Industry perspective on journalism education curriculum in Malaysia
Purpose - This study investigated media and communication practitioners’ perspectives on the journalism education curriculum in Malaysia. Curriculum plays an important role in providing quality education for students. Journalism is a dynamic field that integrates industrial experience and fundam...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
Universiti Utara Malaysia Press
2018
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/71145/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/71145/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/71145/1/71145_INDUSTRY%20PERSPECTIVE%20ON%20JOURNALISM_article.pdf http://irep.iium.edu.my/71145/2/71145_INDUSTRY%20PERSPECTIVE%20ON%20JOURNALISM_scopus.pdf |
| Summary: | Purpose - This study investigated media and communication
practitioners’ perspectives on the journalism education curriculum
in Malaysia. Curriculum plays an important role in providing quality
education for students. Journalism is a dynamic field that integrates
industrial experience and fundamental knowledge in the field from
higher educational institutions. Scholars in the field are divided on
the issue of whether it is important for academia to consider input
from industrial players in shaping the curriculum on journalism
education in higher institutions of learning.
Methodology - Drawing from the researchers’ experiences and
guidelines from the Malaysian Qualifications Agency, the Taba
Model was adapted as the theoretical framework for the study. The
study used a semi-structured interview method. Fifteen experts
were interviewed. They have served more than 10 years in the
media industry and have held various executive positions. The
interview protocol was developed based on the literature review and
guidelines from the curriculum review of Communication and Media
Studies. The interviews were conducted at the offices or homes of
interviewees. Each interview ranged from 1 to 2 hours. The data was
analysed using thematic analysis.
Findings - The findings revealed four main themes, namely 1)
Strong general knowledge requirement, 2) the right skills matter, 3)
Received: 13 December 2017 Accepted: 1 May 2018
150 Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction: Vol. 15 (No. 1) June 2018: 149-172
Interest in the field – ability to adapt and learn, and 4) Specialised
knowledge. The analysis of interviews indicated that curriculum
needs to be revised based on academic convention and industrial
needs.
Significance - These findings lend further support to the clarion call
for industry and academia to collaborate extensively in nurturing
high quality graduates in journalism.
Keywords: Communication and media, curriculum, industry,
graduates, model. |
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