Entrepreneur - Microsoft

1.0            Introduction

“Innovation is finding ways to deliver new or better goods or services” according to Kinicki and Williams (2003). Therefore, every types of organization must always continue to strive in search of new ideas for the betterment and quality of what their organizations are offering to the society. With new ideas produce, it is for the benefit of the society and their customers.

Having innovation is a must and specific tools for entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs will need to exploit change in order to try it out on starting any new businesses. They will need to search on what kind of innovation that they can develop or change to take their opportunities to striking success.

They have to explore new kind of innovation, develop new things or change things that they had, to grab the opportunity and lead the market.

Having business opportunities are good but having the innovation to do business differently is better.  To create or to have a physical product, there are some factors to what the products are made of. For example, by factor of material, physical and mental labour, of course funds. Entrepreneurs must have the capability of combining all these factors innovatively in order for them to create something that they can present to the world and for the world to assess on the creation that is brought to them.

Innovation isn’t just about inventing or creating something new and it doesn’t only range within production of goods; it also covers on services and or processes. It is also about the motivation or an idea that is sparked and be made into something realistic. Be it, out of a product that has already existed, entrepreneur will need to have the motivation into making that product or services better for the benefit of society and also for the said entrepreneurs.   

2.0            Organisation’s description

The name Microsoft Corporation is so synonym in our time today. But how much do we know of it? Because of the normality of the name being mention each time, we do sometimes forget, what does that company contributes for the benefit of society.

It first started in Albuquerque, New Mexico with only 6 employees. At that time, in 1975, the name Microsoft was not invented yet. Paul Allen and Bill Gates completed with request from MITS a computer language program called ALTAIR BASIC. After completion, MITS bought the program and from that market, Microsoft hits yearly sales totalling of $16,005.00. By 1976, the name Microsoft was officially registered and also in the same year, Microsoft’s revenue shoots up to $22,496.00 with only 9 employees working under the company. In 1977, they came up with their second duplication on computer language software, FORTRAN-80 and upgraded the Altair Basic to be compatible with Z-80 and 8080 microprocessors.

But, both childhood friends Paul Allen and Bill Gates had just begun and soon will be taking the rest of the world with them.

Now, Microsoft is estimated to have generated a total of $51 billion amount of revenue, they are one of the top 10 investors for R&D worldwide and hiring over 79,000 staff in over 102 countries. Microsoft are also one of the public listed company with its operation divided into segments of seven such as : Client, Serve and Tools, Information Worker, Microsoft Business Solutions, MSN, Mobile and Embedded Devices and Home Entertainment. With major shareholders such as Vanguard Group Inc. and State Street Global Advisor, and these are just naming a few, Microsoft has shares outstanding to 8.40 billion dollars. They have also won the World’s Best Multinational Workplace in 2011.

Noticeably, Microsoft is known for the Microsoft Windows Operating System, Microsoft Office is its infamous software used by millions of people worldwide. Venturing into the Gaming Industry, Microsoft Invented XBOX, a gaming Console so powerful that has become a trend throughout the planet. With the launching of XBOX 360 with Kinect, a webcam peripheral that emulate gesture as one of the input controller, in which Kinect was noted as the “Fastest Selling Consumer Electronic Device” by the Guinness Book of Records.

3.0            Types of innovation

Innovation are divided by 4 types,

1)      Invention

2)      Extension

3)      Duplication

4)      Synthesis

1)   Invention

Derived from the Latin word in venire which means, “to find”, invention means in concern of finding something. Invention or inventing is to create new products or ideas which have not been tried before. The process of invention is spark from collaborative creative process and also brainstorming. Invention is basically a creative process and can serve many purposes. These purposes might change over a period of time and it might significantly differ. Sometimes invention may serve their purpose of their development and sometimes exceed the purpose that might not be envisioned by its creator. Invention might evolve into something more specific or simpler than when it is first invented. Such as the inventions of computers, when it is first developed, it’s compatibility is not as vast and expanded as it is today. The size of the first invented computers are not as small and light as today and perhaps it is never envisioned that a computer can be a size of a small box. But the purpose of computer being invented is served and has exceeded the expectations.

2)   Extension

Every organization will want to expand and want to make more than what they are producing as a product, or service that they are currently providing. This is where organization extends from its comfort zone by venturing into other field. Extension merely means to add in products or services to the existing lines. Taking in for example, Microsoft venturing into gaming platform software and hardware. In which they invented XBOX a gaming console which carries Microsoft’s gaming operating system and they manufactured the hardware themselves.  By extending their target market from just, Office and PC User, they had created a new market segment which expends to Children and Hard Core Gamers.

3)   Duplication

When the market has expended, a company have to make more of the existing product. They have to make multiple versions and ships dozen of updates. They have to duplicate the existing product and put a variety of product to feed the variety of needs for the consumers. Basically duplication would not just mean copying. But duplication here means, that should the organization made some add ons in order to improve the process of the product and services and by that improve competitiveness, therefore, it is said as duplication.  Samsung has created a vast line of mobile devices suites the need from their consumer. Some were super fast such as the Samsung Galaxy S III and some with Large Screen such as the Galaxy Tab 10’ and some were even fitted with a ‘Pico Projector’ to support the ability to have meeting and presentations anytime anywhere such as the Samsung Galaxy Beam. All of the above was just a duplication of a smart mobile device that fits into certain group of people or target markets.

4)   Synthesis

By the words of Ancient Greek, synthesis simply means “with placing”. Synthesis refers to when an entity or element of two or more are combined and that they together form something new, therefore alternatively it will refer into creating something with artificial means. By innovation, synthesis would mean a combination of elements by turning it to be a whole new product but with taking into consideration of the already existing ideas or from an already existing item. Taking for example, Google started as a search engine and expand their capacity with massive data warehouse and processing power. Then they venture into Android, an operating system for smartphones. With the support of Google massive infrastructure, Android has become one of the most advance smartphone OS now. They expand into computer operating system, Chrome OS, which is a cloud base computing OS. The OS lives within Google infrastructure whereby data are now no more stored in the computer hardware but it is available anywhere. We can now access our own PC anywhere without having to have the physical notebook or PC. They had synthesised their data warehouse and processing capability with their own operating systems.

4.0     Analysis of innovation adopted

As Microsoft grows, they continue developing new products and software. By invention and then extending those software to a better and upgraded products, they have gone from scratch and making it into something through their ideas and shared skills. Not only that, they also extended their view out from the safety of developing software’s, whereby they developed game consoles and Windows phone.

Microsoft in their early years back in 1975 has assisted MITS with a computer language program for personal computer, Altair Basic. Then they developed their second computer language program that they named FORTRAN-80. Whilst Altair Basic are extended and made to conform with 8080 and ZT-80 microprocessors a standard computer at that time. These computer languages are the duplication of the older version of Basic and FORTRAN 66. 

Then came MS-DOS and it was invented in the 1980’s. MS-DOS is a software that was developed to run and manage the computer hardware. It serves as a foundation to bridge the gap between the computer hardware and the program. With the introduction of MS-DOS, it also introduces a whole new language for computer to the society. Commands such as C: and other cryptic language is typed in to run the computer. Although MS-DOS is effective but it does proves that it is not quite understandable and hard for some people. So, Microsoft is determined to develop another kind of operating system that is simpler and much more user friendly.

Then by the year 1982, a new kind of operating system was invented. Code name the ‘Interface Manager’ at first, it was then converted to the name Windows 1.0. And this is the dawn of the infamous Windows Operating system that millions of people worldwide are using as we speak. Windows 1.0 was officially shipped in 1985. Windows 1.0 is the duplication of MS-DOS but it is much easier and rather than typing in MS-DOS like commands, user can just point out with a mouse and click the boxes on the screens. Windows 1.0 has drop – down menus, icons, dialog boxes and scroll bars. The program is easier to use. The ‘windows’ in this operating system enables user to just switch amongst other programs rather than having to quit and restart whenever they wanted to use the programs.

Later after, Windows 1.0 are then extended to a new version. In 1987 - 1992, Windows 2.0 – 2.11 is introduced. By duplicating the operation ways of Windows 1.0 the modification or upgrades made are that this version comes with desktop icons and expanded memories. Windows 2.0, screen layout can be controlled, windows can be overlapped and the use of keyboard shortcuts is introduced to speed up work. The subsequent releases of these Windows are improved continuously in regards to reliability, speed and usability of the personal computers. And up until now, Windows have always made improvement in compatibility to help users understand and to have no fuss of using a computer.

Then by the year 1995 – 2000, the age of the internet, Microsoft synthesises its Windows operating system and making it compatible to use in the new online world. Windows 95 was introduced. This operating system features Plug and Play capabilities for making installing hardware and software a breeze and hassle free. It also has a dial – up networking and built in internet support. This operating system that operates at 32-bit also has more powerful features, full mobile computing and integrated networking. Windows 95 also offers enhanced multimedia capabilities for users. Not to forget, Windows 95 is the first operating system that has the features of Start menu, minimize, maximizes and close button windows and taskbar. From here, upgraded feature of Windows are available with more security, stable, with speed and comes compatible with a wireless network features, making browsing the internet easier and to enable user to have the full feature useful even on the go.  

Besides than developing operating systems, Microsoft also extended their view to create other products too. Another invention that made a huge wave amongst high tech lovers especially gamers in 2001 are the infamous XBOX and XBOX 360. XBOX 360 is the lighter, slimmer version of XBOX. This game console is fully powered for extreme gamers and not only that, the XBOX also supports Digital Media. It can rip music and can play DVD’s. Enough said that this game console is not just a game console. XBOX is then synthesises by adding Kinect. Launched in the year 2010, Kinect is basically a motion sensing input that is devised through the use of webcams to enhance gaming features.

Another extension of product lines that is by Microsoft is the Windows phone. Previously Microsoft only develops operating system only for computers and after that they had migrated to a completely different environment and that is developing operating system for smartphones. With the collaboration made between other leading mobile phone suppliers and manufacturers, such as Nokia, HTC, T Mobile and Samsung, together they develop smartphones with the features of having Windows as its operating system. The first Windows phone made in collaboration with Samsung, Dell, HTC and LG was released in 2010. The first wave of Windows phones are known as Windows 7 “Mango”, it supports 25 languages, mobile version of Internet Explorer 9 and Twitter’s integration. Not long after that, in this 2012, a minor update is done and they released the version “Tango”. This version is released with ‘bugfixes’ and allowing devices with 800 MHz CPUs to run this phone.  

5.0     Sources of innovations

1)         Unexpected event

Microsoft got their first break in 1975, when MITS requires them to develop a computer language software. Altair Basic was invented taking from the older version of Basic, upgrading it and from there they were appointed by MITS and the distribution of Altair Basic was shipped out.  The turn of events concurred during the timeline since they first developed Altair Basic. Then in 1980’s, IBM approaches Microsoft with a project that they codename it “Chess”. IBM requires Microsoft to again develop a new operating system for their computers. From that turned of unexpected event, MS-DOS was introduced and at that time also, all IBM’s computers are running on this OS.

2)         New knowledge Concept

Microsoft are known for their operating system. The infamous Windows. They created a totally new OS based from their knowledge in computing. With having the basics of MS-DOS, they created an operating system that is more user friendly and easy to learn. Rather than having to memorise commands for MS-DOS, Windows have menu prepared and task bar for easy access. Even at that time people were sceptical, Microsoft pursues with their new knowledge in software for the market to assess.

3)         Process Needs

Back in the 1970’s, computer is not generally used in homes or offices, they are huge and does not have a specific operating system. They were using line commands not alike MS-DOS. Even if COBOL was first introduced in the 1960’s but it does not cater the needs of computer language as much. From there Microsoft did the process needs in creating a new computer language based on the older version of Basic and Fortran IV and 66 by redesigning and recreating any link that are missing for the purpose of upgrading of the computer language.  

6.0     Summary

From what has been told above, Microsoft can be exampled as one of the successful entrepreneurs. They started with only two people with an idea and a huge vision. Bill Gates and Paul Allen are two young computer enthusiasts and they see that personal computing is the future in the pathway to reach. Their vision is to see one computer in every desktop and every home. From just that, they strive and Microsoft began to change our way of working.

By unexpected event, they got a break from MITS, that needed them to duplicate BASIC to conform with their computers and the satisfaction in their work made MITS again asked them to duplicate and upgrade the program FORTRAN 66 to FORTRAN 80 in order to make the program consistent with their new microprocessor ZT-80 and 8080.

Being trusted on the results that they produced, they again got a break from IBM and they are needed to invent a new and efficient operating system the MS-DOS for IBM to run in their computers.

MS-DOS is a command based operating system, and proven hard for some users. Microsoft then started on the invention of Windows in the 1980’s. From there, Windows bloomed and by needed process of upgrading and by way of duplication they continued on exploring new possibilities that Windows could have to benefit its user.

By stepping out of their comfort zone, Microsoft then synthesises by venturing into gaming software and hardware. They also venture into making OS for smartphones. This is a new knowledge concept because for Microsoft, their previous are for PC and computer software’s only.

It is not only sheer luck, Microsoft strives on making real of their new knowledge concept even there are sceptics. They continued on what they belief and now Windows are used by people worldwide.

What is next for Microsoft? Nowadays everything is not saved in our computer’s hardware. There are no slots for DVD on many laptops. Everything is saved on flash drives or streamed. Now the more advance is, every documents are saved in the “Cloud”. The “Cloud” is an online space for storage or file sharing. Now to make compatible with the “Cloud” Microsoft has Windows Live, this is a free program for social networking, for keeping music and photos, emails and also instant messaging. Windows Live is integrated with Windows, and this will enable us to keep in touch with our phone, PC and the web. Windows Live is the credit of taking Windows to the “Cloud”

(3,000 words)

7.0     References

1.      The History of Microsoft, http://channel9.msdn.com/Series/History/The-History-of-Microsoft-1977 accessed on 4th July, 2012

2.      The History of Microsoft, http://channel9.msdn.com/Series/History/The-History-of-Microsoft-1976 accessed on 4th of July, 2012

3.      The History of Microsoft, http://channel9.msdn.com/Series/History/The-History-of-Microsoft-1975 accessed on 4th of July, 2012

4.      Jones, Caroline; Innovation Leaders ; http://innovationleaders.org/mic_company_profile.html accessed on 4^th July, 2012

5.      A History of Windows, http://www.computerhope.com/history/196080.htm accessed on 3^rd July, 2012

Multicultural Education : Challenges

1.0     Introduction

 Multicultural education is an idea, an educational reform movement, and a process (Banks, 1997). The purpose of multicultural education is to seek and create education opportunity to all students, despite race, genders, ethnics and minority groups. Malaysia is a developing country and comprises of multi-races society. We want our children to have good perspective of other culture and races in order for them to respect and acknowledge. The educational system should not imply prejudice in schools. Multiracial education is seen as an opening of offering to the students for an equitable educational opportunity.  If we are to dismiss multiracial,  we are dismissing the ideals of equity and social justice for our multicultural country. Therefore our government had created a philosophy based on policy documents and our ideology with accordance to our multi – ethnic society.

The government came up with the National Education Philosophy. The philosophy is created with the combination and integration of our Rukun Negara, National Economic Policy and National Education Policy and taking into account the cultures of the Malaysian society.

It has been a continuous process since our independence, in line with our country’s development. After several careful studies, the government came up with the Rahman Talib Statement 1960. Due to the vast growth of our country and to meet the era of science and technology together with the National Economic Policy, another committee was formed with their main objectives are to achieve the national unity in our multi-ethnic society and also to increase the sense of patriotism, producing skilled manpower for the nation development. And on 7^th November 1979, the Cabinet Committee issued a report that was known as Review of the Implementation of the Education Policy. With that, is the beginning of the formation of our National Education Philosophy. And on 1988, was introduced in writing by the Education Ministry.

The National Education Philosophy : -

"Education in Malaysia is an on-going effort towards further developing the potential of individuals in a holistic and integrated manner, so as to produce individuals who are intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically balanced and harmonic, based on a firm belief in and devotion to God. Such an effort is designed to produce Malaysian citizens who are knowledgeable and competent, who possess high moral standards and who are responsible and capable of achieving high level of personal well-being as well as being able to contribute to the harmony and betterment of the family, the society and the nation at large"

The interpretation of the philosophy and it is quote “produce individuals who are intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically balanced and harmonious, based on a firm belief and devotion to God…”. Malaysia is multiracial, we have Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and many more, are freely worshipped and embraced even though with Islam being the official religion of Malaysia. The main objective of NEP is  “to produce Malaysian citizen that are capable of achieving a high level of personality wellbeing to contribute to the betterment of the nation, family and society” A holistic development must be apply to integrate all of the individual’s potential through education, where as a medium, to bring out the most out of an individual’s positive attitudes to enjoy peace spiritually and are always ready to face life challenges.

NEP says, “Such an effort is designed to produce Malaysian citizens’, who are knowledgeable and competent...” from the phrase above we can understand on what the government wanted to strive and to give out in education for its citizens. 

“….. but what makes education a reality is a personal relationship between teacher and pupil, and with personal relationships no questions of equality can arise.” [40]

Bryan Wilson, (1975, pp.39-61)

Educators must not be influenced by prejudice, biases and racism while maintaining respect to the student’s cultural beliefs. Educators have to practice equality which is providing the same amount of educations to all of the student despites the race and culture. Educators also must practice equity whereby each student might not have the same acceptance level as the others. Despite the equal level of education through the classroom, educators must also make sure that the slow learners also get what they were teaching.

2.0     Challenges faced in teaching in a multiracial classroom/school

2.1       Cultural Differences

Malaysia has multiple races and culture. These differences might cause misunderstanding and poor social adaptations among students. Chinese are most likely to mingle with just Chinese due to their culture that embeds individual growth rather than collective growth. Malay will always play with Malay during recess because most of the leisure time games such as Congkak and Batu Seremban are Malay’s game. Indian are more on personal orientations to project social harmony within its culture. These beriers will eventually effect classroom integrations that might cause challenges to the educators.

2.2       Language Barrier

Currently, our educational system utilises the national language as the medium of instruction and unfortunately most of our students are still comfortable with their mother tongue. Language barriers often go hand-in hand with cultural differences, posing additional problems and misunderstandings in educational institutions. When a person speaks little of the national language or English, they might or can be intimidated and frustrated when trying to communicate with other races.  Students may act like they know what is being said, but in fact, may not know what is actually being discussed. We need to realise that it contributes to the lack of productivity, mistakes being made or general lack of trust between the students and with the educators. Mostly, we are used to using lingo, slang or jargon that is then, without us realising it would create difficulties for other students from other races. For example, someone not familiar with an expression could easily misinterpret the term that actually doesn’t really mean as what is said. Also some Malay sayings are not interpreted by other races correctly. As when asked to one high school student from Sekolah Menengah Puteri Ampang, Sophia Fatimah, 15, she stated :

“One of my Chinese friends does not understand the Malay saying ‘curi tulang’. She taught that it literally means someone stealing a bone.”

She also states that when her Chinese friend told her that she is her ‘Puhng yao’, she thought that it meant that she was her ‘penyu’, means turtle in Malay. Which is correctly when translated ‘puhng yao’ means friend in Cantonese.

Turning to another pupil from primary school, SK Puteri Pandan (1), Shana Norhazian, 11, she said that :

“I was jokingly telling my Indian friend to ‘berambus’. She asked me back what is the meaning of ‘berambus’? I told her it is like saying to go away. In which she thought, that it means broom or ‘penyapu’ in Malay.”

The case study shows that even now, the problems faced are still the same as it is in the past. Be it in high school or primary. It is not saying that they do not want to learn, but they are not given the needed exposure to do so.

2.3       Religion Differences

“The Prophet (S.A.W) said, ‘No baby is born but was born in a state of pure and clean nature of sin.  Then the parents who will make them Jews or Christians or Magian’
[Hadith Riwayat Bukhari]”

Muslims parents always concern about who their kids mingle with. They afraid that if the kids mingle with Christians, they might be Christianised by their friends. So does other religion. This misconceptions always leads to conflict in classroom. Parents are preventing their kids to study together which then leads to uncooperative lifestyle.

Children came to school with many negative attitudes toward and misconceptions about other races ethnic groups and beliefs. (Aboud, 2009; Stephen & Vogt, 2004). Henceforth, if it is not properly managed, religious differences can become a source of conflict and tension for the students in one community or school.

2.4       Curriculum Pedagogy Implementations

Multicultural education emerged from the diverse courses, programs, and practices that educational institutions devised to respond to the demands, needs, and aspirations of the various groups. (Banks, McGee. C, 2010).  Multicultural educations is always to be misunderstood as a “Subject” rather than a process to be embedded into the curriculum pedagogy

2.5       Conflict of Interest within The Education Staff

Speaking of the truth, how many of us don’t want our race to be much superior then the others. These views always sometime create a conflict of interest within the educational system including the staff. Human Resources will hire only their “kind” to be the educator. Student Recruitment will allow more of their race into the institutions instead of giving the equal chances to the eligible candidates.

 How do we recruit or train our educators when they are faced with these kind of problems or conflict?  Are they sincere in admitting the equality of everyone is as the same? Or just being hypocritical just for the sake of upholding the philosophy? Educators are dealing with all of the perspectives, basics cultural assumptions and references of the cultural frame. How are these to be done?

3.0     Suggestions / Solutions

3.1       Overcoming Cultural Barriers

The idea is to implement, in school, the teaching on understanding the other cultures that is out there, as a cross-cultural experience. This is not only for the students but for fellow educators as well. In order for students to understand the social living conditions of other groups or races, they will need to learn about the culture and beliefs of the other groups or races. Therefore it can be implemented by organizing different activities and program with the cooperation of the PTA’s. Not only depending solely on history subject taught in school.

Activities that are conducted needs to create more opportunities and rooms for our children to mingle and socialize with their friends from different race and religion. As the words of our Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, our current Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, ‘all school’s need to take their own initiative in conducting certain programmes in fostering coherency, tolerance and diversity between their students’.

It should be done duly in all school activities and at all times and not just half way in order for the culture and practice to be adopted and continue. Be it in sports activities or academically, interjections must be based on the elements of coherence and diversity within the composition of the participants.

3.2       Removing the Language Barriers

Language barriers are a common challenge in multicultural education. It is nevertheless a two way process. As stated in the NEP, the goals are to produce individuals that are able to contribute to harmony socially and for the nation. Therefore having to understand what are being conveyed is important for good communication and to build up self-confidence in students. Educators need to have an approach to make these students understand what they are teaching so that they won’t be left out from education and won’t shy away from asking questions should they do not understand what is being taught. Educators need to be more sensitive to what they are saying and to enunciate clearly. Avoiding idioms is best. But if idioms are used, be sure to explain back to the students the actual meaning, so that they won’t be interpreting it wrongly. Constantly ask for clarifications should the students understand what educators are conveying rather than going on with the topic and assuming that all of them understands. This is important, for students to catch up on their education and understand on what they are learning. Always or try to be specific on topics taught, so that it won’t be confused by the students. Most importantly, be patient. We must not expect that the students understand you at the same ease when we are communicating with our own race. Educational institute must provide courses for educators to learn a second language that is specified for the needs of teaching multicultural students. Because, language is the main core in any education and itself depends on communication and on verbal coding of human knowledge.

3.3       Apprehending Religion Differences

Being the main religion and beliefs in Malaysia, Islam is also used as guidelines in upholding norms and or regulations in the country. But even if Islam is the main religion, still our respected government are not discriminating or belittling other religions that are practiced by its citizens. Therefore as stated in the NEP, “based on a firm belief in and devotion to God”. It is normal when students in one educational institute came in with fixed ideas on their own beliefs and how they see other religions. The way to tackle this is to engage in a dialogue. This is necessary although difficult, because we need the students to open up and to accept the positive side of other religions. It takes a lot of courage to do this but, when we see the students open up their thoughts, it means or demonstrate a shift of attitude. Another way is demonstrating the common values among all the religion so that the students will learn to appreciate it. For an example, made by Fr. Jamal Khader, Chairperson of the Department of Religious Studies, and Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Bethlehem University when he wrote an article for Common Ground News Service (CGNews) on “Overcoming Religious Prejudices Through Education” in 13 December 2011.

“When I ask my students, for example, to tell me what they like in the Gospel (which they read in the first week), some find it difficult to answer. So I rephrase my question: what do you find in the Gospel that will make you a better Muslim? This allows them to feel more relaxed and seek out elements of the Gospel that they like.”

(paragraph 6, line 6)

“Although, the section on Judaism is limited, we feel that the course tries to promote the common values of all three religions and that the students learn to appreciate Judaism as the first monotheistic religion or as the Muslim students put it: the first heavenly religion”

(paragraph 9, line 4)

Also as said by (Hackman 2005; Oakes & Lipton 2003; Sleeter 2001)

“Critical reflection and dialogue encourages self-interrogation and questioning of institutional practices that continue to suppress human potential”

So, even though a student might still believe that their own culture is still superior, but still there will be an understanding that other students will have the same thoughts in thinking that their own believes are superior as well. It is important that educators knows the positive way to tackle these problems and not being prejudice on either sides so that students can be more relax when dealing with issues of religion and they will want to take it positively.

3.5       Assimilate Multicultural Education in the Curriculum Pedagogy

Multicultural education has incorrectly been viewed as merely curriculum reform that involves the addition of content regarding diverse groups. It is, in fact, more comprehensive than this limited conception and is characterized by five dimensions: (Banks, 2004).

1)      Content integration

It is the way on how the educators use content and examples from different cultures to show the concepts principle and theories in accordance to the subject that they are trying to teach. The content must be complete and accurate and also acknowledging the perspective of all ethnics or races. Most importantly the content that are to be delivered must be free of prejudices, biases.

2)      Knowledge construction process

This is a way of educating the students by having them giving their own opportunities in forming their own opinion or interpretations of one subject with a different perspective from the usual literature. 

The first process is contribution approach. In this approach the focus is on inserting ethnic heroes, holidays and other discrete cultural artifacts into the curriculum (Banks, 1988). At this stage, educators will go beyond heroes, holidays or other cultural activities by adding substantial material and knowledge about what are being raised. This is the easiest step and commonly used in schools. This can lead into forming a surface of basic information into understanding of other cultures. The second approach is the additive approach. This approach is to add in the all of information’s on ethnic contents, themes and perspective into the curriculum but still having the basic structures of the curriculum unchanged. Educators may have a reading session on classical books on other ethnicity or races, but not only merely reading the content, but having them discussing on the topic or book that they are reading. The next one is the social action approach. This approach deals with important social issues, such as racism and sexism. It is to be addressed as part of the curriculum. All ideas and perspective from the students are brought forward as for their learning experience. It is not only limited to text books but also alongside with the media are given to the students to explore and discussed. The next step is the transformation approach. Transformation approach will have to be in restructuring or changing all that are in the curriculum, the perspective and the goals. By doing this, educators will be able to provide the students on viewing concepts, issues and also outcome from the eyes of the ‘other’ group of people. The educators will put in new material with the current framework of knowledge in order to provide the students new levels of comprehension based from a much more accurate and complete curriculum.

3)      Reduction of Prejudice

How to reduce prejudice for the ultimate aim of helping the students develop democratic attitudes, values and behaviours are by intercultural curriculum. Having them have positive contact with members of other race can reduce prejudice.

4)      Equity Pedagogy

This involves strategies and environment to help students from diverse ethnic, cultural groups and race to attain need knowledge and skills for them to create a democratic humane society. Equity pedagogy is abandoning the traditional environment of a classroom and also teaching strategies. By giving way to the students, the teachers are to eliminate the authority that they have. In this new environment, the student produces the knowledge. Implementation of this pedagogy, the students will learn on constructing their own knowledge on how they understand of the world around them and not only memorizing facts.

5)      Empowerment of School and Social Structure.

Occurrence of when the transformation of the school structure to enable or allow students from all diversity to experience the sense of empowerment and equality.

For the students to feel empowered, school must be reformed through change in the curriculum and testing procedures, as well as change in the actions and attitudes of teachers and administrators (Banks, 1993b).

From the above, henceforth, teaching and training techniques are and must be designed to help learners have multicultural competence and preparing them to have the ability of facing the multiple facets of multiculturalism. Honouring diversity must be included in the curriculum. The goal of it is to not see diversity as an expected uniformity but also desirable.

3.6       Removing the Conflict of Interest within the Educational Staff.

Educational staffs are the pillars in realising multicultural education. For that matter, it is important that they undergo appropriate training for further development of teaching, knowledge skills and attitudes when they are put to the task of educating multicultural students.

“Education courses for early childhood personnel should have elements in both content and delivery that address diversity of cultures” (Verma 2003).

 Educators must take a responsive approach in teaching these children. To help them understand how their actions might later may it be consciously or not on social inequalities in the society. This approach will help develop children self-conscious awareness in relation to society their surroundings. It is also vital that educators have the values of understanding ann to appreciate humanity, cultures and the natural environment interdependence. They must always practice mutual respect on whatever differences or qualities of other races besides their own. They must always acknowledge diversity as way of knowing not only ways of being. 

4.0     Conclusion

Multicultural education should be given an in depth research in order for it to make it in the Malaysian market. Lots need to be done. The Ministry of Education should be taking on initiative in ensuring that the school through the teachers and also the PTA’s is out there carrying out their role. In realising the goals to continue using educational institute as the best platform to encourage the spirit of coherence amongst our children’s, the role of primary and secondary school will need to be refine. Shortly there must be continuity between primary school to high school in order for the education to be carried on and not be abandoned half way. Primary school for example, need to focus more on the basics because primary school are the first place that our children go to when they are put out into the unfamiliar world besides their home and these are the place where they mingle with other races other than theirs. Therefore this opportunity needs to be benefited fully by the schools through programmes or activities that can build up their spirit of coherence between each other. So, it is important that fellow educators have the elements of creativity that can transform the way to respect one another and to accept other friends from different race or religion  as an exciting activity during class. If this is successful, then the continuance towards high school, empowering the understanding about way of respect and toleration between race and religion would be assisted. Children's nowadays are smart. Therefore educators will need to create a refine way for them to continue understanding and appreciate the spirit of national coherence.

The truth is Malaysia has been experiencing great achievement with the reason of the unity between all of its citizens from all races. It is with our biggest hope that it shall be continued on by our future leaders.

5.0     References

1)      Banks, J.A. (1984). Multicultural education and its critics: Britain and the United States. (In J.A. Banks (Ed.), Race, culture, and education: The selected works of James A.Banks (pp. 181-190). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.)

2)      Banks, J. (1993). Approaches to multicultural curriculum reform. In J. Banks and C. Banks (Eds.), Multicultural education: Issues and perspectives. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

3)      Aldridge, J., Calhoun, C. & Aman, R. (2000). 15 Misconceptions About Multicultural Education. Reprinted from Focus on Elementary, 12(3).

4)      McIntosh, P. (2000). Interactive phases of personal and curricular re-vision with regard to race. In G. Shin and P. Gorski (Eds.), Multicultural resource series: Professional development for educators. Washington, D.C.: National Education Association

5)      Banks, J. (1994). An introduction to multicultural education. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

6)      Verma, G. K. (2003). Ethnic Diversity and Multicultural Education: Cross-cutting issues and concepts. Proceedings of The International Conference on Globalization and Multicultural Perspectives in Education, Penang, Malaysia, 3-4 Dec. 2003

7)      Ch.2 of Bryan Wilson, ed., Education, Equality and Society, London, 1975

8)      Banks, J. A. (2004). Multicultural education: Historical development, dimensions, and practice. In J. A. Banks, & et al. (Eds.), Handbook of research on multicultural education (2^nd ed. , pp. 3-29). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. 

9)      Banks, James. A. and Cherry A. McGee Banks (Eds.). Handbook of Research on Multicultural Education (1995).

10)   Pastor Richard Bucher, Th.D. Why we baptize babies? (The case for infant baptism)   [http://www.orlutheran.com/trinfbap.html]

11)   Jayaram, V. Hinduism and the belief in rebirth, 2010. [http://www.hinduwebsite.com/reincarnation.asp]

12)  Noor Mohamed S.M; Harian Metro, Article on ‘Sekolah semai benih Perpaduan’. 8^th March, 2012 issue

health and physical

1.0     Introduction

Food is the most important resource for our body, it provides us energy. Not only that, it also helps our body develop, and grow. Healthy eating means eating a variety of foods that give the nutrients we need to maintain our health, feel good, and to have energy. These nutrients include protein, carbohydrates, fat, water, vitamins, and minerals. Nutrition is important for everyone. But we need to have a healthy eating pattern in order to maintain our good health and well-being. It is a lifetime benefit of good health and well-being if we were to maintain healthy eating patterns. Healthy eating should start from childhood. Most research shows that most adults that are obese began from an overweight child.

Physical activities are also important for growing healthy and for development. It also plays an important role in the well-being, quality of life and health of the students. Having regular physical activities during childhood helps develops bone density, cardiovascular fitness and their strength. Benefits from being active physically, can prevent chronic diseases later in life. Also, if routine physical activities are done it can prevent children from becoming obese.

Since the 1980’s, lesson has been conducted through our curriculum in the subject “Pendidikan Jasmani dan Kesihatan”. In this subject, students were taught on healthy eating and how to perform physical activity. These two subjects are a must to be bounded together. Physical education needs to be taught in order for the students in boosting their development. It is through physical activities that children learn on how to stay fit and healthy. Besides having their body healthy, it also helps their brain to function efficiently. When the brains functions efficiently, therefore, the students will be able to think better and decreases stress. Physical education also benefits the children socially and psychologically. In a social way was when during the activities are conducted; students will be amongst groups of other students and perhaps from other races will help them attain friends. Having healthy relationship with other people will help us understand and respects their cultures and beliefs.

As stated on how it is important to have healthy eating and physical activities to be conducted side by side, where else better to start than in school, be it primary or secondary.

2.0     Analysis on current dietary habits and physical activity behaviours in SKPP(1)

An interview and observation was made with the cooperation of Puan Azizah bt Ayub, Senior Assistant of Student Affairs in Sekolah Kebangsaan Puteri Pandan (1). When asked on how are the eating habits of the students in the school, she said, observation from  her side are that, during recess, 80% of the students will buy their food from the school canteen whilst the other 20% brings home cooked food. For students that came early from home will usually take their breakfast at the school canteen. After school, for students that are picked up late either by parents or by their school transport, will buy snacks from the school canteen. She further explains that, most of the students here will bring pocket money of at least RM3 to RM5 per day. But, there are students who do not take their meals at school even during recess. When they are asked why, the answer is just they don’t have the appetite.

The students in the school prefers eating hotdogs, nuggets and French fries rather than the usual ‘kuih – muih’ consisting of curry puff, ‘pau’ and ‘seri muka’ that are sold by the school canteen. During recess, when observed, the students mostly will opt for ‘nasi lemak’ and ‘laksa’. The school canteen does sell ‘rojak buah’, ‘bihun sup’ and ‘mee goreng’.

Puan Azizah added that, the school does sell fruits at one time, but it is not a favourite between the students. So eventually, they stop selling them. But then, she asks them to substitute it with fruit drinks in order for the students to get the needed nutrition.

That is the reason why, most of the food sold, consists of what the students prefer to eat and not what they should eat.

The students during recessed, when observed does the normal activities children do. Skipping, playing games such as skipping rope, ‘tukar tiang’ and ‘teng-teng’. Puan Azizah said that the school conducts their own co-curricular activities in order to keep the children active. They will also have their co-curricular activities every Wednesday after school. Participation from the students are gratifying. Besides that, they will have “Pendidikan Jasmani dan Pendidikan Kesihatan” twice a week during lesson.

3.0     Current implementation of health and physical education in SKPP (1)

Puan Azizah explained when asked what are the implementations that are done in the school to promote healthy eating and for the students to be active in physical activities, she said that good eating habits and physical education is inserted inside the curriculum itself, ‘Proses PNP’. As referred to one KBSR text book for Year 5, there are a topic that covers on good eating habits.  Puan Azizah further explains, that the school will held a “Program 3K’ once a year. The program is an overall programme that covers the topics on health, hygiene and safety. During the held programme, they will invite lecturers from outside to give talks to the students on ingestion and on good eating habits. They will also have another programme that is done once every week. That is “Slot Keselamatan Makanan. This slot started in 2011, and the main purpose is to inform the students on what kinds of food that is safe to take. This is another effort by the government, Puan Azizah added in ensuring that the students are well aware of the food that they are taking each day, what are the goodness and also the downside of it. It also teaches the students on food poisoning and why does it occurs. For this slot, the government has provided a booklet “Nota Keselamatan Makanan” [Appendix A] on what the school should talk about each time this slot is held. The school also has an implementation schedule on healthy eating habits. The purpose is to ensure that instructions on the schedule is implemented and followed religiously throughout all the individuals in the school.

Our government has been putting efforts in promoting healthy eating in schools and setting out guidelines on how the school should implement healthy eating. The Ministry of Health has published several books on guidelines for the school to follow. Such as “Panduan Nilai Kalori 200 jenis makanan”, “Garis Panduan Pelaksanaan Program Vitamin 1Malaysia di Sekolah Rendah” and “Pengurusan Kantin di Sekolah”.

No exception for SKPP (1), Puan Azizah implemented healthy eating through these guidelines that are given by the government. “Panduan Nilai Kalori 200 jenis makanan” [Appendix B] is to advice the teachers on what and how much calories there are in different kinds of food. Also, the booklet also gives the advantages to both teachers and students on what kind of food intake that they should have that is not high in calories. From these guidelines, both teachers and students will be able to assess on their own the amount of calories on what they are eating. Furthermore, with this guideline, the school will be able to prepare proper menu that ought to be served for the students in the school.

Besides that, there are guidelines on 15 types of food that are not to be sold at school and the list of 70 types of food that are limited to be sold in school.

“Pengurusan Kantin di Sekolah” is another guideline given by the government. The purpose is to manage the cleanliness of the canteen be it on the foods or the premise itself. Puan Azizah received the new booklet on these guidelines on 18 January 2012. Besides that, Puan Azizah added the school also puts up posters all around the school about eating healthy and the goodness of it and also on the school bulletin board on health information.

When asked how and what are the roles of the teachers in the school in implementing healthy eating habits for the students, she explained that they implement it through curriculum during class schedule on “Pendidikan Jasmani dan Kesihatan”.

Back to physical education done in the school, the only implementation done is during PE lessons and on Wednesday’s during the after school’s co-curricular session.

4.0     Strength and weaknesses on the implementations done

As observed, the implementation done by the school is appropriate. Steps given by the government are followed and delivered to the students in accordance to the guidelines. But the methods done even if it is by routine, the subject are not stressed out and a child has the tendency to quickly forget. The method of having posters on school walls and put up on bulletin board is good but how often do you see a student stop to just read the notice and posters? Also, when observed at the canteen, food sold there some of them are listed under the list of food that are not encourage to be sold to students in school. Even as said by Puan Azizah, the food sold at the canteen is monitored by the school but it is not emphasized thoroughly to the canteen operators. What is seen is that, they are likely to sell food items that are profitable to them without the concern of what the children are supposed to eat. It is a good thing that the school also has an implementation schedule on good eating habits but even if the schedule is done accordingly but not emphasized, and then the goal is not achieved. The implementation is handled only by the HEM herself, maybe due to the amount of students of only 260 people [Appendix C]. Therefore the goal cannot be fully grasp. Proper documentation is not available, as the school only implement it through booklets given by the government. On the physical activity side, intensively done only on Wednesday during their co-curricular activities and during the school’s 1 Student 1 Sport session or on any other day that the students has their 30 minutes to 1 hour lesson of PE is the only physical activities that are implemented in the school. The 1 Student 1 Sport policies [Appendix D] that was implemented in schools, by the government is to be conducted alongside the normal co-curricular activities that are currently executed. This is to ensure that all school children to be active and participating in sports. The school has organized a committee for these purposes and had prepared a schedule on what is to be followed when the activity is conducted [Appendix E & F] During these sessions, the school teaches the students on the basic movement of sport games in order to develop student’s motor skill towards the game also physical activities taught in school are according to the student’s capability and age. This is to help the students acquire the needed skills to be used in any sports activity or in their daily routine throughout their life. For example teaching the students to throw balls in groups in various ways teaches them the very basic movements in volleyball or netball. Another example such as having the students walk from one end to another while balancing beanbag on their heads, is teaching them to balance their walk either for gymnastics. As in gymnastics, they will need to know on how to balance their body on a balance beam.

5.0     Suggestions on strengthening the implementation into promoting healthy eating and physical activities.

In order to promote healthy eating the school needs to take extra effort and time to emphasize the needed information and strategies to students, teachers and also canteen operators. First off they will need to set up a menu according to the food pyramid for the student as well as to make it profitable for the canteen operators. Focus more in choosing food that are rich in nutrients. Always encouraged the students to choose food that are healthy for them, such as, colourful vegetables, fruits to be substituted as snacks rather than candies and chocolates, food with less fat and sugar or to drink milk rather than drinking cordial drinks. Another way is to try using positive approach by telling the students that all kind of food can meet the needs of a balance diet. There is no good food or bad food. The key to healthy eating is in choosing and intakes of food moderately. Teach them on how to eat healthy in a simple way, for example having yogurts or milk can help in strong bone development or tell them that by eating carrots can help your eyes see well in the dark.

The current implementation is correct and what needed is to emphasize on the subject. The school need to have more talks and seminars not only within the students of the school but also together with the cooperation of the PTA, to invite parents to join in the talk. This is to make the parents aware of what healthy eating habits are and what it does on the physical growth of their child. Another way is to have a student teacher talk, where the school accommodates one period of time for the teachers to give out information’s and teaches them in depth on healthy eating rather than just relying on the subject of HE that is there in the text book. The school can also call in professional athletes to come in and give talks on benefits of physical activities and how it can be sculptured to be as a career.

The school can also make time for a field trip for the students to project school such as to “Sekolah Sukan Bukit Jalil” to show them the benefits of healthy eating combined with physical activities. They can make field trips to Institut Sukan Negara, where they can visit Sports Nutrition Centre. This centre provides nutrition service to national athletes including nutrition assessment, by visiting the centre; the children can catch a glimpse of what and how the athletes consume in order to be at the optimum level of health.

On the physical activity side, the school focus on the 1 Student 1 Sport policy is a good step towards good health for the students, but the time is short and after school, most children will be tired after long day of school since morning. What the school can do is to make time in the morning for 10 – 30 minutes twice or thrice a week just to have a simple aerobics or exercise to freshen up the students besides just having PE lessons that are in the syllabus.

Schools are to have a canteen committee that consists of school teachers including canteen operators’ need to play their role in upholding the trust of making sure that healthy food are served to the students with the District Education Department monitoring that they abide to the regulations provided. 

6.0     Conclusion

When combined with being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight by eating well is an excellent way to help our body stay strong and healthy. In physical activities, all ages and abilities have a range of benefits offered as part of living a healthy lifestyle. The Ministry of Health, from time to time has been putting in effort on finding all sorts of latest methods and approach to organizing health promotion including conducting campaigns on living healthy that is more society friendly together with having active participation in all of activities conducted in order to sculpt a healthy and active citizens. Therefore as a medium, educational institute, with the help of teachers and parents will need to realize this vision. Children has the tendency to follow what the adults do, so, in order to set up good examples, we have to learn and make use of what is in healthy eating and to do physical activities as a routine in our daily lives.







REFERENCES
Nutrition, Physical Activity & Obesity: School Health Guidelines to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activities. (http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/npao/strategies.htm) 

Buku Panduan 1 Murid 1 Sukan, downloaded from (http://www.moe.gov.my) on 16th March 2012
Nota Peringatan Keselamatan Makanan downloaded from (http://fsq.moh.gov.my) on 16th March 2012.
Panduan Nilai Kalori Jenis Makanan downloaded from (http://www.moe.gov.my) on 16th March 2012.
Puan Azizah binti Ayub (GPK HEM) Sekolah Kebangsaan Puteri Pandan 1, Kuala Lumpur, interview conducted on 7th March, 2012 at 12.30 p.m.
Puan Som binti Bohdin (GB) Sekolah kebangsaan Puteri Pandan 1, Kuala Lumpur, interview conducted on 7th March, 2012 at 1.20 p.m.
Puan Sa’diah binti Hj. Ismail (GPK KO-KU) Sekolah Kebangsaan Puteri Pandan 1, Kuala Lumpur, interview conducted on 7th March at 1.40 p.m.