2.0+Literature+Review

2.0 Literature Review In previous chapter, we have discussed briefly about the importance of Programme Educational Outcomes (PEO) and Programme Objectives (PO). To give a clearer picture of our study, we will then discuss bout the importance of PEO and PO in details, importance of examinations to test the effectiveness of PEO and PO and the authentic learning.

Programme Educational Outcomes (PEO) and Programme Objectives (PO) are the guidelines designed by Faculty of Chemical and Natural Resources Engineering in order to fulfill the attributes a student need to achieve upon graduation. It acts as a vision- a guiding principle and mission which directly align with vision statement in determining how the vision is to be fulfilled. The vision becomes the guilding light for the member of one organization to understand what the organization all about, and to what ultimate principle they shall hold unto and working toward. ( Bizmanual, A Sincere Statement of Vision, 8th October 2007).
 * Importance of PEO and PO **

A vision or mission unifies efforts and build alignment and loyalty among employees. Vision is a desired future and helps to guide people and thus develop a shared image of future. Therefore, we can see that PEO and PO play an important role in shaping our graduates’ future. It also motivates and inspires our students to have a higher goal to achieve in the future.


 * Importance of examinations in order to test the effectiveness of PEO and PO. **
 * A study was conducted by Ken Petress (2004), in his paper “What purpose is served by an examination?” in survey form .**The sample of his study was solely based on students in colleges. In his findings, he stated that students attended classes for learning, but from all the assignments, presentations, and experiments being conducted by them, it is already enough for us to test their abilities in all way. Thus, he brought out another question that is what is the main aim in examination?

According to his findings, the main target that will be achieved in the end of examination can be categorized into eight areas, which are recall, recognition, comparison/contrast, synthesis, integration, differentiation, application, and evaluation.

The first aim is recall that is the need to memorize the facts or theory learnt by students. This will help students to understand better in application of knowledge without turning over the book. Next will be the recognition. It means that students should be able recognize the theory being taught when applying them. Then, students should be able to compare and contrast between the theories proposed by various scientists. That means they should be able to locate the differences that exist in different study materials. Meanwhile, students should own the ability of doing synthesis of the knowledge being taught. They should not just blindly learn the knowledge, but should think about its accuracy and theory behind it. In addition, integration is important for students to fully understand and apply the knowledge learnt. Besides that, students should be trained to differentiate and handle obstacles faced during their projects. Last but not least, students should be able to used and applied what they had learnt in their daily life. This is followed by the last one, which is evaluation.

On the other hand, Micheal Bezzina, from Australian Catholic University, 2007, carries out a study name “The leaders transforming learning and learners pilot study”. The samples for his study included students, staff and professional people. Methods used by him were group interview, individual interview and survey form.
 * Authentic Learning **

In his study, he indicated that “//Having clarified understandings of shared moral purpose, and shared leadership as a means of bringing this into reality, attention now turns to the central pillar of shared purpose in schools – authentic learning.”//

For authentic learning, it has a few main targets to be achieved. The first one is building up personal characteristic. This is because everyone is unique, thus students need to identify themselves by their own definition and personalization. The next one is the awareness of self responsibility and the objectives of study. No matter as a student or working force, they still need to clearly understand the relationship between responsible and learning outcomes. Besides that, living harmoniously in this multiracial and multicultural community, it requires mutual respect and integrity. Therefore, with all the applications in practice, they can be transformed to a complete person.

As transforming learners, they own those specific values, ethics, leadership and ability of learning efficiency. They will perform justice and enthusiasm with everything. Being ethical by being responsible to every task assgned to them. Leadership means active participation and evidence-based practice, willing to spend more time to upgrade themselves by professional learning. Sometimes, they also need some effective communication skills to deliver their command or instructrions to others.