This study aims to evaluate the learning characteristics of students using a matrix framework of learning approaches (MFLA) in a Malaysian public university. A survey form based on Biggs's study process questionnaire (SPQ) was distributed to a total of 350 students. This study employed a descriptive correlation research design to address the research objectives. The findings revealed that Malaysian students are prone to applying the achieving approach in their studies. The achieving approach is the most preferable learning characteristic. The results also indicated that four of the nine hypothetical learning approaches exist, two of which are positive in nature. As a result, a proposed teaching method based on the MFLA was introduced to suit the needs of these major learning characteristics among students.
Heavy metal contamination in water bodies is currently in an area of greater concern due to the adverse effects on human health. Despite the good adsorption performance of biochar, various modifications have been performed on the pristine biochar to further enhance its adsorption capability, at the same time overcome the difficulty of particles separation and mitigate the secondary pollution issues. In this review, the feasibility of chitosan-modified magnetic biochar for heavy metal removal from aqueous solution is evaluated by critically analysing existing research. The effective strategies that applied to introduce chitosan and magnetic substances into the biochar matrix are systematically reviewed. The physicochemical changes of the modified-biochar composite are expounded in terms of surface morphology, pore properties, specific surface area, surface functional groups and electromagnetism. The detailed information regarding the adsorption performances of various modified biochar towards different heavy metals and their respective underlying mechanisms are studied in-depth. The current review also analyses the kinetic and isotherm models that dominated the adsorption process and summarizes the common models that fitted well to most of the experimental adsorption data. Moreover, the operating parameters that affect the adsorption process which include solution pH, temperature, initial metal concentration, adsorbent dosage, contact time and the effect of interfering ions are explored. This review also outlines the stability of modified biochar and their regeneration rate after cycles of heavy metal removal process. Lastly, constructive suggestions on the future trends and directions are provided for better research and development of chitosan-modified magnetic biochar.