Education Commons^™

English Teachers’ Perceptions On Using Arabic In English Language Teaching In Al-Ain In United Arab Emirates, Ramia Dirar Shehadeh Musmar

Theses

This study investigated the use of Arabic in teaching English as a foreign language from the perspectives of English language teachers in the context of Al-Ain public schools in United Arab Emirates. The QUAN-QUAL model (triangulation) was employed in which the quantitative and qualitative data were concurrently collected throughout the study. The target population was the teachers of English from Al-Ain public schools. The researcher applied the proportional stratified sampling. The subgroups were the population of teachers divided by teaching cycle which made a sample of 100 participants. The study utilized three data collection instruments; a questionnaire distributed to 100 …

How Do Apprentice Painters And Decorators On The Irish Standards Based Apprenticeship Experience Their Learning?, Eric Bates

Theses

This thesis research set out to examine the learning experience of apprentice painters and decorators on the Irish Standards Based Apprenticeship. It focussed on three painting and decorating apprentices from the Technological University Dublin who were coming towards the end of their four year apprenticeship. As such the participants had experienced the full range of possible learning on the programme. The main aim of the study was to explore the learning experiences of apprentices on the standards based apprenticeship in their own words. This would provide for unique insights into that learning experience.

The research design was interprtivism informed by …

Learner Experiences Of Online Pre-Lecture Resources For An Introductory Chemistry Course At An Irish Higher Education Institution, Claire M. Mcdonnell

Theses

The principal aim of this case study was to investigate students’ experiences of using online pre-lecture resources and their perceptions of their learning environment for the Introductory Chemistry module concerned. A subsidiary aim was to probe the experience of the lecturer involved of designing and piloting these resources and his perception of their impact on students’ learning. The student cohort who participated were a group of 49 first year level 8 undergraduate chemistry students at Technologicl University Dublin. These students took an Introductory Chemistry module over their first semester, the aim of which was to bring the level of understanding …

Old Tribes, New Tribes: The Extent To Which Discipline Cultures Impact On The Development And Delivery Of Cross-Disciplinary Undergraduate Degree Programs? A Study Of The Bsc In Product Design At The Technologicl University Dublin, Robert Tully

Theses

The research presented in this thesis focuses on two objectives, the first and main objective being to investigate the impact of discipline cultures on the development and delivery of cross-disciplinary undergraduate education on the BSc. in Product Design at the Technologicl University Dublin. The second objective of the thesis is to consider the changes that occur as a result of the ‘tribes’ cohabitating on these cross-disciplinary education programs. The underlying interest in answering these questions lies in the implications for the way in which programs, which have a cross-disciplinary intention, structure, develop the syllabus, enable discourse and facilitate collaboration in …

Characteristics Of Leaders Of Change For Principals In Al Ain Schools, The United Arab Emirates, Fatima Murad Ali Khaja Al Mazam

Theses

This study investigates the characteristics and skills of leaders of change that are exhibited by AI Ain Education Zone school principals. The research design is mainly a quantitative survey study. Data were gathered from 434 teachers in AI Ain schools. Means, standard deviations, t test and one-way analysis of variance were used as statistics to analyze the data. The study found out that school principals in AI Ain exhibit the characteristics of leaders of change regarding sharing vision and values, valuing human resources, fostering collaborative relationships, communicating effectively, being proactive, creating and sharing knowledge, and managing resistance to change. The …

The Efficacy Of Native And Non-Native English Teachers On Teaching And Learning: Perceptions Of Students And Advisors, Sobhi Yousef Ahmed Abu Hatab

Theses

The purpose of this study is to investigate the perception of students and teacher advisers on the efficacy of native and non-native English teachers on the language teaching and learning in Abu Dhabi schools. The data was collected by surveying 400 students and 59 teacher advisers and interviewing 40 students and 10 advisers. The findings of this study indicate significant differences between the efficacy of both native and non-native English teachers in four aspects; (a) teaching competencies, (b) pedagogy, (c) students' learning and (d) awareness of students' cultural and social background. The students and teacher advisers perceive English native teachers …

The Effects Of A Guided Program On Improving Fourth Grade English Reading Comprehension Skills In The Uae., Mohammed Kamil Mohammed Salhyyah

Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of implementing a guided reading program for promoting reading comprehension skills of grade four pupils in the UAE. This program was based on intensive practice of the targeted skills followed by a gradual release of teacher’s role to have more pupils’ independence while reading. The participants of this study were sixty pupils in grade four who were divided into a control group and a treatment group. Data were collected and analyzed using the results of both the pretest and posttest. The treatment was implementing a guided reading program which lasted …

Features Of Effective Educational Leadership From The Perspectives Of Teachers., Aysha Saeed Rashed Saeed Al Nuaimi

Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the important characteristics and features influencing effective educational leadership from the perspectives of teachers. There were six main features that were investigated in this study. These are: model the way, inspire a shared vision, challenge the process, enable others to act, encourage the heart, and have a global mind set. The study was guided by one research question. Data for this study were collected through a survey questionnaire. It contains 36 close ended-questions and one open-ended question. The instrument rated responses on a five level Likert Scale questionnaire which is rated from …

Assessing Training Needs Of School Principals In Al Ain – United Arab Emirates (Some Lessons From Literature And The Field), Mariam Abdulla Moubarak Saeed Al Yahyaei

Theses

This study examines the characteristics of school leadership professional development programs through conducting a training needs assessment utilizing a questionnaire on school principals in Al-Ain Educational zone during 2010-2011. The study employs two research paradigms that are quantitative and qualitative, where multiple-choice items and open-ended questions are combined in a questionnaire used to collect data. The sample included 50 female and male school principals out of 114 school principals in Al Ain zone, presenting cycle one (Grade 1-5), two (Grade 6-9) and three (Grade 10 – 12), including common schools (school that cover two cycles or more). The study found …

Resistance To Educational Change From The Perspective Of Teachers In Al Ain Educational Zone In Uae., Wafaa Mohammed Ali El Zaatar.

Theses

The study aimed to investigate the factors for teacher resistance toward the educational change in government schools in the U.A.E. The factors this study investigated are the: psychological, personal, school culture, and organizational factors. The study was guided by one research question and used the descriptive research method. Data for this study were collected through a survey using Likert Scale. It was sent to 414 teachers in public schools in different grade levels. Teachers selected were males and females, from different age group, years of experience and qualifications; and they were UAE national and foreign teachers. Only 255 teachers responded. …

The Effect Of Homogeneous Grouping Versus Heterogeneous Grouping On High School Students’ Efl Writing Achievement, Ihab Abd Elazim Mohamed Mahmoud

Theses

This study is an attempt to investigate the effectiveness of homogeneous grouping versus heterogeneous grouping on students’ EFL achievement in writing. A pretest posttest design was used to answer the research questions about the effectiveness of grouping students homogeneously versus heterogeneously. Two classes were assigned for the study. One class was assigned for heterogeneous grouping in which high achievers were in group of four or less and low achievers were in group of four or less. The second classes was assigned for heterogeneous grouping where students of different abilities high and low achievers were in groups of four or less. …

The Effectiveness Of Using Ict To Enhance The Efl Speaking Skill, Amin Mefreh Amin Elkhayyat

Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of ICT on the EFL speaking skill and its specific components: (I) verbal linguistic, (2) auditory paralinguistic, (3) visual nonverbal paralinguistic. In addition, the study investigated the effects of employing ICT tools on students' motivation. The design of this study was a quasi-experimental design, i.e. pre-post control group design. Thirty-nine male students, from grade eight, of two intact classes at one of the schools in Al-Ain, UAE, participated in this study. The experimental group received learning and teaching of the speaking skill through employing ICT tools, the independent variable, whereas …

A Quantitative Study Into Grade Inflation (Perceived And Actual) In The College Of Business, Technologicl University Dublin, Derek Simon

Theses

Most academics have an opinion on the existence or otherwise of grade inflation. Some people deny the existence of grade inflation. Some argue that it is damaging to academia while some argue that it is a normal phenomenon and is not damaging while others assert that it is impossible to measure. Due to the difficulty in measurement of grade inflation this study was devised to measure firsts and distinctions to ascertain the quantity of grade inflation. This study takes a two pronged approach to discovering the real and perceived existence or otherwise of grade inflation in the College. In the …

How Can We Nurture And Develop Creativity In First Year Design Students, Kerry Meakin

Theses

This research paper investigates the perceptions of first year third level design students regarding their creative thinking and use of creative strategies, while studying a first year design based curriculum in an Institute of Technology in Dublin. The research was conducted in a three-phase, sequential project. The first phase, questioned twenty seven students by issuing anonymous questionnaires to gather data on their methods of incubating design ideas, if they experienced any levels of anxiety when doing so, and their satisfaction levels in their design and creative abilities. Literature was reviewed to discover the attributes of those we perceive as creative …

“An Exploration Of The Barriers To Independent Study And Learning In First Year Undergraduate Engineering Students”, Robert Martin Morris

Theses

Abstract

This mixed method case study was based in the Institute of Technology and was conducted with the co-operation of four experienced lecturers of engineering and three groups of first year undergraduate engineering students. The main aim of the research was to identify factors which constitute barriers to the independent study and learning of first year engineering students.

A large proportion of first year engineering students do not return to college for the second year of their programmes. Many reasons for this are identified in the research, including the failure to pass assessments and examinations as a result of the …

Assistive Technology: Effects Of Training On Education Assistants' Perceptions Of Themselves As Users And Facilitators Of Assistive Technology And Consequent Transfer Of Skills To The Classroom Environment, Dianne J. Chambers

Theses

With the increasing use of Education Assistant Special Needs (EASN) to support students with special needs in regular settings, it is important to consider the tools and knowledge that they bring to the role. The use of assistive technology (AT) as a support for students with special needs in Australia and globally is becoming more prevalent as the technology becomes increasingly affordable and more widely available. Consequently, it is important that the staff who are most likely to be working closely with these students are competent and confident in the use of AT. The purpose of this research was to …

Exploring The Development Of Student Leadership Potential Within A Catholic School: A Qualitative Case Study, Gregory Hine

Theses

The focus of this research was student leadership and student leadership development in a Catholic secondary school. Central to the thesis were the leadership experiences and self-perceptions of elected students aged 15-17 years as they participated in the school’s leadership program. These insights helped the researcher characterise the functioning Program of student leadership at the school, and to discern what kinds of leaders are produced through its efforts.

The review of literature considered five established leadership models: transactional leadership, transformational leadership, charismatic leadership, servant leadership, and distributed leadership. These models were analysed with regards to their strengths, limitations, and potential …