Enhancing Malay Language Education: Usability Evaluation of the Kia ArPoly Kit for Malay Figurative Compound Nouns

Abstract

The creation and evaluation of instructional tools are vital for improving the quality of education. This research assesses the usability of a newly developed instructional aid called the "Kia ArPoly Kit" for teaching Malay figurative compound nouns. Despite the availability of various instructional aids, their usability is often overlooked, leading to inefficiencies and decreased user satisfaction. The main objective of this study is to gauge the effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction of the instructional aid and provide insights for further enhancements. The study comprises three phases: needs analysis, design and development, and usability evaluation. Usability testing, conducted through questionnaires with eight Malay Language Expert Teachers, formed the basis of the third phase. The evaluation focused on four key constructs: usefulness, ease of use, ease of learning, and user satisfaction. The results of the usability assessment demonstrate the high effectiveness and efficiency of the instructional aid kit. Specifically, 87.5% of respondents acknowledged the kit's contribution to helping teachers achieve teaching objectives more efficiently, while 90% found it easy to use and 88.3% expressed overall satisfaction. Furthermore, the kit was found to facilitate effective classroom activity management (90%), save preparation time (87.5%), and align with existing curriculum standards (92.5%). The research's key findings suggest that the instructional aid kit significantly enhances the teaching and learning process of Malay figurative compound nouns. The feedback obtained emphasizes the kit's strengths, including its user-friendliness and practical application in classroom settings. Moreover, the study offers valuable suggestions for further improvement, ensuring that the kit meets the evolving needs of both educators and students. These findings highlight the potential for broader applications of similar instructional aids in language education.