PENGURANGAN BUTA HURUF DALAM KALANGAN KANAK-KANAK FELDA MENGGUNAKAN MODUL KURIKULUM AMUD

Universiti Malaya Community Engagement Centre

In our rapidly evolving world, where change is the only constant, individuals resistant to embracing a positive attitude towards reading risk lagging behind. Reading serves as the primary avenue for acquiring knowledge and skills, making the cultivation of a reading habit crucial, especially from a young age. A significant challenge in today's educational landscape is the absence of comprehensive modules addressing essential elements like teaching objectives, content, methods, and evaluation for effective reading. This gap prompted a study dedicated to designing an Effective Reading Module, comprising three key phases: need analysis, design, and the evaluation of the prototype module.

The need analysis phase commenced with interviews involving eight stakeholders, including four school leaders and four teachers from both urban and rural schools. The primary objectives were to identify literacy needs at the children's level within communities, establish guidelines for an effective reading module, and pinpoint challenges in current educational practices. The consensus among respondents was that childhood is the optimal stage for the teaching and learning process due to its inherent receptivity to new knowledge and skills. This phase also highlighted the pressing need for a comprehensive module covering teaching objectives, content, methods, and evaluation components. Teachers shared challenges they face, such as managing mixed-ability students in sessions, the necessity to independently develop teaching components, and the perceived lack of appeal in Ministry of Education-supplied teaching materials.

Transitioning to the design phase, fifteen literacy experts with over a decade of experience played a pivotal role. This diverse panel, including Global Teacher category educators, NGO representatives, Ministry of Education officers, Federal Inspectors, and school leaders, engaged in a Delphi Fuzzy study spanning three rounds. The method commenced with expert interviews, progressed to identifying consensus items from interview findings, and culminated in achieving agreement on these items using the Delphi Fuzzy method. Moving forward, the study seamlessly transitioned into the evaluation of the prototype module, adopting an action research methodology at a FELDA national school. Action research, characterized by iterative cycles of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting, aimed to enhance teaching and learning effectiveness.

The assessment phase employed a variety of methodological approaches across multiple rounds, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of teaching and learning dynamics. Qualitative observations provided insights into classroom interactions, teacher-student engagement, and the overall learning atmosphere. Simultaneously, surveys gathered perceptions from both teachers and students, offering a dual perspective on the module's impact. Quantitative assessments, including pre- and post-tests, provided measurable indicators of the module's effect on student learning outcomes.The iterative nature of action research facilitated ongoing reflection and adaptation, ensuring the continuous improvement of the module. Insights gained from observations, interviews, surveys, and assessments informed adjustments, aligning the module with evolving student needs and the educational context.

In conclusion, this comprehensive study, spanning the need analysis, design, and evaluation phases, addresses the challenges hindering effective reading promotion. It not only identifies critical components of an effective reading module but also engages a diverse panel of experts to ensure robust design principles. The subsequent evaluation phase, rooted in action research, demonstrates a commitment to practical application and continuous improvement. This holistic approach holds the potential to inform educational practices and contribute to the ongoing evolution of effective reading modules in a swiftly changing educational landscape.