Learning With Technology: A Student Guide Second Edition (PDF version)

Abstract

The rapid evolution of technology has presented both teachers and students with a unique set of advantages as well as challenges. The inability of individuals to adapt to technological developments when confronted with a bewildering array of terminology and platforms can have serious legal and social implications. The student learning guide has been developed with the aim of addressing technological developments in an area of learning which has now been designated at Technology Enabled Learning (TEL). The objective of this guide is to enable the usage of technology in order to enhance the teaching and learning process within the context of the current laws and guidelines pertaining to the usage of multi-media in Malaysia. The guide commences with an introduction to the Universiti Malaysia Sabah Learning Management System (UMS LMS), which is based on the Moodle Open source platform. The UMS LMS has been designated as Smartv3UMS. Students have been provided with the basic instructions, such as registration at the site, as well as more advanced instructions pertaining to the assessment tools such as quiz and assignment. The Department of Information Technology and Communication (JTMK) is responsible for the management of Internet resources at UMS. They offer a range of services for both staff and students registered at UMS, which include the Google Suite, Microsoft Office 365, statistical software package SPSS and the inter-university Wi-Fi service Eduroam. The procedures for the usage of these and other services are covered in this guide. The UMS Library offers multiple services which can be accessed by staff, students and registered UMS users. These include online databases which provide access to international, peer reviewed journals, UMS theses, and software for checking plagiarism in user-generated content. Inappropriate etiquette when using social media platforms and multimedia can have serious legal implications as well as social repercussions. UMS complies with the provisions of the COMMUNICATIONS AND MULTIMEDIA ACT 1998 (Act 588), and both staff and students are obliged to comply with the technical and legal requirements when utilising communication platforms at UMS. The fundamental guidelines are outlined in the section on Social Media. The Centre for E-learning (PEP) is responsible for the management of the pedagogical aspects of Technology Enabled Learning as well as the development of Multi-media and Open License Content under the UMS Open Educational Resources (OER) repository. PEP is also actively engaged with both lecturers and students as part of its initiative to foster TEL among the UMS community and bring them up to par with their global peers.