Action Research SRC KPMAM

MARA PROFESSIONAL COLLEGE
AYER MOLEK, MELAKA

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL 2019/2020
__________________________________________________________________________________

RESEARCH TITLE:

‘ELECTRONIC LEADERSHIP: REDUCING THE PROBLEMS OF ONLINE LEARNING
AMONG STUDENTS OF MARA PROFESSIONAL COLLEGE (KPM) AYER MOLEK
DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC’

GROUP MEMBERS’ NAMES:

NUM NAME ID NUMBER
1 NAZIRUL MUBIN BIN MOHD IDRIS MDB19-06-016
2 MOHAMAD AFIQ AZRI BIN MOHAMED MDA19-01-027
3 ROSE RAIHANA BINTI MOHD RASHDAN MDA19-06-094
4 NUR ALIAH SYAFIQAH BINTI AHMAD TARMIZI MDA19-06-031
5 NURIN HAFIZAH BINTI MAKHTAR MDB19-06-188
6 SYAHINDAH AKHTAR BINTI AZMAN MDA19-06-052

1.0 Introduction
Coronavirus is a common virus that causes an infection in the nose, sinuses or the upper throat.

Most coronaviruses are not dangerous however, a newly discovered coronavirus identified as severe
acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or better known among us as COVID-19 is
an infectious disease that affects both the upper or lower respiratory tract and can also lead to
pneumonia, heart failure, liver problems, septic, shock and death. On December 31, 2020, the World
Health Organization (WHO) reported an outbreak of respiratory illness cases in Wuhan City, Hubei
Province, China but on March 11, 2020, the WHO finally declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.

Researches had also detected the symptoms of COVID-19 which widely ranges from the most
common sickness to the most severe ones to not having symptoms at all, which includes fever, cough,
shortness of breath, pneumonia etcetera.

In this interconnected globalisation, the pandemic has not only affected the lives of individuals
but also had a massive impact on various sectors; the education sector being one of the most affected,
notably and visually. Schools and universities had closed down, disrupting the academic calendar and
causing stress to both parents and their children as they are adjusting to the ‘new normal’ in which
online classes are measures for students to cope with this exceptional situation.

Understanding the challenges that students have to face, it is difficult adjusting to the concept
of online learning; affecting students both mentally and physically. This paper highlights the uses of
electronic devices such as laptops, smartphone and tablets to deliver relevant information to the students
through social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, also, reduce the problems
faced by students of MARA Professional College (KPM) Ayer Molek. The purpose of this paper is to
serve insight on how the Student Representative Council (MPP) act as leaders in helping students cope
with the ‘new normal’ of education.

1.1 Research Questions
This action research is led by two research questions. The research questions arise for the

purpose of this action research are listed as follows:

i. What is the major impact of online learning experienced by KPMAM students; and
ii. How effective the use of electronic devices by Students Representative Council of Mara

Professional College Ayer Molek (KPMAM) to reduce the problems of KPMAM students in
experiencing online learning during Covid-19 Pandemic.

1.2 Research Objectives
The general objective of this action research is to study the best practices in students’ leadership

on the issues relating to online learning among KPMAM students. The specific objectives of this action
research are listed as follows:

i. To examine the major impact of online learning during Covid-19 Pandemic experienced by
KPMAM students.

ii. To determine the effectiveness the use of electronic devices by Students Representative Council
of Mara Professional College Ayer Molek (KPMAM) to reduce the problems of KPMAM
students in experiencing online learning during Covid-19 Pandemic.

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2.0 Literature Review
Upon the happening of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been numerous researches

regarding the impacts of the pandemic towards various industries and aspects affecting the lives of
individuals. This chapter starts with online learning versus physical learning, leadership and lastly the
use of electronic devices.

2.1 Online Learning versus Physical Learning
Online learning refers to an electronic learning environment which there are no physical peer

learners, and there is freedom of time and space. However, E-Learning makes learning flexible and
provides an alternative for those who cannot attend physical classrooms for any reason. With the growth
of technology and the internet, E-Learning has secured a good position in an academic world especially
during tough times. At these times, E-Learning is included in the category of distance education. The
COVID-19 pandemic has pushed every educational institution towards online learning, although
nobody was ready for this transition. Many studies recognized the shift towards online learning as
forceful, but vital for continuing the learning process (Bao, 2020; Halim, Hashim, & Yunus, 2020;
Hodges, Moore, Lockee, Trust, & Bond, 2020; Zhu, Chen, Avadhanam, Shui, & Zhang, 2020).

Researches, educationists, and other professionals are very eager to know whether E-Learning
is able to provide better results and academic achievements when compares with traditional learning.
Bernard, Borokhovski, Schmid, Tamim, Abrami (2014) stated that online learning is much better than
traditional learning for students, and this can be seen through the increasing rates of course completion,
student’s satisfaction, and their motivation levels in order to acquire more knowledge from online
learning. In contrast, studied by Adams, Randall, and Traustadottir (2015) stated that online learners
were less successful when compared with face-to-face learners which was inferred through student’s
motivation, satisfaction and attendance. However, recent studies by Bahasoan, Ayuandiani, Mukhram
and Rahmat (2020) determine the effectiveness of Online Learning in Pandemic Covid-19. They found
that online learning system conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic is effective and inefficient.
Effectively implemented of online learning due to the conditions that require online study and
inefficient part is because the costs incurred more as compared to physical/traditional learning system.
The cost incurred mainly due to students need to buy internet quota to keep up with online lectures.
Constraints encountered during online lectures are network problems. Therefore, it can be concluded
that online learning conducted during pandemic Covid-19 can give various impact among the students.

2.2 Leadership in Education
Besides online learning matters, researchers also tackle the issues on leadership in

various field including education during Covid-19 pandemic. Environment of strong uncertainty
requires leaders of every level in education to be more creative to facilitate the best student support for
academic and wellbeing purposes such as online learning, mental health and stress management. The
use of social media through students’ social network that includes students’ leaders is important for
effective support practices (Raaper and Brown 2020). However, the key methods of social media to be
used is not highlighted. Additionally, at one hand, it is agreed that a successful leadership is a result of
the combination of elements such as staying calm, communication, collaboration, coordination and
providing support and this coordination must happen at every level from leaders to every person with
lines of communication between each (Nicola et al., 2020). On the other hand, the role of students’
representative council as leaders among students has never been analysed.

Furthermore, Harris and Jones (2020) have written eloquently that a new leadership order has
emerged which has no leadership standards, no benchmarks and no precedents to be modelled of during
this outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. At a glance, most scholars do agree on the important of best
practices in leadership during Covid-19 pandemic, but none of researches is made on leadership skill
that must be acquired by leaders among students. Therefore, in higher education institutes such as
MARA Professional College, the students’ representative council has taken steps of using electronic
devices as an alternative in enhancing leadership skill during this tough time.

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2.3 The Use of Electronic Devices
Electronic devices are components for controlling the flow of electrical currents for the purpose

of processing information and system control. Usually, electronic devices are small and grouped
together into packages called integrated circuits. It also refers to the strategic use of digital assets to
achieve goals. However, the use of electronic devices in leadership can be correlated in the means of
communication.

Dexter (2011) studied the effective leadership used by Principals, Technology Coordinators
and other team members in implementing technology integration with laptop programs in middle
schools. They found that introducing a dynamic technology-based improvement reform was encouraged
by the development of distributive leadership practices. Better results have been obtained by a team of
people addressing the technological, organizational and instructional components needed.
Communication prepared, planned and used to accomplish leadership objectives. The benefit of
electronic leadership equipment increases participation, improves information retention, promotes
individual learning and can develop useful skills using technology.

The influence of technology on leadership is significant and has many benefits. However, one
thing that remains a challenge for the entire student's leaders is to use the best technologies at the right
time and in the right way. The goal should be to apply technology to the right tasks and to reduce the
need for technological progress.

3.0 Methodology

This chapter explains about research methodology and design used for this action research. This
chapter starts with the research methodology, explanation of the sample selection, survey instruments
and data collection method. Last section explains the analysis technique used in this study.

3.1 Research Methodology
The design for this research study is quantitative method. Bernard (2012) stated that

quantitative analysis allows for the classifying and counting the features, construct a model to explain
what is observed and the findings can be generalized to a larger population. Moreover, they further
stated that quantitative study allows researchers to analyse the result easier with high level of accuracy
and also allows to present analysis graphically since quantitative data is in numerical form. The design
of the study is descriptive research design. According to Sekaran and Bougie (2016), descriptive studies
are often designed to collect data that describe characteristics of the objects such as the organizations
as well as events or situations.

3.2 Population and Sample Selection
This study chooses only 1 out of 10 MARA Educational Institutes (IPMa) which consists of 6

MARA Professional College (KPM) and 4 MARA College. Thus, the study had chosen MARA
Professional College Ayer Molek (KPMAM) which consists of students from three programmes that
include Diploma in Accountancy (DIA), Diploma in Business Studies (DBS) and Certified Accounting
Technician (CAT). From that population, the selection of sample frame is affected students during
pandemic Covid-19 which are 342 of total students in KPMAM.

3.3 Survey Instrument
The 14-items survey was divided into four sections of questions. (See appendix A.) First section

was about demographic profile of respondents; ID number, semester and programme. Second and third
section include questions related to physical learning before pandemic Covid-19 and online learning
during pandemic Covid-19. All questions would require the respondents to answer regarding physical
learning, experience pressure faced by students and effectiveness the use of electronic devices by
Students Representative Council KPMAM to reduce the problems of KPMAM students. Some
questions were modified to reflect the research objectives. The last section is only one question
regarding to the students’ opinion related to learning and teaching method.

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3.4 Data Collection Method
The data collection was conducted over three days from 13 December until 16 December 2020.

The questionnaire was created using Google Form and the link was given through WhatsApp and
Telegram to ease the respondents in completing the questionnaire. According to Mitchell and Jolley
(2007), employing questionnaire survey is an easy way to collect a lot of information. Online
questionnaire survey is used because it can reach the targeted respondents with little to no cost needed
to be considered.
3.5 Data Analysis

Data analysis is a process where data are statistically analysed and generated from several
relevant statistical tests. This action research conducts descriptive analysis in order to support objectives
of the study.
4.0 Introduction to Data Analysis

Data was analysed according to the two guiding research questions: 1) What is the major impact
of online learning experienced by KPMAM’s students and 2) How effective the use of electronic
devices by Students Representative Council of KPMAM to reduce the problems of KPMAM students
in experiencing online learning during pandemic Covid-19. The findings are organized according to the
research questions. Each of the questions is discussed in the following section.
4.1 How Students Feel About Physical Learning versus Online Learning.

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The results from the above graph bar shows that not all students favour online classes during
the pandemic. 252 students (weighted as 73.7%) feels that they are good in physical learning. Although
they must adapt to the new norm during this pandemic, they still not comfort with online classes. This
is based on the result that most of the students choose option number 2 which is indicates they are half
satisfied with the situation. 100 students (weighted as 29.2%) still preferring physical classes during
this pandemic situation.
4.2 Have Students Been Experiencing Pressure and What Kind of Problems Do They Face

During Physical Learning versus Online Learning.

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The result from the number of students experience pressure during both physical and online
classes indicated that many students feel more pressure during online class compare to physical classes.
A majority (51.5%) of students surveyed that they feel pressure with online classes. Data from type of
problem that they are experiencing during the online classes was analysed to determine the student’s
problems. Based on chart above, majority of them (71.1%) feels that’s they having mentally tired.
Second problem that they are having is lack of communication whether with their friend or lecturers.
Only 34 students (9.9%) did not have any problems with online classes. For the physical classes, many
of students (62%) feels physically tired and have time management problems (40.4%).

4.3 Are There Any Programmes Offered by The Student Representative Council (SRC /
MPP) to The Students That Contributes to Your Learning Progress?
Results also indicates that many programmes are offered by the Students Representative

Council (SRC) that contributes to the students learning process during the physical classes. 69.3%
students stated that the SRC offer various programme during the physical classes and 64.4% students
state that the SRC did not have many programmes during the online class.

4.4 Do Students Prefer Physical Learning or Online Learning?
As for conclusion, 257 students (weighted as 75.1%) agreed that they prefer physical classes

compare to 85 students who prefer online classes (weighted as 24.9%). This mean that they still not
adapting to online class and believed that online class give more pressured compared to physical classes.

5.0 Conclusion
This research has provided a more complete understanding of the problems that the students

were facing during physical learning and during online learning. Current findings show that the
information that the students received from the MPPs or from their lecturers during the online learning
are quite difficult to understand and sometimes they did not receive it at all. However, it is impossible
to provide every student of KPMAM the information during online learning. MPP had done their best
to make sure every student gets the notice or any relevant information during this pandemic. All the
information has been shared in the social media such as in the Instagram, Telegram and WhatsApp to
make sure none of the students was left behind. Thus, the top three problems that the students were
facing during online learning which was mentally tired, lack of communications, and stress can affect
their academic results. The conclusion to be drawn can simply be that most of the students preferred on
having physical learning because the problems that they were facing during physical learning was not
difficult as online learning. The result of this study depicts that the MPP act as leaders through the use
of electronic devices to helps the students received the information and reduce the problems of online
learning among the students of KPMAM during the pandemic. Additionally, future challenges must be
consistently predicted for MPP to stay prepared and functioned positively. As a good leader with all
relevant skills, MPP and all must always “learn to connect and connect to learn”.

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Appendix A
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