The World of Computer Science and Information Technology Journal

8

Authors: Nor Hasbiah Ubaidullah, Jamilah Hamid, Aslina Saad, Sairabanu Omar Khan

In learning geography, most students have problems in a particular topic, which deals with the calculation of the local time based on a given longitude. This problem is further compounded when some of the teachers lack the necessary learning aids to help solve the problem. Against this backdrop, the authors carried out a study to examine prevailing problems in the learning of this particular topic. A qualitative research method was used involving a semi-structured interview. Four teachers (who were selected from a secondary school in Perak, Malaysia) were recruited as the interviewees. Findings of the research showed that existing teaching approach was ineffective as calculating the required local time was tedious. Moreover, the interviewees professed a strong need for a new approach, which could ease the calculating process. Together, these two important findings underscore the imperative to introduce a new teaching approach, preferably aided by a novel application, which can help geography teachers explain the calculation process more effectively. In this paper, the authors propose an instructional design model for the intended application to guide the development of such a learning too.