This book represents a collection of papers that relate to the challenges and problems posed by the ever-changing and diversified nature of today’s classroom. The papers discuss and demonstrate methodologies and learning strategies, and in the process, recommend effective practices that are practical and open to adaptation for different teaching and learning contexts. They range from suggestions on how to exploit information technology resources to individual or specific case studies. These case studies report on a variety of contextual issues and problems that are specified to particular learning contexts. This book, therefore, thus not only offers examples of tried and tested teaching strategies but also offers useful insights into specific sociocultural problems that are experienced by learners as well as teachers and interested stakeholders in particular settings and countries. The papers offer a comprehensive documentation of past as well as present problems faced by teachers, policy makers and students, and discuss ways and strategies of overcoming such problems such that the teaching and learning process is not only enhanced but made more meaningful and fulfilling to both teachers and learners. The inherently global perspective of the papers in this book makes it an enriching compendium.

This book reflects an exceptional collection of articles, literature reviews and research finding primarily linked to curriculum and material development activities. The book covers various aspects from the theoretical frameworks and research findings that govern curriculum and material development processes to actual classroom practices that incorporated learners’ needs and contexts. Articles and research findings selected and presented in this book are primarily based on practicing school teachers’ interest. In addition to its wide coverage in terms of topics and contents, the book authors and contributors are from both local and abroad. This is intended for university students, curriculum planners, teachers, school administrators and teacher trainers that serve as guide for courses in language material design and curriculum and instruction.

In recent years, information and communication technologies (ICTs) have gained significant importance and become vital to the operations of both organizations and individuals. However, there are numerous factors that have affected the adoption of ICTs including access and accessibility barriers, political participation, and social empowerment. This has attracted the attention of researchers who are interested in understanding the socioeconomic influences of ICT adoption and how these technologies impact the infrastructure of modern organizational activities. Recent Developments in Individual and Organizational Adoption of ICTs is a collection of innovative research on the methods of organizational and infrastructural advancement through the application of information and communication technologies. While highlighting topics including internet banking, supply chain management, and e-government services, this book is ideally designed for managers, researchers, policymakers, politicians, business practitioners, educators, decision scientists, strategists, and students seeking current research on the socioeconomic impact of ICT adoption.

There have been numerous debates and discussions on the use of ICT in education, especially in English language teaching and learning. In this book, readers will find it meaningful to further revisit and re-evaluate the existing practices of ICT use for teaching-learning of English. The main aims of this book are addressing some of the critical issues in the research and practices of ICT use for English language teaching and learning in South East Asia (SEA), and discerning the wide range and extent of ICT use in different English language classrooms, where ICT serves as a mediating tool for the facilitation process of teaching and learning. These aims are guided, and then supported by the pedagogical considerations and implications that are underscored as a result of the examination of ICT use and integration in the contexts. This publication would be among the first in terms of examining ICT and English language teaching and learning in the overall SEA context, whereby there are opportunities for readers to learn from different contexts and different countries.

This book addresses the problems and possibilities of English language education in Southeast Asia from the point-of-view of researchers who are themselves also English language teachers. The researchers are from Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and New Zealand. The articles in this edited book examine teaching and language learning goals in relation to the desired development of linguistic knowledge. More importantly, the articles also reflect on the nurturing of appropriate learning abilities and independent thinking that is framed by the expanding learner awareness of identity, culture, and society within and beyond the classroom. Ultimately, the book tackles issues that emerge from the fact that we teach and learn English in a region that is hugely multicultural and multilingual.

This book deals with local knowledge as a valuable source of practical solutions to enhance the sustainability of modern life. It is an eclectic collection of papers written in English that explores various aspects of indigenous, local knowledge in the Asia-Pacific region. Encompassing the gamut of human sciences: performance, dance, literature, arts and craft, architecture, local traditions, religious knowledge, teaching and learning, traditional conservation and healing practices. This book will add on to publication to make local knowledge, especially from the Malay world, accessible to a global non-specialist (read non-anthropologist) readership. The editors have intentionally chosen to classify the topics to embody the transdisciplinary nature of knowledge in this region.

In order to sustain quality in education, students' and teachers' skills and competencies must be continuously enhanced. We cannot be complacent with the skills and competencies that we currently possess. Not only must we seek to enhance them, we must also learn to use them in new situations. We may even need new skills and competencies to keep up with new developments, technologies and challenges. This book is a compilation of selected papers presented at the National Conference of Skills and Competencies in Education 2008. Generally these papers may be divided into two groups: English language skills and competencies and instructional strategies in developing students' skills and competencies. The book features in-depth discourses by various academic members on issues, challenges and new trends pertaining to skills and competencies learnt, gained and taught in today's education. It is hoped that the publication of this book will boost interest and promote further studies among educators and researchers in the development of skills and competencies in education. Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia