Volume 8, number 2, December 2020
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Item Video Recorded Presentations (VRP) and their impact on students’ learning : a mixed method research on blended mode programs at MNU(Research Development Office, The Maldives National University, 2020-12) Mumthaz, FathimathAccommodating technology and flexibility in distance education have been part of higher education in the last decade at several higher education institutions of the Maldives. Blending technology in teaching and learning has increased higher education opportunities across the Maldives. This study was conducted to explore the impact of Video Recorded Presentations (VRP) on students’ learning when used as an assessment tool for blended learning students of the Maldives National University(MNU). Adopting a mixed method approach, the study was conducted among students involved in blended learning, who had submitted assessments using VRP. Lecturers from MNU who assessed the VRP contributed to the study by adding their observation on students’ learning from the videos. The students were chosen among learners who submitted assessments using VRP from July 2017 to the end of 2018. Both groups, students and lecturers, expressed that the use of VRP as an assessment tool increased student’s confidence in their presentation skills and provided the opportunity to self-evaluate and submit the best performances. Although there were challenges in VRP recording and submission, students and lecturers found it as a convenient alternative method for in-class presentations that allow useful learning opportunities for blended learners.Item Well-being of the elderly living in Male’, Maldives prevalence and relationship among sociability, loneliness and depression(Research Development Office, The Maldives National University, 2020-12) Abdul Azeez, Zahudha; Imad, Shahla; Suzana, MariyamItem Editorial(Research Development Office, The Maldives National University, 2020-12) Abdul Raheem, RaheemaItem Exploring ethnomathematics in the Maldives : counting and measuring(Research Development Office, The Maldives National University, 2020-12) Adam, Aishath ShehenazEthnomathematics is the study of mathematics that takes into consideration the culture in which mathematics arises. It is a subject that values and recognises the contributions of all cultures to the development of mathematics. The aim of this study was to explore the nature of indigenous thinking in the Maldives with respect to counting and measuring that are found in the Maldivian society and are related to traditional and cultural contexts, so that these ideas can be considered for inclusion in future primary mathematics curricula in the Maldives. The fieldwork and data collection was done in the Maldives. Data was collected through interviews with people who do practical work as part of their everyday life, and informal discussions held with historians, mathematicians, mathematics teachers, teacher educators and mathematics students. In total, 91 interviews and informal discussions were conducted. The study also involved the analysis of documents focussed on finding the sources of mathematics, and mathematics currently used in the Maldives. The data from interviews and document analysis show that counting and measuring are in the Maldivian culture even though people may not identify these as mathematics. Cultural contexts in the Maldivian society where counting and measuring are evident include fishing, boat building, building and construction, agriculture, astronomy and navigation, house work, mat weaving, rope making and toddy collecting. The evidence from informal interviews with historians and mathematicians, and document analysis show that initially Arabia and South Asia (mainly India) influenced Maldivian mathematics, and later the Britain. In conclusion, this study identified the Maldivian mathematical ideas related to counting and measuring thereby arguing that mathematics is not culture free. Mathematics exists in every culture even though the way ideas are expressed and emphasised vary from culture to culture.Item Bilingualism and the medium of instruction(Research Development Office, The Maldives National University, 2020-12) Hameed, HassanThis paper explores Cummin’s dual iceberg metaphor in terms of bilingual proficiency in the Maldivian context and the gradual switch to English-medium instruction. Bilingual education was implemented in the Maldives on the premise that the earlier a student is introduced to a foreign language and the greater is her exposure, the better will be her proficiency in the foreign language. Research on bilingualism contradicts this naïve and intuitive understanding of how a student achieves bilingual proficiency.The paper concludes by briefly outlining the manner in which the switch to the English- medium by policy actors was made and the consequent marginalization of mother tongue.and erosion of societal values.Item Risk communications in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic : the Maldives’ experience(Research Development Office, The Maldives National University, 2020-12) Usman, Thasleema; Moosa, SheenaRisk communication strategies and modalities are at the heart of the pandemic response containment and mitigation. As the pandemic unfolded across the world, a small island country like the Maldives in democratic transition and highly dependent on other economies perceived risks beyond that of health effects to the economic and political spheres. In this context, the multi-media approach adopted in communicating risks and response interventions were effective in building confidence in the national response towards transmission of COVID-19 specific knowledge and prevention behaviour. Despite best efforts, shortcomings were experienced in reaching vulnerable segments such as migrants and persons with disabilities. The prolonged pandemic demands re-focussing risk communication towards empowering institutions for providing low risk modalities for individuals returning to work and daily life with preventive behaviours.Item Salt content of processed food products available in Dh. Kudahuvadhoo, Maldives(Research Development Office, The Maldives National University, 2020-12) Muneer, Aishath; Zoona, Fathimath; Naila, AishathSome of the processed food are junk food which are unhealthy when consumed in excess amount. Commonly used junk food include fast food, chips, candy, gum, sweets, desserts as well as fizzy drinks. These food types consist of salt, sugar, fat and are high in calories. Junk food are easy to make and are easily accessible for consumption making this the main reason people use junk food even though it is not healthy. Consumption of salty junk food regularly increases the amount of salt intake which is undesirable for a healthy life. High amount of salt intake increases blood pressure and other adverse effect to health. A market survey at Dh. Kudahuvadhoo grocery shops (5 shops) was conducted. A convenient sampling was used to collect 30 processed food products. Nutritional values of these products were recorded and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2016. The salt levels in the products were compared to that of WHO recommended level of salt (< 5g/day). The highest amount of salt among the 30 items was found in Amexicana flour tortillas (2.6g salts per 100g). Cotton candy had zero amount of salt. The mean value of salt in the 30 types of food products was 0.324 g. The salt content processed food products varied, by types, production company, and the country of the production. Although the amount of salt was less than the WHO recommendation level in the selected junk food, daily meals, and intake in high quantity may lead to exceed the WHO recommended level of salt intake.Item Determinants of socioeconomic experiences during COVID-19 pandemic in the Maldives(Research Development Office, The Maldives National University, 2020-12) Musthafa, Hawwa Shiuna; Riyaz, Aminath; Moosa, Sheena; Abdul Raheem, Raheema; Naeem, Aishath ZeenThis paper evaluates the individual experiences and perceptions of the public about the COVID-19 pandemic in the Maldives. The data was collected from a probability sample comprising 1026 respondents using an online survey. The results show that less than 1% of the respondents tested positive for COVID-19 at the time. The fear of the pandemic, in terms of probable health and economic impact, was significantly higher than the actual experience of the pandemic with 6.8 percent reporting loss of employment. Participants who considered religion as very important show a higher psychological wellbeing. Over 12% of the participants believed that the pandemic to be a hoax. The findings showed inclination of the people lay more towards solidarity rather than hostility during these trying times, with at least one third of the respondents identifying with complete solidarity. The findings provide suggestions for health practitioners to communicate more effectively with the public during the crisis.