ED705:

MASTER OF EDUCATION IN MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

EDM 704 course:

POLICY AND EDUCATIONAL PLANNING:

A COMPARISON BETWEEN EAST AND WEST REGIONS

ARTICLE REVIEW

Group members:

1. Norizan binti Awang 2018699344

2. Haryani binti Md Nordin 2018824006
3. Nor Asmah Binti Hashim 2019949769
4. Nabila Hanis Abdul Samat 2018617236
5. Khalilahanum binti Zainal Abidin 2018867638

Monitored by:

Dr Leele Susana Jamian

Faculty of Education,
University of Technology MARA
 SUMMARY

This part is a summary compilation of three articles namely “Learning Culture in a

Smart School: A Case Study”, “Proper and Efficient Teaching by Implementing Smart
Schools”, and “An Examination of the Concept of Smart School: An Innovation to Address
Sustainability”.-

First Journal

“Learning Culture in a Smart School: A case study” was written by Alias, Attaran and

Siraj (2012). It aimed at studying the ICT integration in everyday life of an Iranian smart

school. The ICT integration refers to the use of technology in strategic planning, methods of

learning, communication, leadership and management, and so on. Since it is a qualitative

study, it involved interviews with the Principal, teachers and students of the Absal High

School, a smart school in Iran. Observation also took part in the study, as one of the methods

of collecting data. The study then found out that despite being a smart school, Absal High

school did not integrate ICT in its strategic planning, methods of learning, communication,

leadership and management, and so on. However, there were still elements of ICT practiced

by the school, such as

Second Journal

The second journal reviewed entitled ‘Proper and Efficient Teaching by Implementing

Smart Schools” was conducted by Keramatollah Nouri Hassanabadi and Seyyed Javad

Iranban (2013). The study aimed at providing a teaching and learning environment ideas

which promotes student-oriented processes. It also highlights the objective to improve the

educational conditions of smart school. Based on the paper, the main research question was

highlighted, which is: “Does implementing smart schools lead to an improved quality and

change in teaching methods?”. This study applied both quantitative and library method.

Questionnaires were distributed and collected from 20 schools in Darab, Iran. This study

found out that applying ICT in teaching can solve many problems in a short time. Skilled or
tech-savvy individuals are Tech-savvy individuals are able to solve many problems and

generate more ideas in providing solutions. It is also suggested that there are significant

relationships between the implementation of smart school and teachers’ instruction, as well as

students’ learning orientation.

Third Journal

The third journal entitled “An Examination of the Concept of Smart School: An

Innovation to Address Sustainability” which was written by Omidinia, Masrom and Selamat

(2013), basically aims at examining the applicable aspects of a smart school. The elements

highlighted were related to teacher’s training, Information Technology (IT) infrastructure,

and the design of the curriculum. The examination is found useful to ensure the

implementation is meeting the objectives, as proposed. Based on the writing, two main

questions can be drawn out, which are: “how are the aspects of the concept of smart school

are being carried out at the moment?”, and “how is the concept of smart school related to the

sustainable development?”. This study applied both primary and secondary research designs

where the authors did some compilation of existing studies, as well as a number of case

studies to several smart schools in Malaysia. The paper eventually came up with the findings

that the aspects of ICT do benefit the related educational institutions. It is also highlighted

that consistent observation, monitoring and evaluations are required to ensure progress,

instead of failure. As proposed in the title, this study also suggests that the smart school

concept is related to the sustainable development in a way that the concept complements the

requirement of producing a society which is balanced, harmonious, symbiotically

interdependent, and so on.

 REVIEWS AND CRITICS

In this part, the three articles discussed previously will be reviewed and criticized

from three approaches; write-up style or information presentation in journal, content of the

article and recommendation from our point of view.

Journal 1 Journal 2 Journal 3

 Very  Comprehensive  Less
comprehensive  Information comprehensive
and compact listed  No specific
 Information constructively; in element of
Presentation of listed in details point forms, and methodology and
information  Definitions brief research
provided  Less definitions questions and
 Model of the provided. objectives can be
concept is also spotted.
provided
 Very clear for  Clear  Time-consuming
both voracious to grasp the ideas
Clarity
and novice
reader
Table 1: Review on write-up style.

Referring to Table 1, the first journal “Learning Culture in a Smart School: A case

study” is seen as very comprehensive and compact. The fact that every single term used was

given definitions in details has helped readers a lot to be on the right track throughout the

reading, especially to those unfamiliar with the Introduction part. As the sampling was one of

the smart schools in Iran, the study began by comparing the smart school concept in

Malaysia. This part somehow helps readers in understanding the base concept of the smart

school, in different countries.

Apart from that, information is listed in details. For instance, the theoretical

framework of the study is written in a point form, which is seen to be in a way that is friendly

for readers. Readers are well-guided throughout the reading. All elements of a research are

also well presented, and not too wordy. In addition to that, model of the concept is also
included, and this is indeed very helpful in providing the clear picture of the integration of IT

in all school aspects. In short, the article is very clear for both voracious and novice readers.

On the other hand, referring to Table 1, the second article “Proper and Efficient

Teaching by Implementing Smart Schools” was seen to be well written. It basically portrays

what a good journal is. Although less literature provided, information is listed constructively;

in point forms, and brief. This helps readers to stay focused on the facts. For instance,

research hypotheses and objectives are written in number form. The approach used is direct

whereby readers are guided to understand in a shorter time.

The third article; “An Examination of the Concept of Smart School: An Innovation to

Address Sustainability” is seen as a less comprehensive journal, as compared to the other two

journals. No specific element of methodology and research questions and objectives can be

spotted in study. Terms are also used without prior definitions, which tend to cause readers to

be left confused and clueless, such as the use of “e-learning”. However, this paper is brilliant

in presenting the frameworks via table and chart. This indeed helps confused readers to at

least be guided back in understanding the real concept.

In short, the first article has basically what a good journal should have, in such a

detailed way of writing. The second journal also has everything a good journal should

possess, in a shorter yet compact manner of writing, while the third journal is way wordier

than the rest, which does not create good impression or in such a fancy word, never seen as

attractive to new readers to be called into reading it till the end. However, all three journals

never fail to help readers in understanding the main objectives of each.

 Journal 1 Journal 2 Journal 3
Theme Smart Schools
 Variables are  Variables are  Informative,
clear clear based on the
 Straightforward  Straightforward relevant
Contents provided
results results, however literatures in the
not familiar to field reviewed
novice readers. by the author
Table 2: Review on content

Second aspect of this part is reviewing and criticizing the contents. In general, all

these 2 articles revolve around the same theme, which is smart school. However, each one of

them is focusing on different aspect in a smart school. For instance, the first journal

“Learning Culture in a Smart School: A Case Study” is indeed highlighting the learning

aspect, while the second article named “Proper and Efficient Teaching by Implementing

Smart Schools”, stressing on the teaching aspect. Lastly, the third journal entitled “An

Examination of the Concept of Smart School: An Innovation to Address Sustainability”,

basically evaluate the whole elements under the smart school concept and relate them to the

sustainability development of the society.

Referring to Table 2, the first journal is very direct in presenting the content. The

abstract was well written, in a brief yet comprehensive manner. Readers would simply get the

idea that the study aims at looking at the integration of ICT in all aspects at one of the smart

schools in Iran. Literature was also excellently written where the authors compiled and

reviewed the previous studies on the same area, particularly referring to the ICT integration.

Theoretical framework was included, which depicts how ICT should be integrated in smart

schools. At the end of the study, they concluded that the sample school does not fully

integrate ICT in their everyday life. In regard to this, this study is seen to be very helpful and

useful as a guide to all, in terms of evaluating the implementation of the smart school

concept. Referring to the Malaysian smart school, researchers are guided to conduct research

which aim at evaluating all aspects of the smart school. The methodology used was also
excellent as it did not rely on perceptions alone (via questionnaires), but it also involved

interviews and observation as a part of data collection. This could be a good example in

conducting similar studies in the future.

Results are also presented very clearly, with the related reasons behind every

response. For example, result shows that the teachers do employ ICT as a learning tool.

However, students’ ICT qualifications have never been evaluated. Thus, teachers are unable

of reviewing the lesson plans according to student’s capability. Pertaining to this, it would be

excellent if the result is then followed by solution. For instance, regarding the student’s ICT

qualifications just now, it would be best to suggest that student’s capability of handling ICT

tools should be evaluated prior to classes, so that teachers could come up with lesson plans

which match student’s ability. This indeed will help in meeting the lesson’s objectives more

effectively.

Moving to the second journal entitled “Proper and Efficient Teaching by

Implementing Smart Schools”, Table 2 shows that this journal is clear at presenting each

element of the study. The introduction was interestingly explained, as it highlights the

significant concerns behind the establishment of smart school. This indeed helps readers in

understanding the background of the policy formulation. This paper is specifically focusing at

teaching aspect of a smart school. It aims at suggesting new teaching methods which

incorporating ICT. These methods were believed to be capable of improving the quality of

the education as a whole. Results are also presented straightforwardly, using a number of

tests. However, this type of presentation is indeed unfamiliar to novice readers, but still

readers will not be left clueless as discussions are provided as part of the data explanations.

This study is also excellent at suggesting probable issues or threats which can be related to

the integration of ICT in teaching and learning. For instance, it suggested that students have

access in visiting immoral sites. Therefore, precautions may be taken into account by the
responsible parties. On the other hand, it is also best to suggest that the principals must

perform and have to be sophisticated users of management information systems. They also

must become proficient users of a variety of software including word processing, spread

sheets, databases and email. They do not have to be network experts, but they have had to

ensure that their school is developing appropriate networks. The nature of work in both

teaching and learning and administration has changed, and whilst old practices can be done

more efficiently, the technologies have allowed new practices to develop.

The third journal on the other hand, is seen to be very informative in its own focus.

The study, which aims at looking at the concept of smart school, is very inclusive in terms of

detailing the elements which they are highlighting. The aspects involved in this paper is the

matters pertaining to teacher’s training, information technology (IT) infrastructure, and the

curriculum design. It somehow works as a means to evaluate the mentioned aspects, whether

the implementation is able to meet the objective of preparing individuals to survive the Age

of Information.

Besides, the conceptual frameworks of all aspects are also provided in details, which

apparently help readers in understanding every inch of the aspect. For instance, in terms of

teaching using electronic learning (E-learning), the conceptual framework of the challenges is

provided, and even divided into its own categories. The study then followed by detailing the

requirements of a smart school. Just like the previous one, framework was proposed in

visualizing the criteria of a smart school, particularly in the teaching and learning processes.

Next, in terms of the implementation, the study first listed down the objectives, followed by

four elements which need to be highlighted in putting the smart school on the right track.

This includes the examination of the structure, student, teacher and also management. This

explanation is indeed very informative and useful in providing the idea that without these

four elements, the smart school concept would be far from success. However, it would be
best to present the details in table form, as visuals help in grasping information. Overall, this

study indeed is very good at emphasizing the importance of evaluating educational policy so

that the program will eventually meet the objectives, and the probability of a failure could be

decreased.

CONCLUSION

To conclude, all these three articles, though written in different styles and contents
were also differently presented, each of them does help readers in broaden their views on the
concept of the Smart School.
 REFERENCES

Journal 1:

Attaran, M. Alias, N. & Siraj, S (2012). Learning Culture in a Smart School: A case
study. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 64 (2012) 417 – 423.

Journal 2:

Hassanabadi K. N., Iranban S. J. (2013). Proper and efficient teaching by

implementing smart schools. European Online Journal of Natural and Social Sciences 2013;
vol.2, No.3(s), pp. 1684-1688.

Journal 3:

Omidiana, S., Masrom, M., Selamat, H. (2013). An Examination of the Concept of

Smart School: an Innovation to Address Sustainability. 2nd International Conference on
Advances in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE 2013), pp. 326 – 329.