For Balance, Fidelity & Mobility: The Challenges Ahead for the Military Academy of Malaysia

(paper presented at the International Conference on Distance & e-Learning ; 4-5 January 2006; UiTM)

Jowati binti Juhary

Abstract

This conceptual paper aims to examine the future use of technology particularly e-learning and simulations at the Military Academy of Malaysia (MAM). The MAM is a unique academy that awards professional degrees and military rank simultaneously. Since its inception in 1995, the main issue raised by the academics is the quality of the graduates. Only one student graduated with first class honours from 1999-2004 and only 15.9% (104 out of 656 graduates) have graduated with upper second class degrees within the same period. One suggestion to improve the grades of the students is by implementing e-learning and simulation as part of the curriculum. At the same time, as most leading Malaysian higher learning institutions are busy implementing technologies in their teaching and learning process, the MAM does not want to be left behind. However, before implementing technology, issues like balance, fidelity and mobility need to be considered carefully. In this paper balance refers to whether academic and military performance are given the same amount of attention; fidelity refers to the commitment of the management and faculty as well as the students in the process of teaching and learning and mobility refers to the ability of the faculty and students to manipulate the technology to suit their teaching and learning priorities. This paper hopes to evaluate the opinions and options for the MAM in dealing with future technology use.

Keywords: The Military Academy of Malaysia, e-learning and simulations, military institutions, fidelity, mobility, balance