlakunya keadaan tersebut. Manakala sebab yang kedua ialah bidang teknologi pendidikan tidak dapat dipisahkan dengan inovasi dan ahli teknologi pendidikan perlu mempunyai pengetahuan tentang proses pendifusian dan theoretical account pendifusian inovasi. Dengan itu, ahli teknologi pendidikan akan menjadi lebih bersedia untuk menghadapi penerima sesuatu inovasi. Akhir sekali, sebab yang ketiga ialah kajian tentang pendifusian dapat membantu untuk membina theoretical account pendifusian yang lebih sistematik. Surry dan Ely ( 2002 ) mendapati sikap pereka yang hanya menumpukan kepada pembangunan bahan teknologi yang menjadi punca kepada kurangnya penggunaan sesuatu teknologi dalam kalangan guru. Keadaan ini menyebabkan tidak adenosine deaminase jaminan untuk mendifusikan teknologi. Menurut Rogers ( 2003 ) , proses pendifusian adalah satu proses yang rumit dan dipengaruhi oleh banyak faktor. Kelebihan teknologi itu sendiri hanya merupakan satu faktor yang mempengaruhi keputusan seseorang guru untuk menerima dan menggunakan sesuatu inovasi. Ciri-ciri seperti interaksi sosial yang kompleks dan faedah penggunaan juga mempengaruhi penerimaan sesuatu teknologi dan penggunaannya ( Rogers, 2003 ) . Dalam hal ini, Teori Pendifusian Inovasi boleh diaplikasikan untuk mencari penyelesaian kepada masalah kurangnya penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam proses P & A ; P. Kepercayaan guru terhadap kemampuan sesuatu kaedah atau bahan akan mempengaruhi keputusan guru untuk menerima dan mengaplikasikan kaedah atau bahan tersebut dalam P & A ; P ( Pajares, 2002 ) . Di samping itu, sikap bimbang dan kurang keyakinan terhadap diri sendiri untuk menguasai sesuatu teknologi juga akan menyebabkan guru kurang berminat untuk menerima sesuatu inovasi ICT. Justeru, pengalaman guru yang negatif semasa menggunakan teknologi mendorong guru untuk tidak menerima inovasi ICT yang baru ( Mohd Nizar, 2007 ) . Di samping itu, kekurangan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif yang berkualiti dan kesukaran mengendalikan perisian kursus juga menyebabkan guru menganggap bahawa penggunaan inovasi ICT dalam pengajaran pembelajaran tidak berkesan ( Sima, Jayakaran & A ; Roselan, 2009 ) . Seterusnya guru di sekolah menghadapi masalah kekurangan masa untuk mereka bentuk pelajaran yang melibatkan penggunaan inovasi ICT. Guru juga menghadapi masalah kekurangan sokongan dari segi sokon gan pihak pengurusan dan sokongan peralatan ICT untuk menerima dan mengintegrasikan inovasi ICT seperti yang disasarkan ( Mohammad, Jamalul Lail & A ; Mohd Izham. 2001 ) . Dalam konteks pendidikan di Malaysia, hanya terdapat beberapa kajian yang dijalankan tentang pendifusian dan penerimaan inovasi. Antaranya ialah kajian oleh Nor Aziah dan Ahmad Marzuki ( 2004 ) yang telah mengkaji tentang pendifusian dan penerimaan Sistem Pengurusan Pembelajaran dalam meningkatkan kualiti P & A ; P. Mereka mengkaji proses pendifusian Dari perspektif penerima dengan menggunakan variabel tingkah laku positif dan sikap terbuka guru untuk menerima inovasi tersebut. Kajian oleh Azwan, Abdul Ghani, Mohammad Zohir dan Abd. Rahman ( 2005 ) juga telah menggunakan perspektif penerima untuk mengkaji kesan efikasi kendiri guru Sejarah terhadap Pengajaran Berbantukan Teknologi Maklumat dan Komunikasi ( ICT ) sekolah menengah kebangsaan harian di negeri Perlis Indera Kayangan. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan terdapat hubungan antara efikasi kendiri dengan amalan pengajaran berbantukan ICT. Sima, Jayakaran dan Roselan ( 2009 ) pula telah mengkaji pendifusian dan pengintegrasian Pengajaran Berasaskan Web ( WBI ) dalam kalangan staf Fakulti Bahasa Inggeris di Universiti Putra Malaysia Dari perspektif inovasi. Pendifusian Pengajaran Berasaskan Web dikaji Dari aspek kelebihan relatif, kesesuaian, kesenangan mengguna, mudah untuk percubaan, visibleness dan consequence provability. Rodney, Michael dan Christina ( 2009 ) juga telah menggunakan perspektif inovasi dalam kajian mereka. Mereka telah mengkaji penerimaan inovasi perbincangan dalam talian dalam kalangan pensyarah Universiti Swinburne Kampus Sarawak dengan menggunakan Technology Acceptance Model ( 1986 ) . Selain itu, terdapat juga kajian-kajian yang menggunakan dua perspektif untuk mengkaji pendifusian dan penerimaan inovasi teknologi. Contohnya, Mohd. Sarif ( 1998 ) yang telah mengkaji tentang faktor-faktor yang menjadi penghalang kepada pendifusian teknologi pendidikan dalam kalangan guru Sekolah Menengah Sains di pantai Tamerlane Semenanjung Malaysia. Kajian ini telah menggabungkan variabel-variabel Dari perspektif penerima dan perspektif persekitaran iaitu individu, birokratik, ekonomi dan logistik. Manakala Azizah ( 2006 ) pula telah menggabungkan perspektif inovasi dan perspektif persekitaran dalam kajiannya. Azizah telah mengkaji tahap penerimaan dan penggunaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif Sekolah Bestari dalam kalangan guru dan pelajar sekolah di Malaysia serta halangan-halangan yang dihadapi dalam penerimaan inovasi tersebut. Ini menunjukkan dalam kajian-kajian Lepas parity penyelidik hanya menumpukan kepada faktor-faktor daripada perpektif tertentu sahaja, sama adenosine deaminase Dari perspektif penerima, inovasi atau persekitaran. Tetapi kajian ini akan menggabungkan ketiga-tiga perspektif tersebut. Walaupun terdapat banyak faktor yang boleh mempengaruhi penerimaan sesuatu inovasi, tetapi dalam kajian ini enam faktor yang menjadi dominan dalam ketiga-tiga perspektif tersebut dipilih dan dinamakan sebagai faktor-faktor pendifusian ( pengalaman dan efikasi kendiri Dari perspektif penerima, kelebihan relatif dan kerumitan Dari perspektif inovasi, dan sokongan dan Masa Dari perspektif persekitaran ) . Pemilihan faktor-faktor pendifusian adalah berdasarkan kepada empat teori iaitu Teori Pendifusian Rogers ( 2003 ) , Technology Acceptance Model ( 1986 ) , Theory of Reasoned Action ( 1975 ) dan Theory of Planned Behavior ( 1986 ) . Teori-teori tersebut digabungkan dan digunakan sebagai asas dalam kajian ini untuk mengkaji hubungan antara faktor-faktor pendifusian dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam kalangan guru Matematik yang mengajar Tingkatan 1 di Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan harian di negeri Kedah. Selain itu, kajian ini juga mengkaji sumbangan variabel-variabel jantina, umur, pengalaman mengajar dan lokasi sekolah sebagai moderator hubungan antara faktor-faktor pendifusian dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif.1.4 OBJEKTIF KAJIANObjektif kajian ini secara umumnya adalah untuk meninjau hubungan antara faktor-faktor pendifusian dengan penerimaan guru Matematik terhadap perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Secara khususnya kajian ini ber tujuan untuk: 1. mengenal pasti hubungan antara faktor-faktor pendifusian ( pengalaman, efikasi kendiri, kelebihan relatif, kerumitan, sokongan & A ; masa ) dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. 2. mengkaji perbezaan terhadap penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif antara variabel jantina, umur, pengalaman mengajar dan lokasi sekolah. 3. mengenal pasti faktor pendifusian ( pengalaman, efikasi kendiri, kelebihan relatif, kerumitan, sokongan & A ; masa ) yang menjadi peramal utama kepada penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. 4. menentukan sama adenosine deaminase variabel jantina, umur, pengalaman mengajar dan lokasi sekolah menjadi moderator antara hubungan faktor-faktor pendifusian dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif.1.5 PERSOALAN KAJIANBerdasarkan objektif kajian di atas, soalan-soalan kajian berikut dibentuk: 1. adakah terdapat hubungan antara faktor-faktor pendifusian ( pengalaman, efikasi kendiri, kelebihan relatif, kerumitan, sokongan & A ; masa ) dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif? 2. adakah terdapat perbezaan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif antara variabel jantina, umur, pengalaman mengajar dan lokasi sekolah? 3. apakah faktor pendifusian ( pengalaman, efikasi kendiri, kelebihan relatif, kerumitan, sokongan & A ; masa ) yang menjadi peramal utama kepada penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif? 4. adakah variabel jantina, umur, pengalaman mengajar dan lokasi sekolah menjadi moderator antara hubungan faktor-faktor pendifusian ( pengalaman, efikasi kendiri, kelebihan relatif, kerumitan, sokongan & A ; masa ) dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif?1.6 HIPOTESIS KAJIANBerdasarkan objektif kajian, beberapa hipotesis telah dibentuk bagi menjawab persoalan kajian. Ho1 Tidak terdapat hubungan antara faktor-faktor pendifusian ( pengalaman, efikasi kendiri, kelebihan relatif, kerumitan, sokongan & A ; masa ) dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Ho1a: Tidak terdapat hubungan yang positif antara faktor pengalaman dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Ho1b: Tidak terdapat hubungan yang positif antara faktor kendiri dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Ho1c: Tidak terdapat hubungan yang positif antara faktor kelebihan relatif dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Ho1d: Tidak terdapat hubungan yang negatif antara faktor kerumitan dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Ho1e: Tidak terdapat hubungan yang positif antara faktor sokongan dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Ho1f: Tidak terdapat hubungan yang positif antara faktor Masa dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Ho2 Tidak terdapat perbezaan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif antara variabel jantina, umur, pengalaman mengajar dan lokasi sekolah. Ho2a: Tidak terdapat perbezaan signifikan antara jantina dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Ho2b: Tidak terdapat perbezaan signifikan antara umur dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Ho2c: Tidak terdapat perbezaan signifikan antara pengalaman mengajar dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Ho2d: Tidak terdapat perbezaan signifikan antara lokasi sekolah dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Ho3 Faktor pendifusian ( pengalaman, efikasi kendiri, kelebihan relatif, kerumitan, sokongan & A ; masa ) tidak menjadi peramal utama kepada penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Ho3a: Faktor pengalaman tidak menjadi peramal utama kepada penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Ho3b: Faktor efikasi kendiri tidak menjadi peramal utama kepada penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Ho3c: Faktor kelebihan relatif tidak menjadi peramal utama kepada penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Ho3d: Faktor kerumitan tidak menjadi peramal utama kepada penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Ho3e: Faktor sokongan tidak menjadi peramal utama kepada penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Ho3f: Faktor Masa tidak menjadi peramal utama kepada penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Ho4 Variabel jantina, umur, pengalaman mengajar dan lokasi sekolah tidak menjadi moderator antara hubungan faktor-faktor pendifusian ( pengalaman, efikasi kendiri, kelebihan relatif, kerumitan, sokongan & A ; masa ) dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Ho4a: Variabel jantina tidak menjadi moderator antara hubungan faktor-faktor pendifusian dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Ho4b: Variabel umur tidak menjadi moderator antara hubungan faktor-faktor pendifusian dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Ho4c: Variabel pengalaman mengajar tidak menjadi moderator antara hubungan faktor-faktor pendifusian dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Ho4d: Variabel lokasi sekolah tidak menjadi moderator antara hubungan faktor-faktor pendifusian dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif.1.7 KERANGKA TEORI KAJIANRajah 1.1 Kerangka Teori kajianRajah 1.1 menunjukkan kerangka teori kajian yang menggabungkan Teori Pendifusian Rogers ( 2003 ) , Technology Acceptance Model ( TAM ) ( 1986 ) , Model Theory of Reasoned Action ( TRA ) ( 1975 ) dan Model Theory of Planned Behavior ( TPB ) ( 1986 ) . Berdasarkan teori pendifusian Rogers, penerimaan sesuatu inovasi dipengaruhi oleh faktor-faktor daripada perspektif penerima, perspektif inovasi dan perspektif persekitaran. Kerangka teori menjelaskan bahawa niat untuk melakukan sesuatu tindakan dan persepsi kawalan kelakuan ( Model TRA dan TPB ) akan mempengaruhi keputusan sesorang individu untuk menerima sesuatu inovasi. Dalam konteks kajian ini, niat kelakuan dan persepsi kawalan kelakuan diwakili oleh faktor pengalaman guru dan faktor efikasi kendiri guru untuk mengkaji hubungan faktor -faktor tersebut terhadap penerimaan inovasi perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Model TAM pula menjelaskan bahawa kesenangan mengguna dan persepsi kebergunaan yang ada pada sesuatu inovasi akan menjadi penentu kepada penerimaan inovasi tersebut dalam komuniti penerima. Dengan itu, faktor kelebihan relatif dan kerumitan dipilih untuk mewakili perspektif inovasi dalam mengkaji hubungan antara faktor kelebihan relatif dan kerumitan dengan penerimaan inovasi perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Di samping faktor-faktor daripada perspektif penerima dan perspektif inovasi, Rogers ( 2003 ) menjelaskan bahawa penerimaan sesuatu inovasi juga dipengaruhi oleh sokongan persekitaran di mana inovasi tersebu disebarkan. Sokongan persekitaran dapat dilihat dari aspek sokongan pihak pengurusan, sokongan kemudahan dan sokongan teknikal di samping keperluan Masa untuk membolehkan guru menerima sesuatu inovasi dan mengintegrasikannya dalam P & A ; P. Dalam konteks kajian ini, perspektif persekitaran diwakili oleh faktor-faktor sokongan dan Masa untuk mengkaji hubungan perspektif persekitaran dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif.1.8 KERANGKA KONSEPTUAL KAJIANVariabel Bebas Variabel BersandarVariabel ModeratorRajah 1.2: Hubungan antara Faktor Pendifusian dengan PenerimaanPerisian Kursus Multimedia InteraktifRajah 1.2 menunjukkan kerangka konseptual kajian yang dibina berasaskan kepada Teori Pendifusian oleh Rogers ( 2003 ) , Technology Acceptance Model ( 1989 ) , Model Th eory of Reasoned Action ( 1975 ) dan Model Theory of Planned Behavior ( 1986 ) . Pemilihan faktor-faktor pengalaman dan efikasi kendiri yang mewakili perpektif penerima adalah berdasarkan kepada Model Theory of Reasoned Action dan Model Theory of Planned Behavior. Model-model ini menjelaskan bahawa pengalaman guru dan efikasi kendiri merupakan faktor-faktor penting yang menyumbang kepada penerimaan sesuatu inovasi. Penerimaan inovasi bergantung kepada individu itu sendiri untuk membuat keputusan sama adenosine deaminase untuk menerima atau menolak sesuatu inovasi. Manakala faktor-faktor kerumitan dan kelebihan relatif dipilih berdasarkan Technology Acceptance Model. Kedua-dua faktor ini dikatakan mempunyai pengaruh yang kuat ke atas penerimaan sesuatu inovasi yang berasaskan teknologi. Model ini menekankan bahawa tahap penerimaan sesuatu inovasi adalah bergantung sepenuhnya kepada ciri-ciri inovasi itu sendiri. Faktor-faktor bagi perspektif persekitaran pula dipilih berdasarkan Model Pendifusian oleh Rogers. Model Pendifusian menjelaskan bahawa persepsi dan sokongan persekitaran dari segi sokongan dan Masa amat mempengaruhi pendifusian sesuatu inovasi. Guru di sekolah memerlukan sokongan pentadbiran dan teknikal serta Masa yang secukupnya untuk menggunakan sesuatu inovasi. Berdasarkan tinjauan literatur di samping faktor-faktor pendifusian ( pengalaman, efikasi kendiri, kelebihan relatif, kerumitan, sokongan & A ; Masa ) , variabel-variabel jantina, umur, pengalaman mengajar dan lokasi sekolah juga mempengaruhi penerimaan sesuatu inovasi teknologi. Variabel-variabel tersebut dijadikan sebagai variabel moderator dalam kajian ini kerana menjadi penyederhana antara hubungan faktor-faktor pendifusian dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif.1.9 SKOP KAJIANKajian ini dijalankan di 30 buah Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan ( SMK ) harian bandar dan 30 buah SMK harian luar bandar di negeri Kedah Darul Aman. Di negeri Kedah terdapat 144 buah SMK harian yang meliputi 11 buah daerah pentadbiran iaitu Kota Setar, Kuala Muda, Kulim, Kubang Pasu, Langkawi, Padang Terap, Sik, Baling, Yan, Pendang dan Bandar Baharu. Pembangunan pendidikan di Negeri Kedah adalah berlandaskan polisi pendidikan peringkat kebangsaan yang memberi penekanan kepada kecemerlangan ak demik dan peningkatan golongan profesional dalam pelbagai bidang. Bagi memenuhi keperluan pendidikan di negeri Kedah, kerajaan telah membina sekolah rendah dan sekolah menengah di bandar dan luar bandar. Selain itu, di negeri Kedah juga terdapat beberapa institusi pengajian tinggi awam iaitu Universiti Utara Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Universiti Islam INSANIAH dan Kolej Universiti Pertanian. Rasional pemilihan mata pelajaran Matematik dalam kajian ini adalah kerana Matematik merupakan mata pelajaran yang melibatkan konsep-konsep yang abstrak. Perkara ini menyebabkan parity pelajar menghadapi masalah dalam membina perkaitan antara satu konsep dengan konsep yang lain. Kajian oleh Siaw ( 2008 ) mendapati pencapaian pelajar yang mengikuti pengajaran Matematik secara konvensional iaitu ‘chalk and talk ‘ adalah lebih rendah berbanding pencapaian pelajar yang belajar dengan berbantukan teknologi. Justeru, pengajaran konvensional hanya menekankan kepada konsep hafalan terhadap fakta-fakta yang diberikan oleh guru tanpa memahami perkaitan antara satu konsep dengan satu konsep. Ini menyebabkan pelajar tidak dapat memahami konsep Matematik dengan jelas dan memperoleh pencapaian yang rendah. Pengintegrasian ICT di sekolah menyebabkan pelbagai peralatan teknologi dan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dibekalkan kepada guru Matematik untuk memudahkan pengajaran dalam Indonesian Inggeris dan meningkatkan pemahaman pelajar dalam Matematik. Di samping itu, pendekatan pengajaran juga berubah daripada pendekatan konvensional kepada pendekatan berbantukan teknologi. Penggunaan teknologi dalam P & A ; P membantu parity pelajar membina konsep abstrak dengan ocular yang konkrit. Rasional pemilihan guru Matematik yang mengajar Tingkatan 1 sebagai sampel kajian adalah berdasarkan pada pelaksanaan awal PPSMI di peringkat Darjah 1, Tingkatan 1 dan Tingkatan 6 Rendah. Memandangkan plan ini telah dilaksanakan sejak tahun 2003, guru tersebut merupakan kumpulan perintis pertama yang telah menjalani P & A ; P Matematik menggunakan Bahasa Inggeris. Mereka telah mempunyai pengalaman mengajar dengan menggunakan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Pelajar-pelajar yang memasuki Tingkatan 1 juga telah mempunyai pengalaman belajar dengan menggunakan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif semasa berada di sekolah rendah. Hal ini memudahkan guru untuk mengajar Matematik dengan menggunakan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif.1.10 KEPENTINGAN KAJIANTujuan kajian ini adalah untuk mengkaji hubungan faktor-faktor pendifusian seperti pengalaman, efikasi kendiri, kelebihan relatif, kerumitan, sokongan dan Masa dalam mempengaruhi penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif d alam P & A ; P. Walaupun terdapat banyak faktor yang mempengaruhi penerimaan sesuatu inovasi, tetapi terdapat enam faktor yang dominan dalam tiga perspektif iaitu penerima, inovasi dan persekitaran dipilih untuk melihat hubungan faktor-faktor tersebut dalam menjamin keberkesanan pendifusian dan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Di samping itu, dapatan kajian ini dapat membantu untuk mengenal pasti faktor-faktor yang perlu diberi penekanan dalam pendifusian dan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam kalangan guru. Hasil kajian ini boleh membantu individu yang terlibat dalam mereka bentuk perisian kursus multimedia interaktif untuk P & A ; P. Pereka bentuk perisian kursus dapat mengetahui reka bentuk plan pendidikan yang diharapkan oleh guru dan pelajar. Dengan itu, mereka akan menitikberatkan ciri-ciri pengguna sasaran semasa mereka bentuk produk pendidikan. Dalam konteks kajian ini, perisian kursus multimedia interaktif yang dihasilkan perlu memenuhi keperluan pendidikan dan harus mengambil kira tentang kepelbagaian kebolehan murid dan guru. Penggunaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif perlu sesuai dalam pelbagai persekitaran pembelajaran ( Eliane, 2001 ) . Perisian kursus multimedia interaktif juga perlu mempunyai reka bentuk antaramuka yang baik serta dihasilkan secara profesional supaya dapat digunakan dalam pelbagai gaya P & A ; P. Selain itu, dapatan kajian ini Akan membantu pereka bentuk produk untuk merancang latihan dan pembangunan staf serta mencari penyelesaian kepada pendifusia n sesuatu inovasi yang akan dibangunkan.1.11 LIMITASI KAJIANPenerimaan dan penggunaan teknologi pendidikan hanya berfokus kepada inovasi perisian kursus multimedia interaktif yang dibekalkan oleh Bahagian Teknologi Pendidikan, KPM untuk mata pelajaran Matematik. Di mana, perisian kursus ini mengandungi Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence pelajaran yang lengkap untuk mata pelajaran Matematik serta mengikut sukatan pelajaran sepenuhnya. Responden yang terlibat dalam kajian ini adalah guru Matematik yang mengajar Tingkatan 1 di sekolah menengah kebangsaan ( SMK ) harian yang terletak dalam negeri Kedah sahaja. Sekolah yang terlibat dalam kajian ini adalah terdiri daripada sekolah di bandar dan luar bandar seperti yang telah dikategorikan oleh Jabatan Pelajaran Negeri Kedah. Kajian ini juga terbatas kepada penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam mata pelajaran Matematik sahaja. Penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam mata pelajaran Sains tidak dikaji. Proses pembelajaran mata pelajaran Matematik adalah kompleks dan dinamik. Pengajaran Matematik yang melibatkan konsep-konsep yang abstrak menyebabkan pelajar menghadapi kesukaran menguasai kemahiran Matematik. Perkaitan di antara satu konsep dengan konsep yang lain juga menimbulkan kekeliruan dan menyebabkan pelajar sukar memahami konsep yang baru dan berbeza-beza. Dalam perisian kursus multimedia interaktif Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence pengajaran disusun dan dipersembahkan secara teratur supaya pelajar dapat membina konsep dan kemahiran Matematik secara aktif dan bermakna.1.12 DEFINISI OPERASIONALDalam kajian ini, terdapat istilah-istilah yang perlu diberi definisi untuk pemahaman umum tentang sesuatu makna dan konsep. Definisi istilah tersebut adalah seperti be rikut:1.12.1 Faktor Pendifusian1.12.1 ( a ) PengalamanTahap pengetahuan dan kebolehan sedia ada guru dalam menggunakan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam P & A ; P.1.12.1 ( B ) Efikasi kendiriKepercayaan guru tentang kemampuan menggunakan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam P & A ; P.1.12.1 ( degree Celsius ) Kelebihan relatifPerisian kursus multimedia interaktif yang diterima mampu menggantikan teknologi yang sedia ada serta menjadi penyelesaian kepada perkara-perkara lain.1.12.1 ( vitamin D ) KerumitanKesukaran untuk memahami dan menggunakan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam P & A ; P.1.12.1 ( vitamin E ) SokonganLatihan tentang cara penggunaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam P & A ; P, maklumat atau bahan-bahan yang boleh didapati daripada perisian kursus dan sokongan pihak pentadbiran dalam menggalakkan guru untuk menggunakan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam P & A ; P.1.12.1 ( vitamin E ) MasaMasa untuk mempelajari cara menggunak an perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dan membuat persediaan untuk mengajar dengan menggunakan teknologi tersebut.1.12.2 Penerimaan Perisian Kursus Multimedia InteraktifPengintegrasian perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam proses P & A ; P mata pelajaran Matematik.1.12.3 Perisian Kursus Multimedia InteraktifBahan pengajaran dalam bentuk CD-ROM yang dibekalkan untuk penggunaan guru oleh Bahagian Teknologi Pendidikan untuk mata pelajaran Matematik. Perisian kursus multimedia interaktif yang dibangunkan adalah bersifat resource based berdasarkan kurikulum dan bertujuan membantu pelajar dalam aspek pembelajaran. Bahan pengajaran ini menggabungkan elemen-elemen teks, picture, grafik, animasi dan sound di dalam komputer dan pengguna boleh berinteraksi dengannya ( Putt & A ; Henderson, 1996 ) .1.12.4 Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan HarianSekolah menengah kebangsaan ( SMK ) harian yang ditentukan berdasarkan informations daripada Jabatan Pelajaran Negeri Kedah.1.12.5 Lokasi SekolahLoka si sekolah bandar atau luar bandar ditentukan berdasarkan informations daripada Jabatan Pelajaran Negeri Kedah.1.13 KESIMPULANPerkembangan ICT di Malaysia telah membawa pelbagai perubahan dalam pendidikan. Di mana, pelbagai inovasi teknologi diperkenalkan untuk meningkatkan lagi keberkesanan penyampaian pengajaran dalam bilik darjah. Perisian kursus multimedia interaktif merupakan suatu inovasi penting yang diperkenalkan dalam proses P & A ; P mata pelajaran Matematik dan Sains menerusi plan PPSMI. Pihak KPM berharap penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dapat membawa perubahan besar Dari aspek kaedah pengajaran guru dan cara pembelajaran pelajar. Walau bagaimanapun, kajian-kajian Lepas menunjukkan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam kalangan guru masih berada pada tahap yang rendah. Oleh itu, enam faktor yang menjadi peramal utama dalam keberkesanan pendifusian dikaji untuk melihat hubungan antara faktor-faktor tersebut dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam kalangan guru Matematik di Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan harian di negeri Kedah. Di samping itu, sumbangan variabel-variabel jantina, umur, pengalaman mengajar dan lokasi sekolah sebagai moderator hubungan antara faktor-faktor pendifusian dengan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif juga turut dikaji.BAB 2TINJAUAN LITERATUR2.1 PengenalanKajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti faktor-faktor yang boleh mempengaruhi proses pendifusian dalam persekitaran pendidikan. Faktor pengalaman dan efikasi kendiri digunakan untuk mengkaji ciri-ciri penerima inovasi. Faktor kelebihan relatif dan kerumitan dipilih untuk melihat ciri-cir i inovasi itu sendiri. Manakala faktor sokongan dan Masa pula adalah berasaskan kepada ciri-ciri persekitaran di mana sesuatu inovasi akan diperkenalkan. Tinjauan literatur ini Akan memberi fokus kepada teori pendifusian inovasi, model-model, faktor-faktor pendifusian, pelaksanaan pengajaran berbantukan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dan penerimaan inovasi.2.2 Konsep dan definisi Pendifusian InovasiPendifusian inovasi ialah suatu proses bagaimana inovasi disebarkan melalui saluran komunikasi tertentu kepada ahli-ahli dalam suatu sistem sosial. Rogers ( 2003 ) menegaskan bahawa penerimaan sesuatu inovasi bergantung pada empat unsur iaitu ciri inovasi, saluran komunikasi, masa dan sistem sosial. Menurut Yusuf ( 1998 ) sesuatu inovasi yang diperkenalkan boleh dikatakan berjaya melalui proses pendifusian sekiranya lebih 84 peratus pengguna akhir telah menerima dan menggunakan inovasi itu. Dengan itu, kejayaan sesuatu inovasi banyak bergantung pada faktor pendifusian inovasi terse but. Menurut Sherry dan Gibson ( 2002 ) kajian tentang penggunaan inovasi telah dijalankan lebih daripada 30 tahun dahulu dan teori Pendifusian Rogers ( 2003 ) telah menjadi asas kepada kajian-kajian yang berkaitan dengan pendifusian inovasi. Teori Pendufisian Rogers ( 2003 ) mempunyai hubungan yang kuat dengan inovasi di dalam bidang teknologi pendidikan kerana menekankan proses penyebaran maklumat setelah berlakunya sesuatu inovasi. Menurut Rogers ( 2003 ) , sesuatu thought atau inovasi baru amat sukar diterima walaupun thought tersebut mempunyai banyak kelebihan. Ini menyebabkan kajian tentang pendifusian inovasi diberi tumpuan untuk mengenal pasti punca penerimaan atau penolakan sesuatu inovasi.2.3 Teori Pendifusian Rogers ( 2003 )Teori Pendifusian oleh Rogers sering digunakan sebagai kerangka penyelidikan oleh penyelidik di seluruh dunia. Dalam teorinya, beliau menerangkan tentang proses pendifusian, kategori penerima, sifat-sifat inovasi dan kadar pendifusian. Teori ini memberi pene kanan bahawa di samping mereka bentuk sesuatu inovasi yang baik, ahli teknologi pendidikan juga perlu memikirkan tentang cara untuk mendifusikan inovasi tersebut. Perkara utama yang perlu dititikberatkan dalam pendifusian inovasi ialah bagaimana sesuatu inovasi itu diterima dan mengapa penerimaan inovasi ini berlaku pada kadar yang berbeza. Sumber: Terjemahan dari Rogers ( 2003 )Rajah 2.1: Teori Pendifusian Inovasi Rogers ( 2003 )Rajah 2.1 menunjukkan proses pendifusian mengikut Teori Rogers ( 2003 ) . Berdasarkan teori tersebut proses pendifusian terbahagi kepada Lima langkah iaitu pengetahuan, pujukan, membuat keputusan, pelaksanaan dan pengesahan. Seseorang yang bakal menerima sesuatu inovasi perlu memahami dengan lebih mendalam tentang inovasi tersebut serta cara penggunaannya sebelum membuat keputusan untuk menerima inovasi tersebut atau sebaliknya. Apabila sesuatu komuniti masyarakat telah bersedia untuk menerima inovasi yang baru maka pereka bentuk perlu merancang cara untuk menyalurkan inovasi tersebut kepada masyarakat. Rogers ( 2003 ) menyatakan faktor- faktor utama yang mempengaruhi proses penyebaran ialah inovasi itu sendiri, bagaimana untuk menyebarkan maklumat tentang inovasi yang telah dibuat, Masa penyebaran dan struktur masyarakat di mana inovasi itu disebarkan. Teori pendifusian amat penting kerana teori ini menyatakan bahawa proses pendifusian bukanlah satu perkara yang muktamad malah merupakan satu proses berterusan yang boleh dikaji, dipermudahkan dan disokong. Menurut Rogers ( 2003 ) penerimaan seseorang individu terhadap inovasi yang diperkenalkan adalah tidak sama. Penerimaan terhadap inovasi banyak dipengaruhi oleh ciri-ciri peribadi serta latar belakang individu itu sendiri tentang sejauh mana bersedia untuk menerima inovasi. Menurut Rogers ( 2003 ) terdapat lima tahap penerima inovasi iaitu perintis ( pioneers ) ( 2.5 % ) , penerima awal ( early adoptive parents ) ( 13.5 % ) , penerima majoriti awal ( early bulk ) ( 34 % ) , penerima majoriti lewat ( late bulk ) ( 34 % ) dan penerima lembab ( dawdlers ) ( 16 % ) . Secara keseluruhannya, Teori Rogers ( 2003 ) membincangkan dengan mendalam bagaimana sesuatu yang baru sama adenosine deaminase dalam bentuk thought, teknologi, barangan atau teknik-teknik berkembang dalam berbagai-bagai khalayak sehingga diterima dan diamalkan sepenuhnya oleh masyarakat. Dalam konteks kajian ini, Teori Pendifusian Rogers digunakan untuk mengkaji penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam P & A ; P dalam kalangan guru dan faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi keputusan guru untuk menerima inovasi perisian kursus multimedia interaktif.2.4 Model-modelBerikut merupakan model-model yang digunakan dalam kajian untuk melihat pengaruh faktor-faktor pendifusian dengan penerimaan teknologi perisian kursus. Technology Acceptance Model ( 1989 ) merupakan model utama yang dirujuk dalam kajian ini manakala Model Theory of Reasoned Action ( 1975 ) dan Model Theory of Planned Behavior ( 1986 ) digunakan untuk menyokongnya.2.4.1 Theory of Reasoned Action ( 1975 )Fishbein dan A jzen ( 1975 ) merupakan pengasas kepada Model Theory of Reasoned Action ( TRA ) . Model ini adalah asas kepada perhubungan di antara dua komponen kepercayaan iaitu persepsi terhadap kebergunaan ( sensed utility ) dan persepsi terhadap kesenangan mengguna ( sensed easiness of usage ) . Berdasarkan Model TRA ( Rajah 2.2 ) , niat menjadi penentu kepada berlakunya sesuatu kelakuan. Di mana, kepercayaan individu akan mempengaruhi sikap individu dan seterusnya membentuk niat yang akan menghasilkan sesuatu kelakuan. Sumber: Fishbein dan Ajzen ( 1975 )Rajah 2.2: Theory of Reasoned Action ( 1975 )Model ini menjelaskan bahawa sikap seseorang terhadap kelakuan dan norma subjektif Akan menentukan niat kelakuan. Sikap seseorang terhadap kelakuan merujuk kepada penilaiannya bahawa sama adenosine deaminase pelaksanaan sesuatu kelakuan adalah baik atau buruk. Manakala norma subjektif pula menunjukkan pengaruh sosial yang mempengaruhi seseorang sama adenosine deaminase melaksanakan sesuatu kelakuan atau tidak. Di samping itu, theoretical account TRA juga menegaskan bahawa sikap merupakan satu fungsi daripada kepercayaan. Pada umumnya, seseorang individu yang mempercayai bahawa pelaksanaan sesuatu kelakuan akan membawa hasil positif dan ini Akan menyebabkan indvidu tersebut menunjukkan satu sikap yang baik ke arah pelaksanaan kelakuan tersebut dan sebaliknya ( Fishbein dan Ajzen, 1975 ) . Model TRA telah menjadi asas kepada kewujudan Model Theory of Planned Behavior ( 1986 ) dan Technology Acceptance Model ( 1989 ) . Dalam konteks kajian ini, Model TRA akan digunakan untuk mengenal pasti bagaimana pengalaman guru dalam menggunakan teknologi dapat mempengaruhi penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam kalangan guru Matematik. Pengalaman seseorang guru akan mengurangkan kebimbangan dan menggalakkan guru untuk mengubah sikap atau tingkah lakunya untuk menerima perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dan mengintegrasikannya dalam P & A ; P mata pelajaran Matematik.2.4.2 Theory of Planned Behavior ( 1986 )Theory of Planned Behavior ( TPB ) diasaskan oleh Ajzen dan Madden ( 1986 ) Mereka telah mengubahsuai theoretical account TRA dengan memasukkan satu variabel tambahan iaitu persepsi kawalan kelakuan ( sensed behavioural control ) . Persepsi kawalan kelakuan merujuk kepada tanggapan seseorang individu terhadap halangan dalaman atau halangan luaran yang dihadapi semasa melakukan sesuatu kelakuan ( Ajzen, 1985 ) . Sumber: Ajzen dan Madden ( 1986 )Rajah 2.3: Theory of Planned Behavior ( 1986 )Model TPB ( Rajah 2.3 ) menjelaskan bahawa pengawalan kelakuan secara langsung mempengaruhi niat untuk melaksanakan sesuatu kelakuan dan kemungkinan juga secara langsung mempengaruhi kelakuan dalam situasi di mana pengguna berniat untuk melaksanakan sesuatu kelakuan tetapi dihalang daripada melakukan tindakan tersebut. Mengikut theoretical account TPB, kelakuan seseorang individu dapat dijelaskan melalui niat kelakuan seseorang itu di mana niat kelakuan dipengaruhi juga oleh sikap, norma subjektif dan persepsi kawalan kelakuan. Pengaplikasian theoretical account TPB dalam kajian ini dapat dilihat dari aspek bagaimana kawalan kelakuan mempengaruhi niat guru untuk menerima perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam P & A ; P mata pelajaran Matematik. Persepsi kawalan kelakuan yang positif dalam kalangan guru akan mempengaruhi niat guru untuk menerima perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Manakala persepsi kawalan kelakuan yang negatif boleh menyebakan wujud halangan-halangan kepada penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Dalam konteksi kajian ini, persepsi kawalan kelakuan akan diwakili oleh variabel efikasi kendiri.2.4.3 Technology Acceptance Model ( 1989 )Technology Acceptance Model ( TAM ) dibina oleh Davis ( 1986 ) dan diperkenalkan oleh Davis, Bagozzi dan Warshaw ( 1989 ) . Model ini merupakan adaptasi daripada Model Theory of Reasoned Action. Dalam TAM terdapat dua konstruk yang penting yang terlibat dalam penerimaan teknologi maklumat iaitu persepsi terhadap kebergunaan ( sensed utility ) d an persepsi terhadap kesenangan mengguna ( perceived ease-of-use ) . TAM menekankan bahawa niat untuk menggunakan sesuatu sistem adalah ditentukan oleh kedua-dua persepsi terhadap kebergunaan dan persepsi terhadap kesenangan mengguna. Rajah 2.4 menunjukkan hubungan konstruk-konstruk dalam TAM. Sumber: Davis et Al. ( 1989 )Rajah 2.4: Technology Acceptance Model ( 1989 )Persepsi terhadap kebergunaan dijelaskan sebagai individu merasakan teknologi maklumat mudah dikendalikan untuk melaksanakan tugas-tugas yang diberikan di tempat kerja. Manakala persepsi terhadap kesenangan mengguna pula menjelaskan individu mempunyai persepsi bahawa penggunaan teknologi maklumat di tempat kerja akan meningkatkan kualiti kerja dan produktiviti. Kedua-dua persepsi ini Akan mempengaruhi sikap individu terhadap penggunaan sesuatu teknologi manakala sikap dan persepsi terhadap kebergunaan akan meramalkan niat perlakuan individu. Selain itu, persepsi terhadap kesenangan mengguna akan mempengaruhi persepsi terhadap kebergunaan. Peningkatan pengantaraan di antara pengguna Akan memberi kesan yang kuat terhadap kedua-dua persepsi ini. Tambahan pula, Davis ( 1986 ) telah menyatakan bahawa persepsi terhadap kesenangan mengguna akan memberi kesan positif kepada penerimaan teknologi. Dalam TAM, persepsi terhadap kebergunaan adalah faktor utama manakala persepsi terhadap kesenangan mengguna adalah faktor kedua menjadi penentu kepada penggunaan teknologi ( Saade & A ; Bahli, 2005 ) . Dalam konteks kajian ini, kebergunaan perisian kursus dan kesenangan menggunakan perisian kursus dikaji untuk melihat hubungan faktor-faktor tersebut terhadap penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam kalangan guru Matematik. Berdasarkan teori ini, faktor kebergunaan dan kesenangan mengguna perisian kursus multimedia interaktif akan mempengaruhi guru untuk menerima dan mengintegrasikan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam P & A ; P mata pelajaran Matematik. Model ini menjelaskan ciri-ciri yang ada pada perisian kursus multimedia interaktif akan menjadi penentu kepada penerimaan inovasi tersebut dalam kalangan guru Matematik yang mengajar Tingkatan 1.2.5 Faktor-faktor yang telah dikenal pasti menjadi halangan kepada Pendifusian dan Penerimaan InovasiPakar bidang pendifusian inovasi mendapati bahawa tidak terdapat satu faktor khas atau sekumpulan faktor yang boleh digunakan untuk menerangkan kekurangan penerimaan sesuatu inovasi. Pakar teknologi pendidikan telah men jalankan beberapa kajian untuk mengenal pasti faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi pendifusian dan penerimaan sesuatu inovasi teknologi. Rogers ( 2001 ) telah menjalankan kajian dengan menggunakan kaedah temu bual untuk mengenal pasti halangan-halangan yang dihadapi semasa pendifusian sesuatu teknologi. Antara halangan yang dikenal pasti ialah keperluan staf sokongan bahagian teknikal, keperluan Masa yang lebih, keperluan latihan dan kekurangan perkongsian maklumat. Morris ( 2001 ) pula mendapati faktor-faktor kekurangan bantuan teknikal, kekurangan peralatan, Masa terhad, kekurangan kemahiran komputer dan ketiadaan sokongan daripada pihak pengurusan menjadi halangan kepada guru semasa menerima dan mengintegrasikan teknologi dalam pengajaran. Kajian oleh Anderson, Varnhagen dan Campbell ( 1998 ) ke atas 557 Pongo pygmaeus guru telah mengenal pasti sembilan faktor yang menjadi penghalang kepada penerimaan bahan teknologi iaitu kekurangan kewangan, kekurangan Masa, infrastruktur, perkakasan komputer, sokongan pihak pengurusan, pengetahuan tentang cara menggunakan teknologi dalam pengajaran, capaian kepada perisian, kekurangan latihan dan sokongan dan maklumat tentang teknologi yang sedia adenosine deaminase. Kajian tinjauan oleh Beggs ( 2000 ) ke atas 348 Pongo pygmaeus guru mendapati terdapat hubungan yang signifikan antara gaya pengajaran guru, teknologi yang sesuai, dan sokongan pihak pengurusan dengan penerimaan dan penggunaan teknologi. Ini menjelaskan bahawa peningkatan dalam faktor-faktor tersebut turut menyebabkan peningkatan dalam tahap penerimaan teknologi. Mohd. Sarif ( 1998 ) yang telah mengkaji tentang faktor-faktor yang menjadi penghalang kepada pendifusian teknologi pendidikan dalam kalangan guru Sekolah Menengah Sains di pantai Tamerlane semenanjung Malaysia. Mohd. Sarif telah menguji empat faktor iaitu individu, birokratik, ekonomi dan logistik dan mendapati faktor-faktor tersebut menyumbang kepada keberkesanan proses pendifusian dan peningkatan penerimaan teknologi pendidikan dalam kalangan guru. Ini menjelaskan bahawa sumbangan pelbagai faktor yang terkandung proses pendifusian menjadi penentu kepada kejayaan penerimaan sesuatu inovasi atau sebaliknya dalam kalangan komuniti penerima inovasi tersebut. Kelebihan inovasi itu sendiri hanya merupakan satu faktor yang mempengaruhi penerimaan inovasi kerana kejayaan penerimaan inovasi turut dipengaruhi oleh faktor penerima, sokongan, kemudahan, kewangan dan Masa.2.6 Faktor-faktor Pendifusian InovasiTerdapat enam faktor yang dianggap mempunyai pengaruh yang kuat dengan proses pendifusian inovasi. Faktor-faktor ini dipilih berdasarkan Teori Pendifusian Rogers ( 2003 ) dan TAM ( 1989 ) , TRA ( 1975 ) dan TPB ( 1986 ) yang berkaitan dengan proses inovasi dan difusi yang merangkumi tiga perspektif iaitu perspektif penerima, perspektif inovasi dan perspektif persekitaran.2.6.1 Perspektif PenerimaPerspektif penerima merujuk kepada ciri-ciri peribadi seseorang individu Dari segi pengalaman dan efikasi kendiri.2.6.1 ( a ) PengalamanPengala man didefinisikan sebagai tahap pengetahuan dan kebolehan sedia ada pengguna dalam menggunakan sesuatu inovasi. Bandura ( 1997 ) telah menegaskan bahawa pengalaman mungkin dapat mengurangkan kebimbangan dan menggalakkan individu untuk mengubah sikap atau tingkah lakunya. Anderson, Varnhagen dan Campbell ( 1998 ) mendapati guru teknologi yang menggunakan pelbagai plan komputer lebih mahir dan mempunyai pengalaman yang banyak berbanding guru lain. Stone dan Henry ( 2003 ) menyatakan bahawa pengalaman yang positif akan menyebabkan seseorang pengguna lebih yakin apabila menggunakan inovasi yang hampir serupa. Dengan kata lain, pengalaman Lepas yang positif akan meningkatkan keyakinan terhadap sesuatu inovasi, manakala pengalaman negatif akan menyebabkan keyakinan terhadap sesuatu inovasi semakin berkurangan. Kajian oleh Ndubisi ( 2004 ) menunjukkan bahawa pengalaman menggunakan komputer mempunyai kaitan secara tidak langsung dengan keinginan seseorang menerima teknologi baru. Dalam konteks kajian ini, pengalaman dilihat dari aspek tahap pengetahuan dan kebolehan sedia ada pengguna dalam menggunakan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam P & A ; P. Pengetahuan tentang teknologi dan pengalaman yang menarik akan meningkatkan sikap positif guru terhadap penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dan pengintegrasiannya dalam pengajaran, seterusnya mengurangkan atau menghilangkan kebimbangan terhadap penerimaan teknologi ( Bruce, 2005 ) .2.6.1 ( B ) Efikasi KendiriMenurut Teori Efikasi Kendiri Bandura ( 1997 ) , pertimbangan efikasi kendiri adalah berdasarkan kepada beberapa jenis maklumat. Antaranya ialah pelaksanaan prestasi, pengalaman, kebangkitan emosi dan pujukan lisan. Bandura ( 1997 ) menyatakan efikasi kendiri yang positif mampu menggalakkan pembelajaran kemahiran-kemahiran baru manakala efikasi kendiri yang negatif boleh mewujudkan halangan-halangan kepada penerokaan perkara baru. Dapatan kajian oleh Lin dan Jeffres ( 1998 ) menunjukkan guru yang mempunyai efikasi kendiri yang rendah mempunyai tahap kebimbangan yang tinggi terhadap komputer. Kesan ini akan meningkatkan halangan-halangan untuk seseorang pendidik mempelajari teknologi baru. Di samping itu, Pajares ( 2002 ) mendapati perasaan rasa selesa atau bimbang terhadap komputer boleh mempengaruhi keyakinan individu terhadap komputer. Justeru, tahap keyakinan memainkan peranan sebagai penentu yang signifikan dalam menentukan keinginan untuk mempelajari kemahiran teknologi. Bennett dan Bennett ( 2003 ) telah mengkaji tentang ciri-ciri teknologi yang boleh mempengaruhi penerimaan teknologi tersebut dalam P & A ; P. Berdasarkan dapatan kajian, Bennett dan Bennett merumuskan bahawa kekurangan bajet dan kelemahan teknologi bukan lagi menjadi faktor utama penerimaan sesuatu teknologi. Bennett dan Bennett mendapati kekurangan keyakinan guru terhadap kemampuan teknologi dan kurangnya kesediaan guru dalam menerima sesuatu teknologi merupakan faktor penting yang menentukan penerimaan sesuatu teknologi baru dalam P & A ; P.2.6.2 Perspektif InovasiPerspektif Inovasi merujuk kepada ciri-ciri inovasi itu sendiri Dari segi kelebihan relatif dan kerumitan dalam penerimaannya.2.6.2 ( a ) Kelebihan RelatifKelebihan relatif ditakrifkan sebagai ciri-ciri inovasi yang dianggap lebih baik, mampu menggantikan teknologi yang sedia ada serta menjadi penyelesaian kepada perkara-perkara lain ( Rogers, 2003 ) . Tahap kelebihan relatif sesuatu inovasi sering dikaitkan dengan aspek keuntungan, prestij sosial atau faedah lain. Kelebihan relatif guru dijangka dapat meningkatkan tahap penerimaan sesuatu inovasi ( Moore & A ; Benbasat, 1991 ) . Rogers ( 2001 ) merumuskan bahawa kelebihan relatif sesuatu inovasi akan mempengaruhi kadar pendifusian secara positif. Butler dan Sellbom ( 2002 ) telah menjalankan kajian tinjauan ke atas 410 Pongo pygmaeus guru untuk mengenal pasti faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi guru menerima teknologi pengajaran dan kekangan-kekangan yang dihadapi semasa menerima sesuatu teknologi pengajaran. Dapatan kajian Butler dan Sellbom ( 2002 ) menunjukkan kelebihan teknologi itu sendiri menjadi faktor yang penting dalam membantu guru membuat keputusan menerima dan menggunakan sesuatu teknologi dalam P & A ; P.2.6.2 ( B ) KerumitanKerumitan dimaksudkan kesukaran untuk memahami dan menggunakan sesuatu inovasi teknologi pendidikan ( Rogers, 2003 ) . Sesuatu inovasi yang dianggap rumit untuk diguna Akan menghadapi pelbagai halangan dalam usaha untuk menggalakkan penerimaan dan proses pendifusian berbanding inovasi yang lebih mudah untuk dipelajari ( Moore & A ; Benbasat, 1991 ) . Oleh itu, Rogers ( 2003 ) merumuskan bahawa tahap kerumitan sesuatu inovasi akan memberikan kesan yang negatif ke atas tahap pendifusian sesuatu ino vasi. Dalam konteks kajian ini, kerumitan penggunaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dikaji. Lin dan Jeffres ( 1998 ) mendapati wujud hubungan yang positif antara kemudahan penggunaan dan tingkah laku. Lin dan Jeffres ( 1998 ) mendapati kemudahan penggunaan menjadi faktor penentu penerimaan sesuatu inovasi. Ini menjelaskan bahawa sekiranya penggunaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif menjadi kompleks dan menyukarkan guru, ia Akan memberi kesan kepada tahap penerimaannya.2.6.3 Perspektif PersekitaranPerspektif Persekitaran pula merujuk kepada persepsi dan sokongan persekitaran dari segi sokongan dan Masa.2.6.3 ( a ) SokonganFarquhar dan Surry ( 1997 ) berpendapat gabungan faktor-faktor organisasi dan faktor-faktor penerimaan sesuatu inovasi oleh individu amat mempengaruhi proses pendifusian dan penggunaan sesuatu produk pendidikan. Farquhar dan Surry ( 1997 ) menyatakan bahawa kekurangan sokongan persekitaran boleh menjadi penghalang utama kejayaan sesuatu pendifusian inovasi. Groves dan Zemel ( 2000 ) mendapati aspek sokongan seperti latihan tentang cara penggunaan sesuatu teknologi, maklumat atau bahan-bahan yang boleh didapati, dan sokongan pihak pentadbiran adalah faktor-faktor yang penting yang mempengaruhi penggunaan teknologi dalam pendidikan. Morris ( 2001 ) pula mendapati kekurangan sokongan teknikal, tidak mempunyai kelengkapan yang mencukupi atau perisian dan kekurangan guru atau sokongan pentadbiran adalah antara faktor-faktor yang menghalang guru dalam mengaplikasikan teknologi pendidikan dalam proses P & A ; P. Dalam kajian lain, Askar dan Usluel ( 2005 ) telah menjalankan temu bual ke atas 27 orang guru untuk mengenal pasti faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi pendifusian Komputer di sekolah. Hasil temu bual menunjukkan faktor kekurangan sokongan dari segi penyediaan kemudahan perkakasan dan perisian, peruntukan bajet untuk membeli peralatan teknologi dan latihan kepada guru menjadi penghalang utama dalam mendifusikan teknologi komputer di sekolah.2.6.3 ( B ) MasaKajian oleh Seminoff dan Wepner ( 1997 ) menunjukkan bahawa guru kurang menggunakan teknologi dalam pengajaran kerana mereka tidak diberikan Masa untuk membuat persediaan. Dalam kajian ini, faktor Masa dikaji untuk melihat pengaruh masa dan penerimaan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif dalam pengajaran. Dalam kajian mengenai faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi penggunaan teknologi dan halangan-halangan untuk penggunaan teknologi, Groves dan Zemel ( 2000 ) mendapati masa interaksi memainkan peranan yang penting dalam mempengaruhi penggun aan sesuatu inovasi kerana guru memerlukan Masa untuk mempelajarinya. Norhayati ( 2000 ) telah menjalankan ke atas 15 orang guru yang mengajar mata pelajaran komputer dalam pendidikan. Dapatan kajian Norhayati menunjukkan guru menghadapi masalah kekangan masa untuk menyediakan bahan pengajaran yang berbantukan komputer kerana jadual waktu pengajaran yang padat dan dibebani dengan tugas-tugas lain. Braak ( 2001 ) yang telah mengkaji tentang faktor yang mempengaruhi penerimaan teknologi dalam kalangan guru sekolah menengah mendapati kekurangan masa merupakan antara faktor utama yang menyebabkan kurangnya penerimaan dan penggunaan teknologi Computer Mediated Communications ( CMC ) dalam P & A ; P. Oleh yang demikian, guru perlu diberi Masa yang mencukupi untuk membuat persediaan mengajar dengan menggunakan perisian kursus multimedia interaktif. Beban tugas guru yang mengajar mata pelajaran Matematik, Sains dan Teknologi perlu dikurangkan supaya mereka mempunyai Masa untuk meneroka inovasi baru dan mengaplikasikannya dalam P & A ; P ( Poe, 2000 ) .2.7 Penerimaan Inovasi dengan variabel Jantina, Umur, Pengalaman Mengajar dan Lokasi SekolahKajian oleh Norhayati ( 2000 ) ke atas guru-guru yang mengajar mata pelajaran komputer dalam pendidikan menunjukkan latar belakang guru amat mempengaruhi tahap penerimaan komputer dalam P & A ; P. Selain itu, Shahrinaz ( 2009 ) telah membuat kajian tentang penerimaan web log sebagai alat pembelajaran dalam kalangan pelajar universiti swasta. Beliau mendapati faktor latar belakang responden seperti jantina, umur dan pengalaman yang dijadikan sebagai variabel moderator memberi sumbangan kepada peningkatan dalam niat pelajar untuk menerima teknolo gi web log sebagai alat pembelajaran. Kajian oleh Chen ( 1986 ) tentang jantina dan komputer mendapati responden lelaki mempunyai sikap yang lebih positif berbanding responden perempuan. Dupagne dan Krendl ( 1992 ) juga menyatakan bahawa guru lelaki lebih bersikap positif tentang komputer jika dibandingkan dengan guru perempuan. Walau bagaimanapun, kajian oleh Abdul Wahab Kamaliah dan Hasrina ( 2006 ) tentang penerimaan teknologi pendidikan dalam kalangan guru sekolah menengah di negeri Pulau Pinang mendapati tidak terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan antara guru lelaki dan guru perempuan dalam penerimaan komputer dalam P & A ; P. Namun demikian, Phang ( 1998 ) telah menjalankan kajian penerimaan komputer dalam kalangan guru sekolah menengah dan mendapati terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan di antara umur guru dan penerimaan komputer. Walaupun guru yang lebih tua mempunyai sikap yang positif terhadap komputer tetapi tahap penerimaan komputer mereka adalah lebih rendah berbanding dengan guru yang muda. Manakala kajian oleh Abdul Wahab et Al. ( 2006 ) menunjukkan tidak terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan antara kategori umur Dari segi penerimaan teknologi pendidikan dalam proses P & A ; P. Kamarudin ( 1997 ) telah menjalankan kajian tentang literasi komputer dalam kalangan guru sekolah menengah di Daerah Kuala Muda/Yan, Kedah. Dapatan kajian beliau menunjukkan tidak terdapat perbezaan signifikan dalam kalangan guru yang mempunyai pengalaman mengajar yang berlainan. Manakala kajian oleh Ting ( 2004 ) tentang tahap penerimaan komputer dalam kalangan guru Kemahiran Hidup di SMK di Daerah Johor Bharu mendapati guru yang berpengalaman mengajar lebih lama mempunyai tahap penerimaan komputer yang lebih tinggi. Bagi mengukur variabel lokasi sekolah, dapatan kajian Kamarudin ( 1997 ) menunjukkan tidak terdapat perbezaan signifikan dalam tahap literasi di antara guru-guru yang bertugas di sekolah dalam bandar dan di luar bandar. Justeru, kajian oleh Siti Norazlina ( 2008 ) untuk mengenal pasti halangan yang dihadapi dalam penggunaan komputer dan ICT dalam kalangan guru SMK luar bandar di Daerah Kulai Jaya mendapati tahap penggunaan komputer dan ICT dalam kalangan guru masih sederhana. Dapatan menunjukkan kekurangan kemudahan merupakan halangan utama dalam penggunaan komputer dan ICT di sekolah luar band