Learning contract: New approach in assessing and evaluating students' co-curricular activities

Abstract

Co-curricular or extra-curricular activities are an integral part of knowledge in supporting students' generic skills development in order to become quality human capital. In general, the co-curricular activities in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Malaysia are of similar fields. However, the institutions have their own way to assess and evaluate the students' involvements in these activities. In relation to this, as of 2010/2011 academic session, the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) has implemented a more flexible approach whereby student are given more freedom at choosing, creating and carrying out the activities based on a learning contract which are drawn out and agreed upon by the students and supervisors prior to the implementation of the said activities. A survey was conducted in order to determine the level of knowledge and understanding among students in relation to the learning contract and their readiness to use the learning contract in their next co-curricular activities. A set of questionnaire was developed and used as a research tool for that purposes. A total of 51 respondents were selected from Training for Trainers (TOT) workshop to participate in this survey. The study found that the level of understanding (mean = 4.06-4.16) and acceptance (mean = 4.02-4.46) on co-curricular activities learning contract among students are excellent. It was also reported that 86% of the students have clear knowledge about the learning contract and its implementation for co-curricular activities. The majority of students stated that they had achieved all the learning contract principles (mean = 3.92-4.25) and learning outcomes (mean = 4.00-4.18) required. In general, this research showed positive results on the implementation of learning contract in co-curricular activities in the UKM. The new approach to implementing and assessing co-curricular activities has already been accepted by most UKM students. Nevertheless, in order to achieve the optimum results, continuous steps should be taken by the respective parties to ensure that the students are well informed about the status of the learning contract. © Medwell Journals, 2012.