Theses for Doctor of Philosophy in Education
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Item The Role of School Leaders In Supporting Inclusive Educational Practices through Continuous Professional Developments: A Study among Selected Primary Schools in Abu Dhabi(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2024-05) ALARYANI, MANAL; Dr Solomon DavidEnsuring inclusive education practices for students with disabilities in mainstream schools poses significant challenges for school leaders. Despite legal frameworks emphasising inclusion, some leaders struggle to effectively integrate and accommodate these students due to a lack of clear approaches and professional development. This study investigated the role of school leaders in supporting inclusive educational practices through continuous professional development (CPD) in selected primary schools in Abu Dhabi. The rationale lies in the pivotal role school leaders play in implementing inclusive education, making it crucial to understand their perspectives and challenges. CPD training emerges as a key tool to equip leaders with strategies for promoting inclusive practices, aligning with evolving global trends. The study drew from leadership theories highlighting leaders’ influence in fostering inclusive cultures and Rabin’s foundational concepts emphasising meaningful learning, social interaction and student empowerment for effective inclusive practices. A sequential mixed-methods design involving document analysis, surveys (n=163 participants) and focus groups captured quantitative and qualitative data from leaders, teachers and parents. While indicating overall support for inclusion, the study revealed concerns about teacher qualifications, resource availability and implementation gaps across schools. Effective leadership practices, collaboration and cultural sensitivity emerged as critical factors. Policy implications underscore the need for refining inclusive education guidelines. Leadership training is crucial for creating inclusive environments. Professional development should empower educators with inclusive teaching strategies. Recommendations include specialised leadership programmes, ongoing teacher training, collaborative planning, equitable resource allocation and promoting cultural understanding through training to enhance inclusive practices. This comprehensive study offers insights into the multifaceted challenges of inclusive education and the pivotal role of school leaders. The recommendations serve as a roadmap for stakeholders to foster more inclusive learning environments through collaborative efforts, continuous improvement and a nuanced understanding of the complex educational landscape.Item The Impact of Cognitive Ability Testing on Students with Special Education Needs and Disabilities in Primary Schools in Dubai and Sharjah(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2024-06) SAWALHA, OMAIMA SAMI; Professor Eman GaadThis research aims to investigate the effects of administering cognitive ability tests on students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in primary schools in Dubai and Sharjah. It is hoped that the findings can support the improvement of assessing the needs of students with SEND. Additionally, the study seeks to examine the extent of access to cognitive ability tests by students with various diverse needs. A mixed-research method approach has been followed. The quantitative data collection included conducting a survey among 215 respondents, parents, and teachers, while the qualitative data collection was conducted via interviews among 16 inclusive school leaders, specialists, and teachers within Dubai and Sharjah. A systematic review of the literature was also conducted. The findings entailed that cognitive ability testing has positive impacts on identifying the needs of students with SEND. The results indicate that cognitive ability tests can enhance the academic performance of students with SEND. This research suggests enhancing assessment practices and refining cognitive ability testing procedures and accessibility to ensure they effectively measure the diverse needs and abilities of students with SEND. Additionally, the study recommends a set of possible measures to make the best use of the findings of such tests to enhance and maximize the learning experience for students with SEND.Item Instructors’ and Students’ Perceptions of Clinical Evaluation Programmes of Nursing Colleges in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2024-05) DAGAMSEH, MOHAMMAD SUHAIL; Professor Abdulai AbukariThis study investigates the perceptions of clinical evaluation programmes (CEPs) among nursing students and instructors in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the crucial role these programmes play in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in nursing education. Clinical evaluation is essential for preparing nursing students to meet the demands of real-world healthcare settings. Quantitative results from surveys involving 301 students and 69 instructors showed that students rated their satisfaction with CEPs at an average score of 3.26, while instructors gave them a slightly higher score of 3.50, indicating overall positive perceptions. Despite these positive scores, both students and instructors noted significant challenges in the current evaluation processes. Qualitative data, derived from semi-structured interviews, revealed concerns about the inconsistency of evaluation tools, the subjectivity of assessments, and the gap between the skills taught in the classroom and those required in clinical settings. Students often felt underprepared for real-world clinical situations, while instructors faced difficulties in ensuring fair and objective evaluations across different clinical environments. Both groups recommended the standardization of evaluation tools and methods, increased support and training for clinical instructors, and enhanced communication between instructors and students to ensure more reliable feedback and assessments. The study suggests that implementing evidence-based, standardized evaluation practices, alongside robust training programmes for clinical instructors, will enhance the effectiveness of CEPs and better prepare nursing graduates to meet the evolving challenges of the healthcare sector. Keywords: Clinical Evaluation Programmes (CEPs), Nursing Education, Perceptions of Students and Instructors.Item An Analysis of the Relationships & Views Among the Big Five Personality Traits and Kolb’s Learning Approaches in Higher Education Students in Dubai, UAE(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2024-05) ALAMEEN, MOHAMMED ADNAN; Professor Christopher HillIn this study, the interplay between personality traits and learning approaches among higher education students in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is explored, using the Big Five Personality Traits and Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory as theoretical frameworks. Conducted at a renowned semi-governmental institution, this mixed-methods research utilized quantitative surveys with 186 students and qualitative interviews with 19 students. Quantitative data were analysed to identify correlations between personality traits (Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism) and learning approaches (learning modes: Concrete Experience, Reflective Observation, Abstract Conceptualization, and Active Experimentation; and learning styles: Accommodating, Assimilating, Diverging, and Converging). Qualitative interviews provided deeper insights into these relationships. Major quantitative findings indicated significant correlations between traits like Agreeableness and Openness with Active Experimentation and Reflective Observation learning modes, as well as Conscientiousness with Abstract Conceptualization and Concrete Experience modes. Qualitative data revealed that students with high Agreeableness and Openness preferred reflective and experiential learning activities, while those with high Conscientiousness thrived in structured and conceptual tasks. These insights highlight the potential for personalized teaching strategies. These results suggest that incorporating personality traits into educational settings can optimize learning outcomes by aligning teaching methods with students’ learning preferences. The study emphasizes the necessity for further research across various educational settings to validate and expand upon these findings, aiming to enhance educational effectiveness through tailored pedagogical approaches.Item Investigating Perceptions and Practice of Teacher Leadership in Somaliland’s Public Primary Schools(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2024-09) HUSSEIN, HINDA JIRDEH; Professor Abdulai AbukariSomaliland is facing mounting pressure to improve its education system. As a rule, the development of the education system of a country depends on a strong and reliable investment in teacher development. The country implemented a number of reforms as part of the Education Sector Strategies over the last ten years (2012-2016; 2017-2021), coinciding with the National Development Plans I and II of the corresponding periods, respectively. The main purpose of this study is to examine the perceptions and practice of teacher leadership in primary public schools. The study focuses on nine primary public schools in the city of Hargeisa in Somaliland. This study’s theoretical framework was based on distributed leadership, transformational leadership and symbolic leadership. The main data collection methods used in these sequential explanatory mixed methods included teacher leadership school survey (TLSS), document review of national education development strategies, and semi-structured interviews of selected teachers and principals. The most important finding of this study is that teachers take on teacher leadership roles inside and outside the classroom. Most teachers identified these roles as beneficial to their schools, though overwhelming for teachers as they lack training, resources and time. Furthermore, teachers have a low level of perception about the system’s commitment to teacher leadership and development due to lack of adequate voice in influencing educational policy and decision-making.Item 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 CharlesCorrective 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.Item Perceptions and Implementation of Online English Programmes in Higher Education in Oman(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2024-01) ALHINDDASI, NASSER ABDULLAH; Dr Emad A.S. Abu-AyyashThe current study investigates the teachers’ and students’ perceptions and implementations of online English Programs in Higher Education in Oman. The study attempts to answer the following research questions: 1-What are the EFL teachers’ perceptions of online practices in Higher Education in Oman?, 2-Are there any differences between EFL teachers’ perceptions of English online practices attributed to the gender?, 3-Are there any differences between EFL teachers’ perceptions of online education attributed to their online experiences?, 4-What are the students’ perceptions of their online practices in Higher Education in Oman? , 5-Are there any differences between students’ perceptions of English online practices related to the gender? ,6-Are there any differences between students’ perceptions of English online practices attributed to their online experiences? 7-What challenges are there -if any- that are encountered in the implementation of online English Language programs in Higher Education? The study adopts the explanatory sequential mixed methods approach in which the first phase is the quantitative part that involves administrating questionnaires to the participants to identify their perceptions and implementations of their online experiences. After completing the first phase and analyzing the obtained data, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 EFL teachers to get in -depth understanding of the quantitative data. The results revealed that teachers’ perceptions of online practices are very positive. The study also revealed that there weren’t any significant differences in the teachers’ online experience that are attributed to their gender or online experience. Furthermore, the results revealed that students were neutral-uncertain- about their online experience. Also, the results showed that male students perceived the online experience more positive than the female students and there were no significant differences between the participants that could be attributed to their previous online experience. Regarding the challenges the participants faced, the study identified some social, technological, and pedagogical challenges. Further results, pedagogical implications and recommendations were outlined and hold insightful indications to policy makers and teachers in the context of higher education in Oman.Item Explanatory Sequential Study of Teachers’ and Students’ Perceptions of Inclusion Provisions for Students with ASD in High Schools in Dubai(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2024-05) ALSHUAIBAT, SUHA MOHAMMAD; Professor Eman GaadThis research provides an explanatory sequential analysis of teachers’ and students’ perceptions concerning the inclusion of students with ASD in private high schools located in Dubai. The method used is a combination of surveys and interviews, which allows the researcher to investigate teachers' and students’ perceptions of inclusion policies, which act as support mechanisms as well as determines the resources utilised. The results also show that there is a huge deviation between the teachers' experience and training in accommodating students with ASD for inclusion, though challenges such as resource constraints and a lack of supportive structures are anticipated. The study reveals the difference in interpreting inclusion policies according to teachers’ level of experience and special training which supports professional development that targets these problems appropriately. On the other hand, it shows from a very positive point of view how inclusion can be easily achieved in all kinds of materials if teachers and peers help out with their participatory efforts. The study focuses on the importance of powerful teaching strategies and a receptive learning space for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as practical experience, to improve teachers’ efficacy in inclusive education. Increasing the approach to inclusive classroom practices, emphasising individualised education plans for ASD students and improving communication between peers and teachers are some of the recommendations that can be made. This research makes important contributions to the understanding of inclusive education policies and practices for ASD students in Dubai, showing how, despite their efforts some reform is still needed.Item Perceptions and Practices Related to Twice-Exceptional Learners in K-12 American Private Schools in Dubai(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2024-01) FAKIH, MIRNA KHALIL; Professor Eman GaadRecent studies have shown a gap in the literature about twice-exceptional learners, which has led to a lack of awareness and different perceptions among stakeholders due to the comorbidity they possess. The UAE is indomitable towards earning the first class in education, which is incarnated in its ‘Golden Jubilee" and the new vision of 2030, especially educating learners with SEND. Therefore, holistic efforts exerted by KHDA have been witnessed in 2017 by amending the inclusive education policy across the UAE nation, along with “the National Policy for Empowering People of Determination." However, the Ministry of Education and Dubai Inclusive Education policy framework have not recognized "twice-exceptional learners" as an individual category who, from equity and social justice, deserve all rights to be fairly educated, yet they have been marginalized in inclusive settings, hence the significance of this study. This study aimed to investigate perceptions, practices, and awareness about twice-exceptional learners in K–12 American private schools in Dubai, with a great focus on the kindergarten phase as a starting point in which issues related to identification, support, and provision constitute a great challenge. Additionally, the contribution of twice-exceptional learners’ parents and their reflections about their challenges and experiences with their twice-exceptional children have been an important factor that has added great value to this study. A concurrent parallel mixed method design was employed in the study; quantitative data was collected using a questionnaire to survey K–12 teachers; qualitative data was collected using semi-structured interviews with stakeholders; observations of twice-exceptional learners in mainstream classrooms,and document analysis of policies, guidelines, frameworks, and schools’ documents. Quantitative data have been analyzed using SPSS, and qualitative data have been analyzed using thematic analysis. Results of the study have revealed that stakeholders and K–12 teachers have shown different perceptions, experiences, and low levels of awareness towards the education of twice-exceptional learners due to many factors and challenges. The recommendations from this study emphasize future improvement through establishing a comprehensive K–12 policy framework specially designed to shape the education of 2e learners, provide continuous professional development for K–12 teachers, and increase the quality of provision in mainstream settings. This study will provide future suggestions for governmental entities and private schools to reform their inclusion policies and guidelines to meet the individual needs of 2E learners, in addition to its contribution to the literature for its uniqueness through changing the perceptions of stakeholders and enhancing their awareness about twice-exceptional learners in American private schools in Dubai, in higher education, in other Emirates, and other countries.Item The Impact of Feedback for Lesson Observation on Improving Teacher Performance: A Study among Teachers and School Leaders at Selected Public Schools in Abu Dhabi(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2023-11) SHEHAB, AMAL SHAIKH ALAWI; Dr Solomon DavidGiving constructive feedback is an essential skill that school leaders should have to help teachers develop and improve their teaching efficiency. This study aims to investigate the impact of feedback by school leaders in enhancing teaching performance from school leaders’ and teachers’ perspectives in selected public sector schools in Abu Dhabi. The main research question of the study probe: What is the impact of administrative feedback by school leaders in enhancing the teaching performance of teachers? The review of central concepts, theories, and related studies indicated that a constructive strategy for feedback focusing on teaching and learning for teachers is critical for achieving reforms and gaols of an education system. The current research was inspired by the research works of authors Balyera & Özcanb 2020, Cioppa 2020 and Alhosani 2015 associated with the present subject of the study. The study adopts a sequential explanatory mixed methods design articulated in three phases: The first phase was a quantitative process followed by a qualitative process. A survey method followed by semi-structured interviews and focus group discussion (FGD) method were used for data collection. Purposive sampling was used during the course of this investigation. 119 teachers and 17 school leaders participated in the survey process, and 10 teachers and four school leaders participated in the interview process. In addition to that, 6 participants were included in the FGD. The findings indicated that taking into account all of the components of constructive feedback (usefulness, accuracy, credibility, access to resources, responsiveness) is the most effective way to provide feedback and significantly impacts teachers' performance. These findings demonstrate a twofold advantage of assessment and feedback for teachers personally and for improving their teaching, which should be noted by policy makers, school leaders, school principals, and instructors. The findings of the current research work are limited to Abu Dhabi with a mixed research methodology based on the diverse sample of teachers and school leaders, irrespective of their cultural backgrounds. It is suggested for future research work to consider multiple aspects, including feedback that may affect the performance of teachers in different research settings. In the current study, it is asserted that feedback must be frequent and conducted several times during the school year, formal and informal, and focused on teaching methods and student behaviour rather than the teacher's personality. Performance improvement is only achievable if feedback is timely and accurate.Item English Language Instructors’ and Students’ Perceptions and Practices of Integrating Educational Technology into Vocabulary Instruction(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2023-09) ALKHAZRAJI, MUWFQ ASMAA; Dr Emad Abu-AyyashIn spite of the growing interest in integrating educational technology into vocabulary instruction to develop vocabulary teaching and learning in recent years, some important areas in such integration have still not been identified and researched. As such, the current study covered these areas by investigating the perceptions and practices of English as a second language (ESL) instructors and students about integrating educational applications (apps) into vocabulary instruction. The research was framed by the social constructivist theory, the technology acceptance model, the cognitive theory of multimedia learning, the semantics theory and the four strands model. The mixed-method approach (questionnaires, interviews and observation) was adopted for ESL instructors and students by applying the explanatory sequential mixed methods design. A total of 106 ESL instructors who taught in ten private universities in the United Arab Emirates, and 461 students who studied the English language as a mandatory course in the same universities participated in this study. The results of this study showed that ESL instructors’ and students’ perceptions were positive regarding integrating educational apps into vocabulary instruction. In addition, their perceptions influenced their practice of integrating educational apps into vocabulary instruction. Some essential findings were revealed: A) the integration improved vocabulary teaching and modelling by ESL instructors; B) it developed vocabulary learning in terms of the cognitive, psychomotor and affective aspects; C) improved speaking skill and formative assessment were neglected by some ESL instructors; D) ESL instructors and students faced some difficulties while implementing this integration; and E) some demographic variables for ESL instructors and students influenced their perceptions about the integration, causing differences in their views. These results produced some implications for practice, linguistics, policymakers, theory and methodology. Some recommendations suggest more opportunities for future studies. Keywords: educational apps, vocabulary instruction, perceptions, practice.Item 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 CharlesThe 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.Item The Conceptualization, Perceptions, and Practice of Positive Education in University Student Accessibility Departments(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2023-05) KARAKI, SUHA; Professor Eman GaadRecent studies have started moving the focus of academic contexts from mere achievement to the emphasis on wellbeing and positive psychology. Schools and universities are the main setting where students are prepared for their future, flourish and develop both mentally and academically. The field of education is witnessing a move towards a positive education model that encompasses skills students need in their life and the real world. The model enables learners to: become more aware of their abilities and self-worth, understand the need to be more engaged with themselves and others, and develop an ability to improve on the psychological and academic levels. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is striving towards implementing a positive education model and positions education as a key element in measuring the nation’s success. It is aiming to be the happiest country in the world; accordingly, the government and its educational entities are launching positive education and mental health initiatives, networks and workshops. More importantly, the UAE is prioritizing its fully inclusive educational system that accentuates the need for right-based education and learner support. To that end, educational policies emphasize that students of all educational needs are taking an integral part in teaching and learning and are being prepared for a future of achievement and wellbeing. With the UAE underlining inclusive education and positive education, this study aims at investigating: 1) how positive education is conceptualized and implemented in student accessibility departments at a federal university in the UAE, 2) what the perceptions of relevant stakeholders are about positive education, and 3) what model/framework can be proposed to better comprehend and implement positive education. An exploratory sequential mixed-method approach was utilized through the use of triangulation and by means of: document analysis, observations, interviews, surveys and focus groups. The PERMA model which underlines positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning and accomplishment was used as the conceptual framework. Data analysis showed that although these five elements are prevalent in the accessibility department efforts, there is still a need for this positive education model to be institutionalized and documented to promote practical implementation and sustainability. This is further supported by literature that states that in spite of the increasing attention toward the growth of positive education, there is still a need to: understand how they are to be implemented in inclusive higher education settings, and to incorporate this educational framework in a more systematic and overt manner. This emphasizes the significance of this study, since it provides suggestions for a relevant framework that can be used in student accessibility departments in higher education through uncovering conceptualization, practice and perceptions of positive education.Item 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 AbukariAs 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.Item The Effects of Dynamic Assessment and its Mediating Factors on EFL Twelfth Graders’ Grammar Achievement in the UAE(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2023-11) ELMTINY, ABDELHAMID AHMED KHALIL; Dr Emad A.S. Abu-AyyashThe present study investigates the effects of dynamic assessment (DA) and its mediating factors on EFL twelve graders’ grammar achievement in a private school in Dubai, UAE. The study attempts to answer the following research questions: 1) What are the effects of implementing DA versus non-dynamic assessment (NDA) on the grammatical achievement of EFL twelve graders?, 2) What effects does DA have on the level of performance of EFL twelve graders’ grammar achievement?, 3) What effects does DA have on the proficiency level of EFL twelve graders’ grammar achievement? and 4) What are the views of EFL twelve graders with regard to their grammar achievement when DA is implemented? The study adopts the explanatory sequential mixed-methods research approach. The first part is the quantitative phase, which involves implementing the quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design to collect quantitative data to examine the overall impact of DA versus NDA on learners’ grammar achievement levels. It also examines DA’s effects on EFL twelve graders’ performance and proficiency levels. However, the second part is the qualitative phase, where data have been collected using semi-structured interviews to explore EFL twelve graders’ views regarding their grammar achievement when DA is implemented. In order to achieve the purposes of the study, 140 participants have been selected using convenience sampling for the quantitative phase of the study, and 20 participants, representing the low and high achievers of the advanced and the general proficiency levels, have been chosen using purposive sampling for the qualitative phase of the study. While quantitative data have been analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, two-way ANOVA, and post-hoc multiple comparisons, qualitative data have been analyzed using thematic analysis. Based on the results of the study, there is a significant effect of DA on the level of grammar achievement for EFL twelve graders for the experimental group that has undertaken the DA intervention compared to the NDA group. This indicates how learners of the experimental DA group have improved their grammar achievement more effectively than their peers of the control NDA group. The results also demonstrate a statistically significant difference in the level of grammar achievement among learners of the three levels of performance in which low-achieving learners have improved their grammar achievement substantially better than their counterparts of the average and high-performance learners who have undertaken the DA intervention. In addition, the results of the study point out that there is a statistically significant effect on the proficiency level for EFL twelve graders in the experimental and control groups, which means that the impact of DA on grammar achievement is higher for participants of the advanced proficiency level than it is for participants of the general proficiency level. The qualitative findings have indicated that most learners have positive views and prefer DA over NDA methods due to their engaging, communicative, supportive and comfortable nature. Moreover, the qualitative findings have resulted in some themes pertaining to (1) learners’ awareness and understanding of DA, (2) learners’ involvement in DA interactions, (3) the most effective DA interaction techniques, (4) learners’ general positive feelings towards DA, (5) learners’ positive views towards DA, (6) the role of DA in developing learners’ cognitive abilities, (7) diagnosing and improving learners’ weaknesses using DA, (8) learners’ challenges during the implementation of DA, (9) general drawbacks related to the use of DA in EFL classrooms, (10) the usefulness of DA in dealing with specific grammar rules, (11) learners’ preference of DA over NDA to be implemented in their future examinations, (12) learners’ recommendation of integrating DA into the English curriculum, and (13) learners’ views on how to improve the use of DA in EFL classrooms. Finally, the pedagogical and theoretical implications of implementing DA in EFL classrooms have been outlined.Item The Perceptions of Science Teachers and Students with Learning Difficulties in Improving and Developing Science Learning in Middle Stage of Private Schools in Dubai(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2023-06) ALSADOON, MUNA; Professor Sufian ForawiStudies have shown that one of the biggest barriers preventing students with LD from receiving instructions in fully comprehensive learning environments is that general education teachers lack the necessary skills to adequately reinforce this group of students in that setting. The environment may have an impact on how the material is presented, how students are encouraged to respond (for example, in writing, reading, or speaking), the environment's physical features, and how instruction is scheduled and organized. According to research studies, there are a variety of strategies that should be used when instructing science to students with LD, including the use of technology, which is a useful tool for connecting these students to science curriculum materials, guided science inquiry instructions, and note-taking techniques. Therefore, this research study aimed to investigate 1. science teachers’ perceptions and practices in developing and improving science learning of students with LD and 2. these students’ perceptions toward science learning in middle stage of private schools in Dubai beside 3. the other factors that might affect the students with LD to develop science learning such as parents’ academic qualification and school’s curriculum. Directed by social cognitive theory, social model of disability, Adelman Model of Learning Disabilities, and Fox’s Personal Learning Theories. An explanatory sequential mixed method design was used in this research study, including a science teacher’s questionnaire responded by 156 science teachers, students with LD questionnaire that responded by 110 students of this group, and a semi-structured interview with science teachers. Further, using document analysis to collect more evidence that reflects the science teacher’s practices. The results revealed that there is a positive perceptions of science teachers to develop science learning of this group of students in their science classes and they use the most known strategies and practices related to science learning to make the learning process more effective, but, this effort and potential have been done by their own and the field lacks a guidance and coordination among other stakeholders to direct these positive perceptions. On another hand, the students with LD have low to moderate interest in science learning which might be due to the complicated structure of the science topics. It is highly recommended for the researchers to enlarge the constructs of the study to include the whole country and compare results among the emirates. Key Words: Science Learning- Teacher Perceptions- Learning DifficultiesItem An Exploration of the Bystander Impact on Primary Students during Cooperative Group Work in the United Arab Emirates Schools(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2022-05) SHEIKH, NORA NOURThe study is based on a mixed-method analysis of the bystander effect impact on primary students working in cooperative group work in the context of the United Arab Emirates. Nowadays, education has changed and drifted from standard teaching to online with the restrictions of social distancing. The reason behind this is the COVID-19 pandemic. The literature review clearly shows the facets that influence the students’ behaviour while working in groups—moreover, the challenges faced by the primary students and how to avoid and overcome those challenges resulting in avoiding the bystander effect. The research methodology section delivers proper strategies and design to conduct the research. The researcher used two tools in this study, the survey for students in upper primary to answer and the interview for the teachers. The data findings and analysis section clearly represent data gathered from the students all over the Emirates focusing on Dubai. The information collected from the students’ questionnaire is interpreted and analysed through SPSS software and provides deep analysis. The data gathered for the interview is examined with the support of the qualitative data analysis technique. The research study is significant as it covers the bystander effect on primary students, providing recommendations for future and further researchItem Investigating the perceptions of undergraduate nursing students of their clinical learning experience and readiness for clinical practice in the UAE context.(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2023-02) MAALOUF, IMADA supportive clinical practice environment is crucial to improve nursing students’ engagement in clinical practice and enhance both their clinical skills and satisfaction with their learning experiences. The purpose of this study is to investigate undergraduate nursing student’s perceptions of their clinical learning experience, effective teaching methods, and their readiness for clinical practice. A sequential explanatory mixed method case study design was used in this study. In the quantitative study, a convenience sample of 217 year three and year four nursing students volunteered to participate in this study. In the qualitative study, the researcher employed the purposeful sampling technique to select a total of thirteen year three and year four nursing students in the UAE. Data collection was achieved by a questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis of nursing study plans and student clinical evaluation reports. The study concluded that peer support, availability of learning opportunities, and competence, supervision, and guidance of clinical instructors facilitated the clinical practice of students. However, the gap between theory and practice, high clinical instructor-to-student ratio, high study load, an inadequate collaboration between clinical instructors and preceptors, and unfavorable clinical rotation were barriers to clinical practice. Moreover, the study revealed that many students were not fully ready for clinical practice. As most of the factors that could affect the clinical practice of students have been identified, it is recommended that administrators introduce changes to the management of clinical and laboratory courses in terms of clinical rotations, sequencing pattern of courses, number of students and resources in laboratories, and co-requisite requirements for clinical courses. Besides, clinical instructors are required to be supportive of students, acknowledge their achievements, engage them regularly in reflective practices, ask critical thinking questions, use formative assessment to identify learning needs rather than to grade student performance, and collaborate with preceptors and nurse managers.Item An Investigation of the Gifted Education Programs and its Effectiveness across the Private Middle Schools in Dubai(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2021-12) SHARMA, NEHA HARESHThe concept of inclusion remains at the heart of successful education and the UAE follows the rights-based model of inclusion. Gifted education programs are essential to offer academically aligned curriculum and instructional practices, cater to the socio-emotional needs of advanced learners, and provide the skills to advance their careers. This study investigated the gifted programs offered and evaluated its effectiveness in private middle schools in Dubai. Currently, we cannot estimate the number of gifted learners that go unidentified or underserved leading to individual needs being unrecognised. This disheartening situation exists owing to the dearth of prior research in giftedness in the local context. Following the pragmatic paradigm and exploratory sequential mixed methods, the current investigation used the NAFC 2019 PreK-12 gifted education programming standards for guidance alongside appropriate theoretical and conceptual frameworks. Qualitative research including interviews and the document analysis of the KHDA school inspection reports was followed by quantitative analysis of student attainment data in core subjects in the cognitive domain alongside the self-perception data in the affective domain, and concluded with the qualitative analysis of the findings, guided by the giftedness literature. Few suggestions regarding improvements in the gifted programs and recommendations for future research are reported.Item Investigating Teachers’ and Students’ Perceptions of STEM Education in Private Elementary Schools in Abu Dhabi(The British University in Dubai (BUiD), 2022-06) CHAYA, HEBAOne of the furthermost essential reforms in education is STEM education. It comes as a priority in the well-industrially and economically national agendas of the developed nations, as it is acknowledged for preparing scholars for the technological revolution that the world is experiencing. In the UAE, many initiatives were taken by the STEM promoters to implement effective STEM education as the UAE economy is moving from being oil-based to knowledge-based and that requires more students to graduate as scientists and engineers. STEM education must be implemented starting from the early years as this period is critical for the children's cognitive, social, and academic development. For STEM to be implemented effectively at the elementary level, the teachers must be well equipped to face the complicated and entangled web that enshrouds the STEM education field. Additionally, identifying teachers’ perceptions of STEM education is considered as one of the ultimate significant processes that need to be considered by the STEM education stakeholders as the teachers’ STEM practices are highly influenced by their perceptions of STEM. Similarly, the students’ perceptions and practices of STEM education and the student's motivation to pursue careers in STEM fields are highly affected by teachers’ perceptions of STEM education. The purpose of this study was to explore the current provisions that are on offer in relation to STEM education and to investigate the teachers’ and the students’ perceptions of STEM education in Abu Dhabi private elementary schools. No studies had been conducted in the UAE context on this topic. The researcher conducted an empirical study with an exploratory sequential mixed methods design to meet the purpose of the study. The mixed research methods included both qualitative and quantitative methods including document analysis, teacher questionnaire, and student questionnaire. The document analysis reported eight themes related to the STEM status and implementation in private elementary schools in Abu Dhabi: (1) Integrated STEM-based curriculum, (2) Project-based learning, (3) Technology and Engineering Integration, (4) Teacher willingness to implement STEM, (5) 21st century skills and STEM, (6) Authentic STEM classroom environment, (7) Authentic STEM Assessment, and (8) School Administration support of STEM integration. Results from the teacher and student questionnaires revealed that most of the elementary teachers and students in STEM private schools in Abu Dhabi have positive perceptions of STEM education. Also, elementary students were interested in STEM careers. Furthermore, quantitative findings related to the teacher questionnaire revealed that the majority of the elementary teachers in STEM private schools in Abu Dhabi strongly understand what STEM education is and they strongly agree that STEM competencies are extremely important. Yet, half of the teachers agree that they find difficulties in implementing STEM education. Qualitative data related to the teacher questionnaire revealed that these difficulties were related specifically to the lack of STEM resources, the constraint of time, and the need for professional development. The study ends by discussing the findings of the study, highlighting the researcher’s recommendations, and by outlining the limitations of this study.