TOEFL has been used as a requirement for non-native English students to pursue further study overseas, to get an appropriate job and to graduate from university. Students often encounter difficulties completing TOEFL reading test. This quantitative study investigates the undergraduate students' difficulties and their strategies in completing TOEFL reading comprehension test. The data was obtained by collecting students' worksheets of the TOEFL test and distributing questionnaires related to test taking strategies used by the students. Thirty students of English Education Department of Syiah Kuala University were involved as participants. The results indicate five difficult reading aspects encountered by the students. In addition, their strategies to complete the reading comprehension section of the TOEFL test are also found. These findings are further discussed in this paper.

Chemical surface modifications involving 1% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and 1% acrylic acid (AA) treatments are applied to woven banana fabric and it is used as reinforcement in an unsaturated polyester matrix. Vacuum bagging technique was used to prepare the woven banana fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester composites with four different volume percentages of fibers (5, 10, 15, and 20%). The effects of fiber-loading and fiber surface treatments on the flexural, impact and water absorption properties of the composites were investigated. The acrylic acid treatment results in improved mechanical and water absorption properties of the composites compared to the alkali treatment and untreated fiber composites. The treatment effects on the banana fibers have been characterized by means of infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and microscopy analysis (SEM). The moisture absorption test showed that acrylic acid-treated woven banana fabric composites exhibit less water absorption than both alkali-treated and untreated woven banana fabric composites.

The properties of unsaturated polyester reinforced with banana and pandanus woven fabric were studied. Both of the composite systems were fabricated by vacuum bagging technique. Flexural, impact, and water absorption properties were investigated as a function of total fiber volume fraction. It is observed that the flexural and impact properties of both natural fiber composites are higher than pure polyester. Banana woven composites exhibit higher flexural and impact properties due to the difference structure in cross section, and higher cellulose content compared to that of pandanus woven composites. In both woven systems, the flexural modulus and strength increased with increase in fiber volume fraction. However above 10 and 15 vol. fraction of fibers, the flexural and impact properties of these two woven composite systems decreased due to insufficient resin, respectively. Water absorption test showed that woven pandanus fabric composites increased the overall water uptake than woven banana fabric composites, this might be due to higher hemicellulose content and the defects existed in the composite system.

This study aims to identify elementary school teachers' perceptions of digital based learning in the 21 st century. Data of this phenomenological qualitative study were collected through interviews with ten teachers in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, and the validity was tested using source triangulation techniques. The data analysis used descriptive data analysis techniques, including data condensation, data display, and drawing conclusion. The results show that teachers consider digital integration in elementary schools to bring positive changes, both in the process and student learning outcomes. It is proven by student responses in the form of increased motivation, activity, enthusiasm, and critical thinking skills. The findings confirm two things. First, the main factor for the success of digital based learning does not depend on the availability of digital equipments, rather in the competence of the teachers (digital skills, creative thinking, and communication skills). Second, teachers in schools with digital technology infrastructure have better performance in implementing digital based learning than those without the infrastructure. This study has implications for the development trends of the competencies of elementary school teachers. Apparently, digital literacy needs special attention in the development of four teacher competencies. Therefore, teachers can keep up with the era and the tendencies of student characteristics.

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