No abstract

This study stresses the global impact of Microsoft teams’ app in enhancing teaching-learning English during the Coronavirus (COVID-19). As one of the preventive steps for transmitting coronavirus infection, the introduction of lockdown and social distancing has been implemented, resulting in complete paralysis of global activities. There exists a shift from the usual learning practice to online learning, especially the complete shutdown of the education system to comply with the academic curriculum. This can be cited with more online courses, workshops, meetings, etc. It should be remembered that, during this crisis, the world is fully dependent on information technology. The present research offers, therefore, an insight into the impact of Microsoft teams’ app in enhancing teaching-learning English during Coronavirus (COVID-19). Thus, the sample was chosen conveniently from the population of English language teachers and included (25) teachers, 56% of them were females, 52% ageing 31 to 40 years old, with 48% indicating a teaching experience over ten years questionnaire consisted of (15) items of one dimension developed by the researchers based on their experiences and the available literature, In addition, the teachers indicated that the most significant feature of Ms. Teams is that it enables students to share files and share content and that it includes screen sharing options that allow teachers the freedom to display what they choose during a class, indicating that it creates an interactive atmosphere between students, teachers and the community inside and outside the classroom. Furthermore, the researchers recommended using Microsoft teams’ app and giving the English language teachers, students, and parents online workshops on how to use the app, also for the ministry of education to adopt the app.

Many studies on indigenous education focus on measuring the indigenous students’ literacy and understanding the sociocultural blockades in learning; however, less studies have been done on reconnoitering the teachers’ experiences in teaching indigenous school children, especially in teaching the English language. The main objective of the study is to explore the challenges faced by English language teachers at an indigenous national school in teaching the English language.  In addition, it will also explore the exertions made by the teachers in their quest of boosting the teaching and learning process. This study applied a case study approach to really understand the experiences of the teachers in teaching the indigenous children. The study was conducted at an indigenous national school that teaches 100% indigenous students. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with nine primary school English language teachers. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis, where data were transcribed verbatim, coded and characterized into substantial themes. The findings show that the English language teachers were faced with two main challenges which were navigating the learning issues of indigenous children and expertise issues of the teachers. However, despite the challenges, the teachers were constantly thinking of ways for the betterment of the indigenous students’ holistic achievement such as trying to understand the students’ cultural norms as well as nurturing the predisposition of students in learning. It is hoped that this study could contribute to the professional development efforts and supportive agendas for English language teachers teaching indigenous school children.   Kebanyakan kajian pendidikan Orang Asli terfokus kepada pengukuran literasi murid Orang Asli dan juga tentang halangan sosio-budaya di dalam proses pembelajaran di sekolah; tetapi tidak banyak kajian di lakukan tentang pengalaman guru-guru yang mengajar murid Orang Asli di sekolah, terutamanya di dalam mengajar Bahasa Inggeris. Kajian ini meliputi tema penyediaan pendidikan holistik dengan meneroka cabaran yang dihadapi dan usaha yang dilakukan oleh guru-guru di sebuah sekolah kebangsaan Orang Asli di Malaysia. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kajian kes dan dijalankan di sebuah sekolah kebangsaan Orang Asli di Semenanjung Malaysia. Kajian ini melibatkan sembilan guru Bahasa Inggeris di sebuah sekolah. Data dikutip melalui temubual berstruktur dan data kemudiannya dianalisis menggunakan analisis bertema, di mana data ditranskripsi, dikod dan dikategorikan mengikit tema yang signifikan.  Dapatan kajian menunjukkan guru-guru berhadapan dengan dua cabaran utama iaitu gaya pembelajaran murid yang berbeza dan juga masalah kepakaran guru. Walau bagaimanapun, guru-guru juga berusaha untuk memahami budaya pelajar dan mengenal pasti kekuatan pelajar di dalam mendidik mereka. Adalah diharapkan bahawa dapatan kajian dapat menyumbang kepada pembangunan profesional dan juga menjadi agenda yang menyokong guru-guru Bahasa Inggeris yang mengajar di sekolah Orang Asli

Within the context of the Islamic religion, having Taqwa or the traits of righteousness is imperative because Taqwa reflects the level of a Muslim's faith. Hence, the purpose of the present study was to identify the traits of Takwa in surah Al-Baqara in the Holy Quran. The data for this study were obtained from verses in surah Al-Baqara. Purposive sampling was used to select the verses that contain the traits of Taqwa using an established tafseer (Quranic interpretation) in the Qurainic field as a guideline in marking the Taqwa traits in sampling the verses. Two experts in the field of Quranic tafseer validated the traits of Taqwa extracted from each selected verse. The data were analyzed using manifest and latent content analyses. The findings reveal 10 categories of traits of Taqwa which are tawheed or monotheism, do good to others, performing solah, paying of zakat, honouring rights, repentance, doing good deeds, righteous communication, being grateful, being sincere, and recognition of the absoluteness of Allah's sovereignty. Sequential emphasisbased analysis was used to tabulate the reiteration of each trait of Taqwa in order to find out the trait that is most frequently emphasized in the form of reiteration. Among the Taqwa category traits, the major emphasis is on tawheed or believing the oneness of Allah. The findings help in enhancing the understanding and the meta-framework of the traits of Taqwa, which is particularly useful for non-scholarly Muslims in strengthening their Islamic faith in accordance to what is commanded in the Holy Quran.

Bloom’s Taxonomy known as a hierarchical framework of learning objective that is used by teachers to measure students’ higher order thinking skills based on questions in learning. There are three domain on Bloom taxonomy which is cognitive (intellectual skill), affective (generic skill) and psychomotor (practical skill). The cognitive domain of Bloom consists of six level organized in a hierarchy from lower until higher level which includes remembering, understanding, application, analysis, evaluation and creating. Since it is introduce by Benjamin Bloom in year 1956, studies have shown there are numerous Western studies have been discusess the strengths and weaknesses of Bloom Taxonomy. However, what is the position of Bloom's Taxonomy according to the Islamic perspectives? Therefore, this paper will concentrate on the criticisms by Western and Islamic perspective against Bloom’s Taxonomy. This study will be conducted using qualitative method by analysing data with descriptive method. The findings show there are criticisms and improvements in the past studies that focus on Bloom's taxonomy into four themes: (1) hierarchical structure, (2) classification structure, (3) uses and (4) new taxonomy requirements to fit the new skills required by the 21st century learning. Indeed, this article can provides a catalyst for further exploration of Islamic influence in education. Abstrak Taksonomi  Bloom merupakan  objektif  pendidikan  yang  digunakan  oleh  pendidik  untuk  mengukur  dan  meningkatkan kemahiran berfikir aras tinggi pelajar dalam pembelajaran. Terdapat tiga domain utama yang perlu dicapai iaitu kognitif (kemahiran intelektual), afektif (kemahiran generik) dan psikomotor (kemahiran praktikal teknikal). Malahan, domain ini diklasifikasikan  mengikut  enam  aras  berbentuk  piramid  yang  disusun  dari  aras  rendah  hingga  ke  aras  tinggi.  Ia merangkumi  aras  pengetahuan,  pemahaman,  aplikasi,  analisis,  sintesis  dan  penilaian.  Sejak  ia  diperkenalkan  oleh Benjamin Bloom pada tahun 1956, terdapat pelbagai kajian Barat yang membincangkan tentang kekuatan dan kelemahan Taksonomi Bloom. Namun, bagaimana pula kedudukan Taksonomi  Bloom  menurut perspektif Islam? Oleh  itu, artikel ini  membincangkan  kritikan  Barat  dan  pandangan  Islam  terhadap  taksonomi  Bloom.  Kajian  ini  menggunakan  kaedah kualitatif  di  mana  data  akan  dianalisis  melalui  kaedah  deskriptif.  Hasil  kajian  mendapati  terdapat  kritikan  dan penambaikan  dari  kajian  lepas  yang  menfokuskan  taksonomi  Bloom  kepada  empat  tema:  (1)  susunan  hierarki,  (2) pengelasan struktur, (3) kegunaan dan (4) keperluan kepada taksonomi yang baru sesuai dengan arus pembelajaran abad ke 21. Kajian ini juga dilihat sebagai pemangkin awal bagi meluaskan bidang pengukuran Islam dalam sistem pendidikan di Malaysia.