ERIC ED399933: Towards Achieving a Critical Thinking Society in Malaysia: A Challenge to School Libraries and Educational Systems.

16 Pages·1993·0.37 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
ED 399 933
IR 056 048
Yaacob, Raja Abdullah; Seman, Norma Abur
AUTHOR
Towards Achieving a Critical Thinking Society in
TITLE
Malaysia: A Challenge to School Libraries and
Educational Systems.
PUB DATE
93
NOTE
15p.; In: Dreams and Dynamics. Selected Papers from
the Annual Conference of the International
Association of School Librarianship (22nd, Adelaide,
South Australia, Australia, September 27-30, 1993);
see IR 056 045.
PUB TYPE
Reports
Descriptive (141)
Speeches/Conference
Papers (150)
EDRS PRICE
MFO1 /PCO1 Plus Postage.
DESCRIPTORS
*Critical Thinking; Curriculum Development;
Developing Nations; Economic Development; Educational
Development; Elementary Secondary Education; Foreign
Countries; Futures (of Society); Information
Literacy; *Information Skills; Research and
Development; *Role; School Libraries; Social Change;
*User Needs (Information)
IDENTIFIERS *Malaysia
ABSTRACT
One of the challenges facing Malaysia amidst its
economic development is the achievement of a critical thinking
society. This would enhance and guarantee the success of research and
development programs in addition to having other socioeconomic
effects. This paper covers the following topics: Vision 2020,
Malaysia's goal to reach developed nation status by the year 2020;
Malaysia's educational system; the role of the government/educational
system, school libraries, teachers and schools, public libraries,
parents, and schools of library and information science; methods of
achieving a critical thinking society; information literacy and
systematic information skills; characteristics of a critical thinker;
and recommendations for the educational system, information skills
program, curriculum, and research. Two appendices consist of
considerations for critical thinking skills for school and classroom
management, and a diagram of issues related to the implementation of
the information skills program. (Contains 17 references.)
(SWC)
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*
*
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
*
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from the original document.
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Towards Achieving a Critical Thinking Society in Malaysia: A Challenge to
School Libraries and Educational Systems
by
Dr. Raja Abdullah Yaacob and Norma Abur Seman
this paper to delve deeply into the critical
The central issue in improving the quality of in-
struction is not a question of promoting thinking
thinking factors and mechanics because much of
it has been written by educators. However, if
or information, but of school managers striking a
we information specialists believe in the
balance between the two for the benefit of stu-
dents. (Jack Zevin)
connection that we are part of the educational
process, take advantage of the
training
Introduction
attained, the guiding rule behind our objectives
One of the great challenges facing Malaysia
should be to play the part that could help mold
individuals into a critical thinking person.
amidst its dynamic economic development is the
achievement of a critical thinking society. Crit-
There are also distinct benefits to be gained
from taking advantage of the seeming
ical thinking is defined by Mathew Lipman as,
"A skillful, responsible thinking that facilitates
benevolence of the developed nations.
good judgement because it relies upon criteria;
Problem Statement
is self-correcting; and is sensitive to context."'
It helps promote individual growth through a
One of the abilities that the graduates
number of methods, theories, ideas, programs,
of an educational system acquire is the ability
and techniques.
Marcia Heiman and Joshua
to be critical in their thinking and in problem
solving, essential for their survival in the
Slomianko, on the other hand defined critical
thinking as, "raising questions; breaking up a
modern society. This ability is important, not
complex idea into smaller components; drawing
only during the educational process but also
upon prior knowledge; and translating com-
during their career. Many observations made
plicated ideas into examples."2 To achieve this
by employers and concerned individuals have
goal, a number of factors are involved.
shown that the present graduates generally
This
lack critical thinking ability. Although the
would include some discussions among others,
on the role of the government, educational sys-
educational objectives have stipulated the need
tem, parents, teacher training centers, and also
for critical ability, not much has been done to
school libraries. One factor that is vital is the
make it a reality.
Also, findings from various
concerted effort that has to be initiated to
studies indicate a significant relationship
between one's ability to find, utilize and
systematically increase the society's information
skills.
interpret information and his/her ability to
Although it is noted that critical think-
think critically.
Numerous theoretical frame-
ing could be attained by common approaches,
works in education and other socio- psychological
such as the discovery approach, lateral think-
models, attempt to guide and show the ways
ing, problem-solving, cooperative learning, and
and the background leading to the creation of
reinforced by the practical experience, it is
critical thinking while literature indicate the
believed that librarians, via school libraries,
strategy and training that can lead to critical
could also complement these methodologies,
thinking. However, very little has been written
given adequate services and activities.
on the ability of an individual to become more
While
this paper attempts to describe elements that
critical through the utilization of a wide range of
Given a situation where an
can contribute to the learning of critical think-
information.
ing, effort will also be made to identify the
individual began to gain the habit of being more
characteristics of a critical thinker. At the same
critical, this condition has to be maintained,
time, with the inception of Vision 2020, it is
otherwise there is every possibility that he/she
imperative that the nation require this kind of
will relapse to the original condition. Another
individual in its society.
The kind of society
problem that may be worth mentioning is that,
envisaged would not only help enhance and
to many Malaysians, the notion of critical
guarantee the
success of research and
thinking strategies and techniques do not arise
development programs but also other socioeco-
because this concept itself is not well known. It
nomic implementations.
It is not the intent of
is known among the top leaders, successful
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Educational Research and Improvement
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION
"PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS
10
CENTER (ERIC)
MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY
This document has been reproduced as
received from the person or organization
Ken Haycock
originating it.
Minor changes have been made to
improve reproduction quality.
2
Points of view or opinions stated in this
document do not necessarily represent
TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
official OERI position or policy.
INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)."
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
educators, professionals, entrepreneurs and
sectors in terms of their commitment, thinking,
administrators of the late attempts being made
creativity, and leadership. Would it not be too
to exploit to the fullest through the scope of our
much to be expected from the high school
educational system.
leavers? This notion is also based on a critical
evaluation of the speeches made by the
Rationale
government leaders and those closely involved
Studies indicate that critical thinking
in education.
For example, in one of the
can be acquired by most individuals, given the
speeches, it was said that the present system of
encouragement from parents, friends, schools,
education emphasizes student memorization
and other relevant systems. Within the context
and examination and if this is allowed to
of a knowledge spectrum, it has been recognized
continue it will only result in the acquiring of
that in order for a person to be wise and apply
knowledge but not using that knowledge
knowledge, he/she needs information and that
effectively. Early realization of this problem has
information needs to be imparted from the
resulted in numerous seminars and conferences
source to the recipient.
This implies that
all of which led to positive resolutions towards
although information may exist in abundance,
improving the situation so that students could
an individual has to use it in order to take
think more critically and creatively, able to
advantage of its value on one hand and to be
make decisions, solve problems, interpret,
"wise" in selecting the right information on the
analyze, and develop new information and
other hand. Moreover, information of all kinds
research.
is the source that is needed to perpetuate new
Malaysia may genuinely take pride in
knowledge and ideas.
her stable economic growth that result in
a
The present information era has its
better quality of life.
But highly apparent as
characteristic of information as the heart of all
the result of modernization is the rise of
an
activities, an era which requires critical minds
unhealthy culture among the younger genera-
to deal with problem-solving scenarios, to which
tion, that is the tendency to "waste their time."
information is vital. A high academic qualifica-
While there is evidence of an extraordinary
tion is not a guarantee for critical thinking.
increase of youngsters wasting their time away
That is why even in a situation where the
at supermarket, parks, and other public places,
number of qualified people in Malaysia is
there is a clear absence of these youth visiting
substantial, the number of potential leaders is
the libraries. This problem has in fact reached
still not in proportion.
public attention and parental outcry to merit it
Finally, of late the concept of critical
be a national issue. Whether or not it is the
thinking becomes the topic of great interest to
outcome of modernization or a decline in moral
both academicians, professionals, and the
and cultural values among the youth, it is up to
country's leadership.
To this
in
effect,
the sociologists to research on this problem. In
November, there is a scheduled international
the meantime, this problem calls for a serious
education conference and the theme is critical
effort to help shape a more healthy society--a
thinking. In fact, a day seminar on the same
society that could think critically and this
subject was held on June 9, 1993, given by a
should begin with the youth because they are
prominent educator, Dr. Jack Zevin.
The
indeed the leaders of tomorrow.
concept of a critical thinking society suddenly
has become the topical theme.
Vision 2020
Malaysia may be considered as a third
State of the Art: Present Society
world country, but it is not by any way the
Vision 2020 has made the present
intention of this nation to let this situation
society realize the importance of a more critical
remain the status quo. Every conceivable effort
society in order to survive the new challenges
has been made to improve the economic
and problems of the future. However, research
standing. It is fitting that the positive economic
shows that many graduates leaving institutions
and industrial development and success has
of higher learning do no meet the expectation of
given the confidence for this country to have the
both public and private sectors in terms of their
visionary goal to achieve a developed nation
thinking,
commitment,
creativity,
and
status by the year 2020.
It is also within this
If the situation is true that
leadership.
context that a critical thinking society is highly
graduates from higher institutions do not meet
aspired to help with the development of all
the expectation of both the public and private
sectors of the socioeconomy, industry, and trade.
11
3
Educational System in Malaysia
What type of society is envisaged in the year
The British colonial era left numerous
2020? A society that is more oriented towards
residual issues which were only realized more
developed and
progressive,
scientific,
a
The environment at
than twenty years later.
knowledgeable one. Because without adequate
that time brought along an inevitable situation
knowledge, it may not be possible for the society
in which the country was left with thei limited
to reach this goal in order to successfully achieve
the status of an industrialized nation. choice of accepting the British systems and
What was inherent was the mere
practices.
According to the Prime Minister, Datok Seri Dr.
"idolization" of all that was British, even the
Mahathir Muhammad, in becoming a fully
It is not the intention of
educational system.
developed country, he envisaged that Malaysia
the writers to evaluate the educational system
should be "a scientific and progressive society, a
but it is important to realize
of the British,
society that is innovative and forward-looking,
that at the infancy stages of independence,
one that is not only a consumer of technology
there should be a sys-tem that suits the level of
but also a contributor to the scientific and
the development, culture, and environment of
technological civilization of the future." The
the country. The system that was relevant to
people must also strive to achieve critical
the British at that time may not be relevant to
thinking imbued with the highest of ethical
Malaysia. Condi-tions vary because they reflect
standards so that we can not only move into a
different historical and cultural heritages. A
highly technology-based nation but also a caring
system that assesses students entirely on the
It is indeed through education which is
society.
final examination may not be an excellent
related directly to human resources that we can
measure for leadership qualities after all. That
Therefore, when we
meet these aspirations.
was the system that was being practiced all
decide to invest in human capital, it is of
along until very lately when the curriculum in
economic necessity that we invest well to ensure
the schools and colleges began to be restruc-
rapid and sustained development
tured along the local needs and the environmen-
However, the objectives though
tal changes.
Educational Theory
excellent have not been given adequate
basic theoretical
the
Essentially,
attention and at times neglected completely.
frameworks behind the acquisition of the much
Students are exposed to facts on various
needed skill has something to do with the
subjects, but they are not taught to think over
educational concept and system. In Malaysia,
the content that is learned. They are not given
the educational system is seemingly moving
the chance to search and use information
toward hospitable and innovative changes. For
themselves, which ultimately leads them to be
example, it is agreed that in the past, the
too reliant on the teachers and discourages
educational system and the learning process
placed emphasis on dates of battles, animal
them from giving their own opinion.
classification, instead of "a sense of history" or
Even the teaching
Curriculum Approach
animal life and behavior.
The New Primary School Curriculum
technique has changed with the increasing use
better known as KBSR was introduced in 1983
of modern instructional devices in some fortu-
with the aim of developing intellectual, affective,
nate schools. What has not changed though is
aesthetic, psychomotor, social, moral, and
the information seeking skills, that is students'
spiritual aspects of human personality.
The
ability to work efficiently and to organize their
integrated Secondary School Curriculum (KBSM)
work. Systematic information skills programs
on the other hand, continues the same ideal
enable individuals to acquire skills essential or
with the objective of achieving a general educa-
necessary to cope with the information age that
tion and the teaching and learning strategies,
The concept of lifelong
we are facing now.
education derived from reading enables
focussing on specific knowledge, creativity,
manipulative manual skills, business skills,
individuals to use their intellect to the fullest
social sciences, computer education, and moral
Calls for the need to revolutionize
extent.
According to Rita Vias,
and religious values.
thinking and the transformation of culture is
these approaches are viewed as child-centered,
relevant to the future perspective which is
activity centered, and resource-based methods
linked to the concept of development. There is
of teaching and learning.3 Even the 1988Nation-
indeed a relationship between creativity and
al Education Policy clearly highlighted the
open-mindedness and the ability to be critical.
educational objective of developing newly
12
defined knowledge skills and also teaching life-
in a short space of time, leading to a somewhat
long learning attitude.
imbalance in the organizations and structures
The reformation of National Education
of staff, services, and facilities
further led to the new National Education Act,
Changes amidst the Vision 2020 have
replacing the National. Education Act of 1961.
been obvious in that the government shows
The new act is based on the foundation of bal-
great interest in its policy to "grab" every oppor-
ance and harmony in the development of
tunity for better educational returns,no matter
potential mankind.
Students are exposed to
how and where it can be achieved. Thus, the
the importance of knowledge, skill, and moral
diversification of higher education where the
values.
scholars could now be sent to countries, other
The two educational approaches may
than Great Britain, Australia, and New Zea-
now have to be viewed in light of Vision 2020.
land like the old days.
Countries such as
The educational system would have bearings on
America, Europe, Japan, and Korea have been
what we are going to be in the future and this
added to the list.
Also, the growth of private
necessitates the setting up of new targets and
colleges has been tremendous. The twinning
standards of excellence, not only in science and
programs with higher institutions in the West
technology, but also strategies toward achieving
promise to provide quality education. The grow-
a critical thinking society.
ing need of information professionals (IP) to
Teacher, Talk and Chalk Syndrome is
support these colleges is a testimony of high
not new and it is still being practiced. The im-
expectations for graduates. It is important then
pact is on the students who could pass exami-
for the IP to work with the vision of creating
a
nations but may not be able to fully utilize the
critical thinking society. Active learning is built
knowledge or develop leadership qualities.
It is
upon the assumption that critical thinking is,
realized that the educational system should be
perhaps even more important than the subject
formulated so that it would have a positive
content.
Students who think critically about
effect on the society.
broad general principles are expected to be able
Three main aspects that contribute to
to apply those principles to new and different
the quality of the education system are effic-
problems.
iency that is necessary to sustain the impetus
for growth in line with the country's changing
Whose Role
needs; relevancy that ensures the curriculum is
The achievement of a critical thinking
suited to social and economic needs of the pre-
society depends basically on the society itself
sent and future; and the pursuit of excellence
which is made up of various quarters. However,
that is enhancement of human skills and know-
it is be-lieved that the main underlying factor
ledge. In short, it would be most appropriate to
goes to the educational system and the library
quote the guiding principle of the government's
system beginning at the school level. The
philosophy on quality education as stated in the
components that are considered to have effect
National Philosophy of Education:
on the achievement of critical thinking have
been identified as seen in Figure 1 and Table 1
Education in Malaysia is an on-going
respectively.
effort towards further developing the potential of
individuals in a holistic and integrated manner, so
1. Government/Educational System
as to produce individuals who are intellectually,
As stated by the education policies, the
spiritually, emotionally and physically balanced
government is the vehicle, instrumental to new
and harmonious, based on a firm belief in and
changes. With the inception of the numerous
devotion to God.
Such an effort is designed to
resolutions, it is clear that the government
produce Malaysian citizens who are knowledge-
supports the new direction of including a
able, who possess high moral standards, and who
are responsible and capable of achieving a high
thinking society and giving impetus to various
level [of] personal well-being as well as being able
parties to implement this goal. Calls by various
to contribute to the betterment of the society and
authorities, including at the ministerial level for
nation at large.
a concerted effort towards achieving this goal
has been given nothing more than moral and
The educational system in Malaysia is
material incentives.
therefore, at a turning point where to do nothing
would be to choose to be stagnant. The tremen-
dous technological development has taken place
18
Table 1
Roles of Various Components in Achieving the Critical Thinking Society
Roles
Components
Identify, study and establish policy on how to achieve
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS
critical thinking person as part and parcel of the over-
all educational objectives.
Incorporate critical thinking approaches into the exist-
CURRICULUM
ing curriculum, using skills approach or direct method,
infusion model. Train the teachers and experts in criti-
cal thinking to perpetuate the skills across the curri-
culum.
Aware and conscious of the importance of critical think-
HEADMASTERS/ADMINISTRATORS
ing program. Monitors, coordinates, evaluates for its
successful implementation.
Establish strategies and increase support for every
School Library &
a.
effort to achieve thinking through:
Resource Centre
information resources--implement
College Library
i.
b.
services and activities--information skills
University Library
ii.
c.
strategies
Encourage, nurture, be exemplary, set role models, show
PARENTS
concern and enthusiasm, and motivate the children.
Teach, inculcate, promote, motivate, emphasize, assim-
TEACHERS
ulate concept in teaching and learning activities. En-
courage activities, such as debates, lectures, talks, and
project presentations.
Table 2
INFORMATION SKILL DEVELOPMENT
PRIMARY YEARS TERTIARY YEARS
PROGRAMS
SECONDARY YEARS
Library Orientation
Advance
Mid-level
Basic
Library Instruction
Advance
Mid-level
Basic
(Library Services
and Collection)
Advance
Bibliographic
Mid-level
Nil
Instruction (Index,Ab-
stracts, reviews, etc.)
Information Technol-
Advance
Mid-level
Basic
ogy Skills
Term Paper Clinic
Advance
Mid-level
Nil
Inculcation of Reading Basic
Advance
Mid-level
Skills Habits, Remedial
Reading (Problems in
Reading)
14
2. School Libraries and Resource Centers
counselling services in addition to the cognitive
input should have been emphasized to
There has been evolutionary changes in
the educational philosophy and teaching/learn-
prospective teachers. Teachers should try to in-
ing methods in the school curriculum.
crease the students intellectual capability by
These
changes arc also reflected by the role of school
teaching students how to learn and training
libraries which have prompted various labels:
them to analyze, evaluate, and think for them-
media center, learning resource center, or school
selves. Teachers should also use interpersonal
relationships with the learners and move
resource center replacing the conventional title
of school library.
Moreover, with the multi-
according to an individual pace.
As Huston
dimensional expansion of information media
stated, "in a participant-centered classroom,
that are being integrated as learning materials
student learners must feel encouraged to
it has called for a transformation of the role of
operate from their own domain of experience,
the school library and school librarians. Even
rather than moving immediately into that of the
within the Malaysian context, the term resource
educators' experience."5 Further, the role that
center is nothing new because the media
can be played at the school level would include:
resources were added to the schools in the
helping students to understand and be
However, development is slow and
1970s.
i.
varies from school to school and is essen-tially
aware of the importance of information in
an urban school phenomenon. School librarians
life.
are now expected to be proactive agents of
ii. making students realize that knowledge and
change in the learning process, amidst the
skill acquired while at school is insufficient
change in the role of the school library.
for later years. They need to continuously
Moreover, not all schools treated the new media
acquire and utilize knowledge and skills.
as an integrated part of the library, but as an
iii. teaching students how to manage a large
additional facility.
amount of information through information
School librarians and the media center
skill programs.
should try to develop among students the
iv. applying information skills in the learning
following skills:
process and later in place of work and daily
Library skills -- develop various reading and
i.
life.
writing skills as well as critical thinking, so
4. Public libraries
that the child is able to interact with his
readings and writings.
A cross section of the public at all levels
Inquiry and research skills--able to do
use the public library for leisure and education-
ii.
research in the library and look for all types
al purposes. The public library could play a sig-
nificant role in shaping the thinking and atti-
of information resources.
iii. Information presentation skills.
tudes of the public and be the agent for change
A number of research projects that have
in the following ways:
provides informational materials and re-
been done, including some at the Ph.D level in-
i.
sources on different subjects that would
dicate a positive relationship between academic
achievement, language reading, and library
nurture the critical thinking process;
highlights and promotes informational
skills and the quality of school library media
u.
A good library media service with
materials as a source of facts, ideas,and
service.
professional staff enhances the quality of
experiences which could be useful in solving
education. The school library system should be
problems, create new ideas, designs and
client-centered, allowing students to support the
products;
attracts children, youth, and adults to
cultivation of information literacy.
iii.
utilize their leisure time critically in
3. Teachers and Schools
libraries for pleasure and information;
No matter how advanced is the IT, the
iv. makes society aware of the role of the public
library as the center for education, and
teachers remain the vital resource in the educa-
tional system.
According to Omar, "Students
social and cultural activities;
need warmth, encouragement, and understand-
intensifies its effort toward drawing more
v.
ing which no curriculum package can provide."4
members from the society so that they can
take advantage of the information to
This has implications for the manner in which
training is given at the teachers' training
nourish them intellectually and spiritually
centers where the importance of nurturing and
15 7
School of Library and Information
with the goal of achieving a more critical
6.
Science
capacity and power to excel.
To support the large-scale changes ne-
cessary to promote libraries and literacy, the
5. Parents
curricula of library schools should be revised. In
One of the greatest influential factors in
order to realize the objectives of the emerging
cognitive and affective development of a child is
need for critical thinking, adequately trained
the parents. Parents should rad widely and be
Further,
library personnel is indeed needed.
knowledgeable in the upbringing of their
the school's added responsibility is also geared
Children need to be exposed at an
children.
at a continuous commitment toward the
early age to reading materials, rhymes, riddles,
training and upgrading of various skills. This is
and educational games. Parents, par-ticularly
due to the fact that the adequate and well
in Malaysia within the present context could
could determine the
trained work force
contribute to the development of critical
Critical
effectiveness of the resource centers.
thinking by:
issues that are emerging within the education
encouraging the child to question at an early
i.
profession will affect the development of library
age to discuss matters with them. The child
education and training programs needed to
has to be taught to ask "why" besides what
meet the need.
is it.
pertinent
factor
worth
Another
exposing and involving them to the concept
ii.
mentioning is the teaching of bibliographic
of problem-solving at an early age, such as
instruction in the library schools. The library
how to deal with situations if the washing
user education programs are usually taken
machine is not working.
seriously by the college and university
iii. introducing positive attitudes in them.
It is
authorities upon receiving new students.
iv. explaining to them to discover on their own
also high on the list of priorities in the academic
through reading. Always reason things out
library. The programs of the school of library
with them to improve their reasoning abili-
and information studies should better equip the
ties and problem solving.
prospective librarians to teach and also remind
teaching the child not only to defend a posi-
v.
them of their teaching role and the importance
tion (themselves) and to analyze (itemize)
It is appropriate, therefore,
of user education.
but also to apply the skill of doing things
in a time of increasing informational media and
(the design and creative elements).
demand for information by more sophisticated
6. School of Library and Information
users for library schools to expose students to
the theoretical framework in learning such as
Science
To support the large-scale changes
learning theories, psychological and sociological
behavior theories and be encouraged to continue
necessary to promote libraries and literacy, the
It is recognized
their education in this area.
curricula of library school should be revised. In
that knowing how knowledge/information is
order to realize the objectives of emerging need
created, processed, stored, and retrieved alone
for critical thinking, adequately trained library
is not enough and more emphasis should be
Further, the
personnel is indeed needed.
given on how to strengthen their ability to teach
school's added responsibility is also geared at a
people to use this knowledge successfully
continuous commitment toward training work-
navigate the ever changing informational media.
force couldcould be a determint to the effect-
Critical issues
iveness of the resource centers.
that are emerging within the education
How to Achieve: Methodologies
profession will affect the development of library
Technique of Intellectual Work
education and training programs needed to
Teaching the technique of how to study
meet the need.
and how to work is not new since the though
Another pertinent factor worth men-
was put forward in 1898 by a great philosopher
tioning is the teaching of bibliographic instruct-
and professor, T. G. Masaryk, in his lectures
The library user
ion in the library schools.
entitled "How to Work." What tools could be
education programs are usually taken seriously
used to "augment his mind, amplify his mental
by the college and university authorities upon
power and help him in many aspects of his
It is also high on the
receiving new students.
In other words critical
intellectual activity
list of priorities in academic libraries.
"6
16
thinking can indeed be generated through
"Membaca"
(Reading)
intellectual activities.
3M
"Mengira"
(Mathematics)
"Menulis"
(Writing)
Educational Years in Schools
The school should not be perceived
as
What has not been emphasized is the fourth
entirely an information seeking place. It should
"M", that is "Maklumat" which is Information.
be instrumental in the promotion of reasoning
Information must be added to the curriculum
and problem-solving skills.
The two elements
because it facilitates the learning of reading and
should be the "major objectives, presenting
writing.
information and developing thinking skills, and
Reading
are represented in the management of school
classrooms, curriculum, and testing programs.?
Information
In other words, the content, goals and objectives
of the schools and the time spent should
not
Writing
only lead to quality education but also the
learning outcomes that would
ensure critical
The main outcome of the implementation of
the
thinking. Therefore, the school
program should
old and new curriculum has been unsuccessful
be remodeled, stressing the "higher-order
in producing critical individuals because school
cognitive concepts and strategies through critical
leavers and graduates have not acquired
or
approaches as a group, and there
are many
reached the critical thinking level
as expected.
different ones, emphasize quality educational
management, instruction, and learning rather
Seminar: A Method of Instruction
than quantity."8
"Seminar has become an established
In the classroom setting, teachers
as
method of instruction in many institutions of
role models should be the intermediary in
higher learning, especially in the West.
problem-solving and encourage students to
Although at the beginning, it
was confined to
discuss, debate among themselves, give projects
graduate students, many institutions
are using
and allow presentations of these projects and
seminars as a method of instruction
even at
allow other students
ask questions.
to
freshman level (1st year).
The number of
Students should be given creative exercises,
students in a seminar is small, maybe five
to
such as reviews of books, articles, and films.
ten.
The students work in close association
The present "parroting" methods should be
with the instructor.
They make an in-depth
eliminated, and students should be encouraged
study of some topics, write a
paper, present it
to view things from different angles and this
in class, and invite discussion. The seminar
as
could be derived through different thoughts of
a method of instruction provides an introduction
authors.
This would help in the adoption of
to the methods of scholarly work and helps to
alternative approaches to the one single
answer
cultivate habits of confident presentation and
way inherent in the Malaysian system.
meaningful discussion.
It promotes self-study
Questions or discussions given to students
and critical thinking. Such a method naturally
should demand logical, judgmental,
or critical
depends on greater use of library materials and
assessments. In helping students to learn how
library research."
to learn, the role of resource centers should be
In short,
classroom learning and
emphasized,
and coordination between
teaching should be done in a
manner to allow
classroom and the resource center should be
teacher-student interactions with the objective
encouraged.
Research has been done to
of increasing students' cognitive levels.
There
evaluate and measure the effectiveness of these
should be rapport between the two levels, and
methods, and it has been found that these
encouragement should always be given for
methods are good in retaining information but
students to ask and answer questions and
not in critically analyzing information and
discuss problems. Emerging patterns of edua-
In this new environment, it is
knowledge.
tion are increasingly emphasizing
process skills,
interesting to see the improvement and
opening avenues for more active
pupil
modifications made to suit the new need.
For
involvement in learning.
example the new curriculum has been known
as
the 3M because emphasis is given to:
Post-educational Period
Information leads to thinking and
therefore reading should be continued and
17
2
notably the school and college libraries to
pursued during the post-educational period.
improve and speed up the information skill
The information may cover different areas of
interest or be related to the career. It would not
programs.
Now that we talk about the important
be a bad idea to have home libraries and also
methodologies of achieving critical thinking, the
set up libraries in the office.
method that can be practically applied by school
Continuous Education and Training
librarians in order to meet the goal is systemat-
(Conference, Seminars, and Workshops)
ic information skills. Systematic information
skills are nothing new in the West. In fact, in
As soon as one begins a career, he/she
Nation at Risk it as clearly stipulated that a
should undergo full fledged training. Training is
an on-going process done by attending con-
nation that lacks the tempo of reading would be
tantamount to the downfall of the people's
Therefore, it can be
ferences and workshops.
summarized that the two phases of develop-
progress, and that it why it is regarded as being
ment of information skills, one during the pre-
It is within the context of this problem
at risk.
statement that critical thinking has to be
critical thinking stage,and the other during the
thinking stage that should
nurtured, continued and one of the ways is
post-critical
constitute a life-long process in the individual's
through the concerted effort of both teachers and
librarians to help the individuals through a
intellectual development.
systematic information skills program.
Information Literacy: Systemic Informa-
introduction
systematic
of
The
tion Skills
information skills and a program of critical
One's ability to think critically is
thinking will require the that management/au-
influenced by his/her ability to find, utilize, and thorities recognize the importance of increasing
interpret information. An information literate
critical abilities in the short as well as the long
term. With some refinements, existing methods
person is able to recognize when information is
of information skills could be improved.
needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate,
Implementation of a broad-based critical
and employ the needed information effectively.
In other words, he has learned what to learn.
thinking program in classroom and libraries,
The overwhelming increase in the kinds and
however, is contingent upon the development of
more sophisticated methods for adequately
types of information led to the globalization of
every sector of life. Not all information is
measuring the total output of the programs.
Also, with the rapidly changing information
relevant and needed and therefore, individuals
should be able to select, record, and dissemi- formats, both librarians and users require on-
nate necessary information. What is significant
going learning.
is the realization on the part of the Deputy
Table 2 illustrates some examples of
information skills programs that undertaken at
General of Education, Datuk Haji Omar Mohd.
Hashim, who highlighted that with the
different levels:
knowledge explosion, "...it becomes crucial,
therefore to equip the students with higher
Library Orientation
i.
cognitive skills such as critical thinking, the use Library Instruction
ii.
of the scientific process, the ability to think
Bibliographic Instruction
iii.
abstractly and creatively and the ability to be
Library Skills
iv.
Related to this is the
intellectually flexible.
Information Skills
v.
need to master the skills of lifelong learning
Library Information Skills Course
vi.
where we teach students to accustom them-
selves with the idea of learning throughout their
To ensure that the above programs are effective,
They must know how to gain
working life.
it is also crucial to supplement with one-on-one
instruction at all times (at the desk) as a form
access to information, what kind of information
to select, and what to use the information for. "9
of reinforcement. Also, Library and Information
Skills Course could be included as part of the
Although the above statements are nothing new
college and university
requirements
in
to librarians, the very fact that they come from
a higher authority and from a different
Appendix 1 underlines issues
curriculum.
related to the implementation of information
profession has a great significance because it is
in agreement with what has been preached by
skills program.
the library profession.
With this official
recognition, it is appropriate for all libraries,
18 10