Theses (Education)

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A Balanced Approach Towards Teaching the Skills of L2 Reading and Writing to Enhance the Writing Proficiency of Foundation Program Students at Universities in the UAE
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2023-03) ALFARAN, FATHIA HASAN; Dr Tendai Charles
The current study aims to investigate the effectiveness of balancing reading and writing instruction in foundation programs and how that affects learners’ essay writing skills in higher education institutions in the UAE. To achieve this goal, two research questions are formulated to drive the inquiry: What are the foundations program instructors’ perceptions and practices regarding the balance of teaching L2 reading and writing? How does the balance in teaching L2 reading and writing enhance foundation programs learners’ writing performance in higher educational institution in the UAE? In the current study, the mixed methods approach is employed to assess classroom practices to investigate whether there is a balance in teaching reading and writing so as to strengthen the learners’ performance in these two skills; and examines whether these practices improve foundation programs learners’ essay-writing skills in higher education institutions. The quantitative data have been collected from teachers’ questionnaire to answer the first question. The qualitative data have been collected from an experiment that consists of a pre-posttest to answer the research second question. The results of the intervention and the achievement tests, instructors’ questionnaire and interviews revealed that the techniques used in the balanced reading and writing teaching program are suitable for first-year students and can be implemented if the instructors get appropriate training from knowledgeable people.
Academic Leadership for Teaching and Research Development in Higher Education: A Bahraini Case Study
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2016-03) AL-Qallaf, Amal Jasim
The Arabian Gulf countries have witnessed a significant growth and development in higher education provisions and demands since the end of 1980s. The main purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the experiences and roles of academic leadership administrators in higher education in the Kingdom of Bahrain while enhancing teaching and research quality, and investigating the current quality management model used for effective leadership, and what style of leadership best handles the challenges of cultural diversity within Bahraini higher educational organizations especially in their early stages of development in order to reach world standards development. A composite theoretical framework was designed using Bolden, Petrov, and Gosling (2008) academic leadership model, Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner’s (1998) and Branine’s (2011) models of cross-cultural management, Schein’s (2004) model of organizational culture and leadership, Schultz’s (1995) model of organizational culture and Shils’s (2008) academic ethos for teaching and research. The methodology used in this study is a predominantly qualitative and interpretive case study, using mixed methods which included the following: International, regional, national, and organizational document analysis; interviews with Deans, Chairs, and Quality Assurance Authority representatives; a faculty survey; and alumni focus groups. There are two main types of results. The first is empirical, finding that there is a rich potential for research in Bahrain but funding, heavy workloads and more advanced training are the main obstacles, whereas for teaching the strength is in the academics’ quality of teaching but workload is the single most important problem, and for leadership the strength is in the quality of expertise but are constrained by lack of autonomy. The second main result of the study is the development of a more comprehensive, regionally appropriate, and multi-dimensional model for university development that includes: academic leadership and organizational dimensions, the academic ethos elements; the multicultural interactions dimension; the dynamic system Interaction; the integrated model, and the temporal domains/changes and developmental. This model aims to contribute to the development of an academic system that best suits higher education institutions in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
ACCESSIBILITY OF INCLUSIVE PROVISIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES TRANSITIONING INTO HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE UAE: AN INVESTIGATIVE STUDY
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2020-10) Alshehhi, Khawla
Embodying the aspiration of the United Arab Emirates leadership, the vision of the Ministry of Education (MOE), is to ensure quality education for all. To implement the Federal Law 29 of 2006 on the rights of People with Disabilities (PWDs), the MOE launched the “School for All” guideline 2010, under the title “General Rules for the Provision of Special Education Programs and Services for Public and Private Schools.” Transitional services are included in these provisions. This was also declared in the country’s National Policy in 2017 on PWD, currently known as People of Determination (POD). It has been noted that, transitional Services as outlined by the “School for All” guideline do not describe detailed provisions as current international transition practices do, where an Individual Educational Plan (IEP), a summary of performance and required supports are delineated in an exhaustive manner. In contrast, the Quality Standards (QSs) of services for PWDs in governmental and private institutions, issued by the Ministry of Community Development in 2016, introduces a more comprehensive sets of standards for non-specialized institutions to guide provisions for PWDs. For this study, it seemed befitting to explore inclusive provisions in Higher Education through the lens of those QSs. The study aims at investigating inclusive provisions that facilitate transitioning PWDs from high school into HEIs. How inclusive provisions are perceived by PWDs at the opposite ends of a transition, as well as by those who provide these services in high schools and colleges, can point out whether higher education in the UAE is regarded as accessible. This study utilized a sequential mixed methods approach. The 222 participants are from eight high schools and four colleges in the UAE. The qualitative and quantitative data was generated using: documents review, interviews, questionnaire and observation. Statistical analysis and coding of the data revealed themes of PWDs readiness for the journey from high school to higher education highlighting needed provisions that can facilitate their transition to HEIs. The findings point to a “missing link” between secondary and post-secondary education that needs to be urgently addressed for a smoother transition into HEIs. Recommendations serving that purpose are offered. This study contributes to the scant literature considering inclusive higher education in the UAE, and sets a new direction for future research to examine transition services in national post-secondary education.
Adoption and Implementation of Online Learning Systems in Lebanon: Prospects and Barriers
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2018-08) SHAYA, NESSRIN MOHAMMAD
This study aims at obtaining a finer-grained understanding of the primary prospects and barriers to adopt and implement online education systems in Lebanon, through investigating online learning readiness and acceptance among various key stakeholders in higher education. This study started with an assumption that traditional systems govern the processes of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, depriving the nation from the chance to harness the opportunities brought forth by online education. A multiple case study, mixed-methods research design, was conducted on Lebanese higher education students, faculty and senior academic leaders, revealed adequate readiness levels and increased acceptance of online education among students and faculty. Data was collected quantitatively through electronically distributed questionnaires and qualitatively through face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Macro and micro levels of analysis took place using statistical testing methods and thematic analysis led to an emergent status of online education in Lebanon. Operationally, strong e-learning management capacity and institutional readiness distinguished private institutions, while weak technological infrastructure and geographical complexity characterized the public university. Lack of readiness in ministry for abrupt change that online education might cause in pedagogy and instruction surfaced, leading to strategical resistance for full-fledged online programs. Diminished state funding for public university, fears from the mediocrity of ‘no-lecture university’, faculty job relevance, doubts in students’ self-regulation skills and the possible influence of corruption on student enrollment form major barriers. Prospects lie in the consensus that online education can serve as a catalyst for higher education transformative change supported by embracing culture for implementation at postgraduate studies, leading to a proposal on strategic plan for successful implementation. Various statistically tested associations along with sophisticated qualitative stakeholder analysis led to expanding readiness and acceptance models with practical implications for future testing. Limitations were assigned along with valuable and empirical contributions.
An Investigation into the Effectiveness of Corrective Feedback on Written English Accuracy Among Arabic L2 Learners
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2024-06) JUUDE, BINDUU; Dr Tendai Charles
Corrective Feedback (CF) in the second language (L2) Writing is deemed one of the most contentious topics in the field of L2 writing research. Various questions pertaining to the topic are still actively discussed and debated by researchers in the pedagogical landscape. The present study is endeavoring to investigate the effectiveness of direct and indirect CF in treating three recurrent grammatical errors (use of the subject-verb agreement, preposition and definite article) among Intermediate level Arabic L2 learners in the UAE, understand their perceptions regarding the provided CF and comprehend the factors that affect their engagement with the provided CF. Furthermore, the study is designed to examine the short-term and long-term effects of the provided feedback through a quasi-experiment involving four stages of pre-test, immediate post-test, post-test and a delayed post-test spanning 2 months. By way of including a delayed post-test, the researcher intends to find out the retention of the provided feedback in improving writing accuracy. To obtain a holistic perspective, a mixed method approach is chosen and the opted instruments are quasi-experiment, questionnaire and semi-structured interview. Upon analyzing the data, it was observed that the participants treated with direct feedback exhibited significant improvement in the target errors, followed by the indirect feedback group in the quasi-experiment. Moreover, the participants revealed their strong preference for direct feedback in the interviews and the surveys. The obtained results are expected to contribute significantly to the existing literature and aid L2 instructors, learners, policy-makers and other researchers in the field.
An Investigation into the Influence of Culture on Principals’ and Teachers’ Relationships and Practices in Public Secondary Schools in the UAE
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2023-09) ABU-AYASH, YUSEF AHMAD; Professor Abdulai Abukari
As today’s world has become more globalized and interconnected, multicultural work environments have become the norm. However, Leading and/or following in a multicultural work environment can be quite challenging. The lack of knowledge and understanding of the different cultural norms, values and even communication styles can hinder both leaders and followers’ ability to navigate cross-cultural interactions more effectively. It logically follows that in order to have a more successful and productive relationship as well as to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts, it has become imperative for both leaders and followers to learn how influential culture is and how to function in an environment in which differences are likely to be more pronounced than similarities. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of culture on principals and teachers in public secondary schools in the UAE. This purpose was further broken into several objectives: to understand how national culture and organizational culture influence the perception of leadership styles, to understand the influence national culture might have on the relationship between principals and teachers in terms of conflict creation, to understand the influence organizational culture might have on the workplace practices of principals and teachers in terms of conflict resolution, and to understand the influence cultural induction might have on improving the workplace practices of and the relationship between principals and teachers in terms of conflict prevention. The study adopted a mixed method research approach and results revealed that there was a variation in the perception of leadership styles between principals and teachers. While principals perceived their leadership style to be transformational, teachers perceived it to be transactional. This variance in perceptions was found to be stemming more from differences in national culture than in organizational culture. As for national culture influence in terms of conflict creation, results revealed that the influence was evident both directly through manifestations in behaviors and indirectly through language. As for organizational culture influence in terms of conflict resolution, results showed that organizational culture was quite influential in this respect. The same influential role was found to be played by cultural induction in terms of preventing conflict from taking place. In light of the findings of this study, the researcher concluded that future research should consider a larger sample size, a more generalizable sampling technique, and to extend studying the influence of culture on leaders and followers in settings other than educational ones. Furthermore, future research should be well-cognizant of real-self vs. ideal-self for participants. Recommendations to leaders, followers and policy makers were also provided; those included: the importance of designing a more immersive and extended onboarding/induction cultural programs for new joiners who come from different cultures, that future cultural induction programs better be led by school principals themselves in the real work-environment context/school, and that both leaders and followers should be open and welcoming of differences and engage in a life-long cultural learning journey. This study filled in a gap of knowledge concerning the influence of culture on leaders and followers in terms of conflict creation, conflict resolution and conflict prevention, particularly within the UAE public education context. The study also stands out among a limited number of studies that explored the influence of both national and organizational culture on leadership styles perception through examining the perspectives of both leaders and followers, and therefore, paving the way for a single holistic model that accounts for both national and organizational culture (‘Organational’ culture) simultaneously and equally. Lastly, this study expanded the existing literature examining the use, application and interpretation of nation-wide cultural data at the individual level; hence emphasizing the importance of being vigilant and not fall into the trap of ecological fallacy when drawing conclusions.
Arabic as a foreign language (AFL): Northern UAE AFL Teachers’ Perceptions of the Integrated Approach
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2018-04) SALAMEH, WALID
The purpose of this study was to investigate how teachers perceive an integrated approach for students’ communicative competence in Arabic; and whether teachers are receptive to implementing an integrated approach in the TAFL classrooms and if they identify any potential obstacles to implementing an integrated approach at the private universities in the UAE Northern Emirates. The literature reveals that many studies investigated the students’ perceptions towards learning Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) but rarely tackled the teachers’ perceptions in this regard and what communicative Arabic instruction should involve. The design exploited in this study is a mixed methods research in two sequential phases: a quantitative phase followed by a qualitative phase. The source of the quantitative data was a survey adaptation of Arabic Teacher Survey (ATS). It is a 45-item survey of 40 participants. Due to the small size of the population who participated in the study, no significant relationships emerged between teachers’ perceptions of the integrated approach and its influence on communicative competence. In general, a positive perception of using the integrated approach arose as the right way to go about the teaching and learning of Arabic. The qualitative phase consisted of one-on-one interviews with five Arabic teachers to provide a more descriptive analysis of the survey data. The participating teachers’ perceptions of teaching both varieties are to some extent different in the order that they would teach the two varieties despite the fact that they all prefer to implement the integrated approach in their classes. The participants’ attributed the obstacles in the implementation of an integrated approach to the teachers’ mindset, insufficient materials, and choosing which colloquial dialect of Arabic to teach. This study sought to uncover the teachers’ perceptions of the integrated approach and its importance for the TAFL field in promoting the students’ communicative competence. Additionally, the study proposes an instructional design that accommodates the integrated approach besides recommendations for further research. The main purpose is to highlight the value of teaching both MSA and a spoken Arabic variety as the underpinning of communicative competence in Arabic.
Business Leaders’ Perspectives on the Role of Education and the Skillset Required in United Arab Emirates’ Knowledge Economy
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2019-08) Buchler-Eden, Hanna
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is traditionally known for its vast oil reserves and associated wealth, however the Government has accentuated the necessity to transform into a knowledge economy. In order to do so it has reformed its education system with the objective of developing the requisite skills required in a knowledge economy during the formal education period. The purpose of this research is to obtain in-depth understanding of whether senior business leaders of large and medium companies operating in the UAE considered education to be a means of developing a knowledge economy skill set, and if education was important, how successful had it been in enhancing the availability of those skills in the UAE labour market. The initial stage of the thesis was to identify the components of the conceptual framework to answer the research questions, and to assess the progress that the UAE had made towards knowledge economy status, based on established studies and global institutional reports. Mixed methodology was employed to answer the research questions and accomplished by conducting semi-structured interviews with 15 UAE based business leaders, plus a quantitative survey answered by 138 multi-level managers and professionals employed in UAE. The qualitative data was analysed using content analysis, and the survey, was analysed by means of SPSS software. The major findings are that the skills needed for the UAE knowledge economy differed somewhat in ranking from those suggested by previous studies and that the current educational policies, although progress have been made, are not generating sufficient skills to meet labour market demands. The key limitations of the study included a lack of agreed definition of the knowledge economy and the challenge of acquiring robust data from local UAE sources. Several recommendations are made for further study including extending the education framework to embrace early childhood education and university research culture. Furthermore, the organization of a platform for business leaders and education leaders, researchers, policymakers and practitioners to share knowledge and practice, so that the output of skills levels from the education sector could be substantially enhanced.
A Case Study Investigation of Special Needs Inclusion Policy Implementation in three Abu Dhabi Primary Schools In the UAE
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2017-06) NFOR, JACQUI LOTTIN
In the UAE, education has been identified as top priority and the government has taken steps to promote inclusive education to protect the rights of persons with disability, using Law No 29 of 2006, pertaining to the ‘‘Rights of Persons with Special Needs’’ (Ministry of Social Affairs 2006). Based on this law, all young people are afforded equal rights and opportunities (Farouk 2008), which aligns with UNESCO’s Salamanca Convention Framework for Action Statement (1994) to accommodate all children in mainstream schools, regardless of their physical, intellectual, social, or emotional condition. This government policy was to fit in with the proponents of inclusive education which refers to all students, who ‘’irrespective of their strengths or weaknesses, will become part of the school community’’ (Hassan 2008, p.8). This research study adopts a qualitative approach that investigates the implementation of Abu Dhabi Education Council’s (ADEC) special educational needs policy, with inclusion as the guiding platform for this policy. Employing a collective case study investigation, the study evaluates school and HQ staff applying their comprehension of the intricate idea of inclusive practices in school settings. This provides a rich and contextualized view of how these various stakeholders, including mainstream teachers, special needs teachers, principals, and students, perceive its implementation. Research instruments to compile the data for triangulation (Stake 1995; Denzin 1984, 1989), employs qualitative methods that include observations, semi-structured interviews, as well as documentation analysis. The research guiding question is: ‘To what extent is Abu Dhabi Education Council’s Special Educational Needs Policy implemented in practice and what can be done to improve its implementation to support inclusive education in government primary schools in Abu Dhabi ’. In order to effectively answer this question, this research focuses on four areas to evaluate policy impact, namely the curriculum, accessibility, assessment and in-service teacher professional development. These four key areas gives some weight to the study. The investigation targets the culture within five primary schools with reference to their inclusive policies and practices. Also central to the study analysis is employing The Index for Inclusion which is a tool with a set of indicators developed by Booth & Ainscow (2011) to measure the above four areas. Analysis from the themes which emanated from this study reveals that, Abu Dhabi Education Council’s Special Educational Needs Policy is robust, with many positive characteristics that align with similar effective global education policies that support an inclusive learning culture across schools. However, there are still gaps between policy implementation and practice within schools, ranging from a lack of understanding of what the policy entails to effective knowledge of special educational needs practices, as well as continuing professional development. Furthermore, additional research is still needed to gather reliable data to support policy implementation as required by Federal Law on an inclusive educational system, not just within Abu Dhabi Education Council schools, but across schools in the UAE. Insights into the contexts are used to put forward research- based recommendations for future practice which will improve the effectiveness in implementing inclusive practices.
Challenges Facing PBL Implementation in K-12 Schools in Al-Ain
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2021-02) Alhaddad, Yasmine
A significant emphasis is posed by the UAE vision 2021 National Agenda by review of the crucial role of education in the country, which is specifically linked with long term investment in the younger generation and future workforce. A multitude of educators perceives PBL (PBL), as an evolution from the basic methodology of instructive teaching and the prospects represent advancements that can change the underlying framework of the study, undergoing the learning process. This research intends to assess the difficulties of educators and instructors in a K-12 school in implementing the PBL approach and how these difficulties are overcome by the educators and instructors. Moreover, the research also intends to impart knowledge of PBL approach as supplementary for the enactment of 21st Century Skills skills among the students by assessing the views of study participants regarding PBL as facilitating prospect for giving of 21st Century Skills. The primary research methodology was used in the research with open and shut queries, and questionnaires were distributed among study participants. According to study findings, most prominent difficulties identified by the educators or the participants of the study were meeting the states responsibility necessities, time, actualising PBL within K-12 timeline, fitting in the guidelines, and planning the learning experience itself.
Citizenship and National Identity in International Schools in the UAE: A Case Study of Three American Schools in Dubai
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2016-03) Alaryani, Aysha Salmeen
This thesis examines the national identity formation and citizenship development of Emirati students studying in three international high schools in Dubai using an American curriculum. The research questions look at the extent of national identity and citizenship integration in curriculum and activities of these international schools, the role of the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in promoting citizenship and national identity in multi-cultural international schools, and the perception of students, parents, teachers, school administrators and government officials on the role of international schools in promoting national identity and citizenship of Emirati students. The theoretical framework is a combination of three theories that include the important characteristics of the topic: Kymlicka’s (2001) liberal nationalism and cultural nationalism, Layder’s (2006) social and cultural agency theory, and Wells’ (1999) social-cultural learning theory. The literature review examines a number of fields relevant to this topic: conceptions of national identity, citizenship conceptions and education, cultural theories and intercultural learning, general organization cultural theory, cross-cultural literature, international education and internationalization of curriculum. The methodology is an interpretive qualitative study using semi-structured interviews, and document analysis. The results revealed that there is a lack of curriculum and activities integrating Emirati content. There is a general dissatisfaction among Emirati parents and some Emirati students. While some teachers expressed an interest and desire to integrate more Emirati content, the school administrators generally reported that a sufficient amount was being done, and the government agency officials have a different set of priorities. The conclusion chapter provides a number of recommendations for appropriately increasing the integration of UAE content while maintaining a strong international focus.
College Instructors' and Students’ Perceptions, Practices, and Assessment of College Students' Critical Thinking Skills in Writing Courses in the UAE
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2021-03) Al Kafri, Banan
Investigating college English writing instructors and students’ perceptions of effective teaching and assessment methods is of great importance, as it is found that perceptions could highly influence practices of critical thinking. In academic writing courses, the teaching of critical thinking has been even more emphasized as writing activities effectively enhance students’ critical thinking skills. Therefore, the main purpose of this research paper is to investigate how critical thinking is being perceived, practiced, and assessed in college English writing courses. An explanatory mixed methodology has been used. 20 English instructors and 250 students were surveyed using a link for online versions of the teacher and student questionnaires. As for the qualitative part, five classroom observations and six semi-structured interviews were conducted. The findings revealed that college English writing instructors and students have clear and almost similar definitions of critical thinking, yet their perceptions of effective instructional and assessment methods as well as their practices were found to be varied and different. One major mismatch that has been identified between key stakeholders’ perceptions was about the importance of explicit instruction on critical thinking. Based on findings, several recommendations were suggested to policymakers and university administration for more collaborative efforts with instructors to support them in their attempts to teach and assess students’ critical thinking.
A Comparative Analysis of Proficiency Scores of University Students in the United Arab Emirates: The Effectiveness of Using a First Language When Teaching a Second Language in a Reading Class
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2013-10) Traish, Amira
This study, an investigation into the effectiveness of using a learner’s first language (L1) to teach a second language (L2) in reading comprehension classes, focuses on tertiary students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The role of the learner’s L1 in facilitating instruction of an L2 has evoked considerable discussion among linguists and language instructors. Many theorists argue that a student’s L1 contributes to a more successful learning environment and facilitates second language acquisition, particularly with respect to socio-psychological factors such as motivation. The UAE has set guidelines for entrance into English-medium programmes mandating that students attain a 500 in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an average Band 5 in the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS). Because English has risen to near total hegemony in the linguistic/language realm, both students and instructors feel pressure to pass these reading examinations; one-third of the country’s tertiary budget is for first-year students. Because of the importance placed on proficiency scores, this study uses empirical data, comparing test scores of two classes and exploring and examining their differences. One instructor uses a student’s L1 (Arabic) to teach reading in L2, and the other does not. Research questions for this study have employed a mixed methods approach (qualitative and quantitative), which has included assessment data from midterm and proficiency exams as well as a student questionnaire, classroom observations, and interviews. The findings of the study, which indicate negligible differences in overall scores, demonstrate that the pedagogical practice has no significant impact on the scores obtained. However, further study is warranted to accommodate more of the variables that may have affected data outcome. It is hoped that this study will prompt additional interest and research in the field of L1/L2 reading instruction and that further exploration of this topic will facilitate improved reading and academic performance for students both in the UAE and elsewhere.
Competency Preparedness of Baccalaureate Nursing Graduates and Practice Expectations at Entry Level as perceived by the Nursing Personnel and Nursing Leadership of the Hospitals in UAE
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2021-07) ARUL RAJ, ANNIE ROSITA
ABSTRACT Background: The competency readiness of new nursing graduates is a topic that interests nursing professionals in both academic and clinical settings. In the present era, quality health care, patient safety, cost-effectiveness, and satisfaction of the clients and their families are some of the major concerns of healthcare leaders and the top priorities in the strategic plans of their organizations. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to gain insights on the competency preparedness and practice expectations of new graduates among the preceptors and nurse leaders and professional development nurses of hospitals accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC) in UAE. The theoretical framework of the study is formulated by consulting the theories and models such as Patricia Benner’s Novice to Expert theory, The QSEN (Quality and Safety Education for Nurses) competency model, COPA (Competency outcomes and performance assessment) model, Behaviorist learning theory, Constructivist learning theory, and the Conscious competence learning theory. A review of the literature, both regionally and globally, presents the competency preparedness, by various stakeholders but there has been no study, published to date, from the UAE regarding the current and expected level of competency. Design/ Methodology/ Approach: The researcher employed a mixed methodology approach, and within that, a concurrent exploratory approach was adopted to collect data using the Nursing Practice Readiness Tool among 104 nursing personnel of the hospitals. Fifty-six semi-structured interviews were conducted among them, especially the nursing leaders of the hospitals in Abu Dhabi. Results: The quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis indicated the general competency preparedness that is acceptable with gaps in domains such as critical thinking and clinical knowledge and a high level of preparedness in communication and technical skills. Implications: The study has several implications for nursing education, nursing practice setting, and policy in the United Arab Emirates and the region.
The Complexity of Texts Read by Grades 3 to 6 English Learners in Muscat Governorate in Oman
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2020-09) Al-Mamary, Fakhrah
The key to success in reading texts lies in their careful design with progressing levels of complexity that are within the reader’s competence. The selection of these texts that hold the right level of complexity is more critical in initial reading phases because it is during these phases that the stage is set for later reading development. Therefore, understanding the factors that contribute to the complexity of texts in a specific context aids towards establishing a text complexity model. Hence, the current thesis attempts towards developing a new model for the concept of Text Complexity for texts that are read by young EFL learners. The model is the result of the exploration of the factors that affect text complexity and which are related to texts, to readers or to the interplay between texts and readers while reading. The exploration of these factors is grounded on the Interactive View of Reading by Rumelhart (1985) while also attending to other theories and models that indirectly tackle factors related to readers and texts. The factors have been explored using a mixed –methods- approach since conducting text complexity research using quantitative tools only or qualitative tools only holds both strengths and limitations. Hence, under Pragmatism, the researcher was able to conduct the current research within both the positivist and the interpretivist paradigms. The data collection tools included readability formula (Lexile), qualitative judgments of texts, a reading fluency test (WCPM), miscue analysis and interviews. The research was conducted in three government schools in Muscat and it included 32 young learners from grades three, four, five and six. Seventy texts were analyzed quantitatively by Lexile and fifty texts were analyzed qualitatively by twenty educational professionals. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the quantitative data generated from the different research tools. The findings of this research suggest that text complexity is influenced by the text factors, reader factors and factors resulting from the interplay between texts and readers during reading. The text factors include the unsystematic progression, the texts’ linguistic complexity, the limited focus on learning- to –read skills, the books’ layout, and the books’ content. The reader factors include reader’s prior knowledge, the reader’s reading strategies and the reader’s interest. The reader- text factors involve the inadequate level of reading fluency, the inability of readers to select books that match their level and the lack of adequate English language proficiency. The findings of this research have several implications towards a renewed model of text complexity for EFL learners. The findings have also several implications on the policies of authoring, evaluating and selecting texts for young learners of English in Oman in addition to its theoretical and methodological contributions to the research of text complexity in an EFL setting.
Contribution of Clinical Education in Developing Clinical Reasoning Skills of Undergraduate Physiotherapy Students in Preparation for Professional Practice in the United Arab Emirates
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2019-06) RAMAKRISHNAN, SENTHILNATHAN
Clinical reasoning expertise determines the quality of patient care but the process by which clinicians achieve expertise in clinical reasoning is not well documented. Physiotherapists are becoming more and more accountable for their clinical decisions, actions and outcomes. This increase in autonomy and accountability for physiotherapists’ means there is more responsibility on the physiotherapy education settings to focus on development of clinical reasoning skills for physiotherapy graduates. The main purpose of this study was to explore the contribution of clinical education in developing clinical reasoning skills and professional practice readiness among undergraduate physiotherapy students. This research also aimed at finding the factors underlying effective clinical education and the factors affecting development of clinical reasoning skills in order to recommend an appropriate reasoning-based, clinical education model for the UAE context. Though there are several studies available on this phenomenon globally, extensive literature search couldn’t locate studies published locally within the UAE. Theoretical underpinning for this study was primarily drawn from the dual-process theory of clinical reasoning and the experiential learning theory. This study took mixed methods approach that followed the sequential explanatory research design to collect the data from 34 students and 26 clinical educators using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data analysis showed no significant difference in students’ self-assessment of clinical reasoning. In-depth interviews were useful to explore the factors affecting the development of clinical reasoning and the factors underlying effective clinical education. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data collected identified several factors that were mainly intrinsic to the students’ such as the knowledge, skills and experience influencing the development of clinical reasoning skills apart from the effectiveness of clinical education. This study has several implications for undergraduate physiotherapy education, particularly to the clinical education aspects in the United Arab Emirates.
A Critical Analysis of Education in Palestine: Exploring the Challenges of Politicisation
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2018-04) AL RAHL, AHMED MAHMOUD MOHAMMAD
The present study investigated the impact of the socio-political conditions and challenges of the current educational system in Palestine based on Freire’s critical pedagogy theory. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was used to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. Data was primarily collected using questionnaires administered to 1,705 students, 623 teachers, and 611 guardians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data from four political leaders and four educational leaders. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis tests were performed using SPSS while thematic analysis of qualitative data was conducted using NVivo. The study found that complex and dynamic socio-political conditions in Palestine shaped education negatively with the three main factors currently impacting education in Palestine being the Israeli occupation, international governments, and the Palestinian political parties. The study concluded that the nearly 70-year Israeli occupation led to a highly politicised Palestinian society. Specifically, politicisation has had a crippling effect on the Palestinian educational system in terms of curriculum, policies, and operations. The study underlined the role of the Palestinian political and educational leaders as being crucial in mitigating the negative effects. The efforts of political and educational leaders in unifying the nation and exploring independent sources of funding helped to ensure the establishment of a depoliticised national educational system through a neutral administering body. Finally, the study confirmed that despite all the critical challenges, the Palestinian people were able to achieve tangible success and growth in the field of education.
Cross-Cultural Adjustment of Expatriate Academics in Selected Higher Education Institutions in the United Arab Emirates
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2017-05) QUANSAH, DAVID KWAME
This study investigates the cross-cultural adjustment of expatriate academics in selected higher education institutions (HEIs) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The focus is on cross-cultural adjustment across three facets of adjustment: general, work, and social interaction. The study is based on the frameworks of Black et al. (1991), Miller’s (2009) Identity Development Trajectory, and Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner's Seven Dimensions of Culture model (1998). These frameworks are successfully applied through questionnaire and face-to-face interviews. A total of 324 expatriate academics employed in three HEIs in the UAE responded to the questionnaire, and 57 of them participated in face-to-face interviews. The results obtained through this study affirm, to a large extent, the findings of previous studies which are discussed in the literature review. The model devised by Black et al. (1991) is found to be applicable to the cross-cultural adjustment of expatriate academics in HEIs in the UAE. This finding justifies the development of a model that explains the process of cross-cultural adjustment among the expatriate academics. Factors such as gender, family status, language, prior overseas experience, and cross-cultural training are found be the strongest determinants of the expatriates’ cross-cultural adjustment. Anticipatory adjustment significantly contributes to their cross-cultural adjustment. Social adjustment, family-related factors and financial factors are found to be the major contributors to the expatriate academics’ intent to stay longer in the UAE or in the organization. The most important area of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and experiences that were identified by the respondents as the prerequisite for expatriate academics to successfully adjust, consist of the following components; professional, demographic, individual personality, social and intercultural, organization, and country. Most respondents also indicate that their employers have adopted a vi “swim or sink without help” approach with regards to their cross-cultural adjustment. Based on the findings from this research, the researcher has been able to gain more insight into the cross-cultural adjustment of expatriate academics in HEIs in the UAE and the need for HEIs to ensure a smoother cross-cultural adjustment of expatriate academics. Although the purpose of this study is not to generalize, the researcher suggests future research involving host country nationals, students, recruitment specialists, and cross-cultural training specialists or consultants. By expanding the sample size and including various parties or stakeholders including different methodologies for data collection, this topic can be explored further, and the range of issues discussed in this thesis can be expanded.
"Cross-Cultural Analysis of Principals’ Leadership in Elementary Schools: Case Studies of Government Funded Schools in Abu Dhabi "
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2018-08) NASAB, RIHAN MHD RAGHEB
The thesis explores, through an interpretive framework, school leadership practices in Abu Dhabi Emirate and the embedded school leadership model. The Abu Dhabi School Model is derived from the US and is currently being implemented as a new model of school leadership that includes a cross-cultural dimension. This new approach is based on the assumption that the international literature does not adequately capture the cross-cultural domain and cultural factors that influence leadership practices in Abu Dhabi schools. Four theoretical models are used to explore leadership practices in the UAE: Burns’s transforming/transactional leadership theory (1978), Klann’s Good Leadership Model (2007), Branine’s Arab Organisation Model (2011) and Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner’s (2012) Cross-Cultural Model. The methodology adopted is a qualitative hermeneutic approach designed to capture the authentic, subjective meaning of leadership to the participants. Three sources of data were used in understanding the nature of leadership practices in Abu Dhabi schools, interviews with teachers, head teachers, vice principals, principals and cluster managers, school document analysis and material culture observations. Several themes are identified as a result of this study that influence leadership practices: cultural influences, the importance of culture building, cross-cultural influences, leadership style/direction and policy implications. Based on these findings an Emirati model of principal leadership has been developed that includes factors specific to the UAE culture. Further qualitative and quantitative research is recommended to investigate these exploratory findings, which offer a unique cross-cultural perspective as a basis for understanding leadership in UAE schools.
A Cross-Sectional Study on the relation between Teachers' Organizational Commitment to Change and their Acceptance and Use of an LMS in the UAE Applied Technology High Schools
(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2016-02) Ayoub, Shadi
The importance of Learning Management Systems (LMSs) in teaching motivates schools to adopt them. Teachers' ongoing contribution and participation are key in order to realize the value from these systems. However, limited research explains secondary school teachers’ acceptance and use of an LMS worldwide in general and in UAE in particular. It is important to understand the many emotional and behavioural aspects pertaining to teachers’ technology acceptance and their relationship with other factors situated within the school organisation. Many factors were identified that, directly or indirectly, affect teachers' acceptance and use of technology. Another domain that the study used is teachers’ organisational commitment, which is considered very important as it directly relates to many areas in education such as teaching and learning, well-being, and school success. Different key forms of teacher commitment have been identified in research including commitment to the organisation, commitment to student learning, and commitment to the profession. Teacher commitment, in all forms, has been used as an important factor to determine teachers' outcomes. Building on the ideas mentioned above, the study examined relationships among measures of UAE secondary school teachers’ acceptance and use of an LMS and their organisational commitment profile. Three widely cited theoretical models were used namely, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), and the Three-Component Model of Organizational Commitment (TCM). The study used TCM to generate the organizational commitment profiles for teachers assuming a change context due to introducing a new technology. The Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) method was used to generate the teachers’ commitment profiles. The commitment profile was used as a group moderator to assess its effect on technology acceptance, measured as behavioural intention (BI), self-reported use (SRU), and observed frequency of use (FRQ). Commitment profile was also used as a moderator of the different relationships between predictors and BI. Other moderators were also included such as gender, perceived mandatoriness, LMS user type, work experience, and organizational tenure. A total 311 high school teachers from seven schools completed a survey questionnaire. In addition, real usage log data extracted from the system was used to observe actual use of the LMS (FRQ) and to group teachers based on their usage level. The study first investigated which factors affected teachers’ acceptance of the LMS by applying multiple regression analysis using Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method side-by-side with Partial Least Squares (PLS) model. The main predictors of LMS acceptance were: attitude towards using the LMS (ATT), performance expectancy (PE), social influence (SI) and facilitating conditions (FC). Effort expectancy (EE) was of little importance. The observed use of the LMS was significantly predicted by SRU. Then the study tested different moderation effects and found that gender is a significant moderator of the relationship between PE and BI while user type was a strong moderator of the association between FC and SRU. On the other hand, perceived mandatoriness and age were found to be insignificant moderators. Teachers with different organizational commitment profiles were found to have varying levels of BI and SRU. On the other hand, varying commitment profiles did not report different levels of FRQ. Lastly, the study reported marginal effect of the commitment profile as a moderator when interacted with other factors such as gender, perceived mandatoriness, user type, and work experience. The overall findings in UAE context has implications for theory and practice.

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