ASSIGNMENT – HMEF5033

MAY SEMESTER 2011

HMEF5033 - COMPARATIVE EDUCATION
ASSIGNMENT (50%)

PART A:
Weighting: 20%

The Task:

This assignment in Part A will give you the opportunity to read and critically review the issue at
hand and reflect on the initiatives to provide support for Students with Economic Disadvantages
(SEDs).

The Assignment:
Read the assigned article and answer the TWO (2) questions that follow:
Article: Hochbein, C. & Duke, D. (2011). Crossing the Line: Examination of Student
Demographic Changes Concomitant with Declining Academic Performance in Elementary
Schools. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 22:1, 87-118.

Question 1

Using your own words, highlight the three main issues discussed in the paper. Then provide a
brief description for each issue.

(10 marks)
Question 2

The findings in this study indicated that schools with a higher number of students with economic
disadvantages (SEDs) obtained lower English/Language Arts (ELA) pass rates and vice versa.
This phenomenon can also be observed in Malaysia. Currently, there are various forms of
financial support provided by the Ministry of Education in ensuring that SEDs do not fall back or
fall out of the education system.

a) List THREE (3) initiatives which you feel have benefitted the SEDs.

b) Support your claims with relevant facts and findings.

(10 marks)
Please discuss these ideas on myVLE.

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 ASSIGNMENT – HMEF5033

PART B - Weighting: 30%

Objective of Assignment
This assignment will give you the opportunity to compare and contrast a number of significant
educational issues and concerns at both the national and international levels. You will be
required to gather information from various sources and write an extended-response report of
about 20 – 30 pages.

The Task: Writing a Comparative Study Report

Read the questions given and select ONE topic of your choice and interest.
Then compare and contrast it based on the given context.

1. A comparative analysis of blended learning in public and private institutions of higher

learning in Malaysia.(Choose any ONE institution of higher learning for each category)

2. A comparative study of academic restructuring of higher education in South East Asia

(Choose any TWO countries located in SEA)

3. Issues and challenges in achieving literacy in rural communities in Asia. (Choose any
TWO Asian countries).

4. A comparative study of support provided by developing and developed countries to

students with economic disadvantages (SEDs). (Choose ONE country for each
category)

5. A critical look at Community Colleges in the East and West nations. (Choose any ONE
country from each category)

6. A comparative study of Adult Education Programmes in East and West nations. (Choose
any ONE country from each category)

7. In-service Teacher Training: Issues and Concerns in Developing Countries (Choose any
TWO developing countries)

8. A comparative analysis of achieving Gender Equity through education in Country A and

Country B.

9. A comparative analysis of Pre School Educational Policies in Country A and Country B.

10. A comparative and critical study of School Based Assessment implemented in Country A
and Country B.

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 ASSIGNMENT – HMEF5033

GUIDELINES TO ASSIGNMENT (PART B)

STEP 1

 First, read all the given questions and select a topic of your choice and interest
 Once you have decided on your research focus, select two countries from one region.
Example:
o South East Asia (e.g. Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Singapore etc.)
o Asia (e.g. Maldives, India, Indonesia, Philippines etc.)
o East (China, Japan, Singapore, etc.)
o West (Poland, UK, France etc.)
o Developing countries (e.g. Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand etc.)
o Developed countries (e.g. USA, Australia, Finland, etc.)
 Keep in mind that the countries you select must have certain common characteristics so
that they are worthy of comparison.
 Next understand the demands of the task, highlighting what is expected. Example:
o blended learning in institutions of higher learning in Malaysia
o Issues and challenges in achieving literacy in rural communities in Asia
 List aspects related to the topic concerned. See Example below

What Is Blended
Learning?
Student-Student Advantages of
Interactions Blended Learning

BLENDED
LEARNING
Student-Teacher Face-to-Face
Interactions Classes

Computer Mediated
Activities

STEP 2

 Research on the topic concerned by reading journal articles and other scholarly
publications such as books, magazines, circulars, documents and Country Reports. Do
not use wikipedia as a source.
 Surf the internet to obtain information from both national (Ministry of Education, Ministry
of Higher Education tec.) and international organizations (e.g. UNESCO, OECD, the
World Bank and WEI - World Education Indicators)

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 ASSIGNMENT – HMEF5033

STEP 3

 Read and synthesize information read

 List down the similarities and differences between the chosen countries
 Next, organise your answer based on the educational issue in the question.
See example below:

Begin with an introduction on the issue concerned

Give a brief introduction of Country A

Provide a brief Introduction to Country B

Conduct a Contrastive Analysis

List the similarities between Country A and Country B
List the differences between Country A and Country B

Conclude with a critical overview of the issue

 Discuss the progress of your work on myLMS sharing and comparing both interesting
information and challenges you encounter during your academic journey.

STEP 4

 Write your first draft keeping in mind the task at hand and the writing conventions of a
research report.
 Remember your answer should demonstrate not only the depth of your understanding
and knowledge of the issue at hand but also the educational scenario and setting of the
country/ countries selected in your discussion.
 Get someone to proof read the draft and make the necessary corrections.
 When proof reading pay attention to the following aspects:
o Content – Your response to the question should cover all the aspects within the
scope of the study.
o Language – Check your work for language accuracy (grammar)
o Spelling – Keep to the British English Language Spelling (RP)
o Punctuation – symbols and marks such as comma, period, open and close
inverted commas that indicate structure and organization of written language

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 ASSIGNMENT – HMEF5033

STEP 5

 Your assignment must be submitted in the form of a printed report.

 Your final report should be between 20 – 30 pages (excluding references and
appendices)
 Your final report should be written using the APA style and format. Surf the Internet for
the latest information of the APA Style and format.
 Give your report a suitable title. Remember a good title is specific and it tells what, when
and where the study was conducted. A title can have a sub title – giving a clear view of
the issue being investigated. Examples:
o Comparative Perspectives on Citizenship Education in the USA and the UK
o Wang, J. & Lin, E. (2005). Comparative Studies on U.S. and Chinese
Mathematics Learning and the Implications for Standards-Based Mathematics
Teaching Reform. Educational Researcher. Vol.34, No.5, 3-13.

 Given below is an example of the format of your final report

o PRELIMINARIES
 Cover Page
 Title Page
 Acknowledgments (if any)
 Table of Contents
 List of Tables (if any)
 List of Figures (if any)
 Abstract (one paragraph)

o INTRODUCTION (1-3 pages)

 Introduction to issue been discussed (e.g. Academic Restructuring)
 Review of Related Literature
 Focus / Aim of Report
 Rationale for chosen countries (e.g. Singapore and Malaysia – both in
South East Asia)
 Scope of Report
 Definition of Terms

o COUNTRY A (3-5 pages)

 Introduction to Country A
 Brief historical, geographical & cultural description
 Current information on issue been discussed (e.g. academic restructuring
in institutions of higher learning in Country A - provide facts, figures,
views, relevant literature and recent findings )

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 ASSIGNMENT – HMEF5033

o COUNTRY B (3-5 Pages)

 Introduction to Country B
 Brief historical, geographical, cultural description
 Current information on issue been discussed (e.g. academic restructuring
in institutions of higher learning in Country B- provide facts, figures,
views, relevant literature and recent findings )

o CONTRASTIVE ANLAYSIS (6-10 pages)

 List the similarities between Country A and Country B
 List the differences between Country A and Country B
 Provide relevant facts & figures using tables and charts
 Conclude with a summary of impact / major findings

o CONCLUSION (2-3 pages)

 Restate the issue investigated
 Provide a summary of the main findings
 Recommendations for further investigation
 Conclusion

o REFERENCES
 Provide a list of all references cited in report
 Use American Psychological Association (APA) Format and Style to cite
references
 Where possible use latest references (year 2005 and onwards)

o APPENDICES
 Include circulars, tables, charts, figures etc. that are relevant sources for
information to the report but not centrally important
 Label Appendices for easy reference (e.g. Appendix 1, Appendix 2 etc)

NOTE:
 The assignment report (Part B) should be between 20 – 30 pages in length.
 It should be typed on A4 paper using 12-point Times New Roman font with 1.5 spacing
 Assignments (Part A and Part B) MUST be submitted by 10 July 2011.
 Submit a softcopy of your assignment on-line through myVLE and a hardcopy to your
facilitator.
 Plagiarized assignments will be rejected. Surf the various websites available on the
Internet to learn more about Plagiarism