Abstract:

Since 1998, University of Malaya, being the first institution of higher education in Malaysia, made it compulsory for all undergraduate students to sign up for the Information Skills Course (GXEX1401). It is one-credit hour course with 14 hours lecture at the computer lab with internet access. With blended learning approach the course are conducted in an hour session. The course session are been delivered by the Librarian with combination of web-based technology (online assignments, video, slide, online test), pedagogical approach with group discussion and instructional technology with face-to face instructor-led training. The slide presentation by the facilitators on the information cycle, type of basic references, identifying type of references, search methodology, bibliographical search as in Library Catalogue, bibliographical search in Online database the UM Library subscribed, bibliographical search in internet and web resources, referencing and citation styles as in EndNote software and the Turnitin software for plagiarism. In each of the lecture students are given assignment and group project assignment for them to practice and hand-on on the bibliographical search such as the library catalogue, online database and Internet. The project assignment is divided into 5 parts, as in Part A is about the introduction on the topics, reflection of the searching process and search strategies, while Part B is searching for materials in the library catalogue, Part C is to capture 6 records from online databases, Part D is to capture 3 records from internet and for the Part E is on the citation style. Face-to-face instructor-led approach is more on the group project, where the facilitators guide through all the Part in. All forms of communication are totally electronic via SPECTRUM and any form of paper-based handouts is at point-of –need only. Attempts were made to incorporate all the features available on SPECTRUM into the course modules such as announcements, notes, documents, forum, links, reference, news, assignment and assessments. Students also go through the test or quiz online, for about 20 questions for 20 minutes. Pre-course evaluation and Post-course evaluation will be given at the beginning and at the end of the lecture. Submission of the group project and the examination will the end process of the course. It shows that the blended learning approach is the best option for the students to understand the course content and the independent learning for the lifelong learning approach to the students. As in progress the online tutorial and podcast also will be implementing in future. Skill-based approach as at the beginning of the undergraduate programmed could help students to produced quality research information in their years with University of Malaya.