3/19/2020 Exploring the role of blended learning for teaching and learning effectiveness in institutions of higher learning: An empirical investigation |…

The rapid growth of technology for learning includes the introduction of educational software. However, rare reports were found that provides evidence on the effectiveness of these software. This study investigates the effectiveness of using GeoGebra software on Mathematics learning among 62 students in Malaysia. Results show that students have positive perception towards learning (m =4.26) and have better learning achievement using GeoGebra (p < 0.05). Available free online, GeoGebra can benefit students Mathematics learning and diversifying learning in classrooms. The overflown of resources triggered students' interest to learn Mathematics however, the selection of software has to be properly planned.

Critical thinking in 21st century has been recognized as a skill for citizens. Critical thinking is define as the intellectual thinking skills like analyzing, reasoning, problem solving, creative thinking, making judgement and good decision maker. One way to enhance critical thinking skill is by Problem Based Learning (PBL) approach and it is already widely utilized in educational course as problem solving in learning assessment. Meanwhile, an online tool is the effective approach for teaching and learning in worldwide nowadays. Recently, the previous papers more focus on PBL and the outcome of critical thinking, but not the process, tools to support especially in the new era of learning. There is quite a few paper discuss about using online tools in PBL and critical thinking. The purpose of this review is to look into how the online tools were tackled by previous scholars and the latest trends on online tools in PBL to enhance critical thinking skill. The finding is based on past articles from the other researchers before. Hopefully, this study will contribute to the introduction of a new era of understanding the importance of PBL to enhance critical thinking skill via online tools.

There has been rapid development in Blended Learning (BL) diffusion and prior studies mainly focused on issues related to students and lecturers in improving teaching and learning outcomes, but very few studies focused on institution 's readiness and diffusion issues. Thus, there is need for institutional-based research to guide universities, colleges, and polytechnics to strategically diffuse BL. Accordingly, this study develops a model to investigate the variables and associated factors that influence institutions ' administration readiness to diffuse BL initiatives based on Diffusion of Innovation (DoI) theory and institutional BL adoption framework that comprises of

The current trend of education is towards the implementation of technology in teaching in order to attract the attention of 21st century learners whereby teachers need to adopt technology-enhanced environment such as the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) in their teaching. This study aims to investigate the teachers’ perceptions and tendency to use VLE as a tool for teaching. The teachers’ perceptions were investigated based on the main constructs of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The respondents were 178 teachers in southern state of Malaysia. The data were collected using a questionnaire and it is validated through the use of Rasch model. The finding was found that the teachers were moderately ready to use VLE and they moderately accepted the implementation of the VLE (mean=3.67 and 3.65). Besides that, the teachers felt that the VLE was useful (mean=3.58) and was easy to use (mean=3.34). It was also found that 84.2% of the teachers’ acceptance was influenced by the teachers’ readiness, and the teachers’ perceptions of the usefulness and ease of using the VLE in teaching. Therefore, it can be concluded that Malaysian teachers has intention to use VLE in their teaching. The use of VLE can improve the innovative way of teaching that can increase students’ interest in constructing knowledge through their learning process.