Higher Education Commons^™

How Much Difference Can We Make? Assessing The Change In Students’ Critical Thinking In A Private Political Science Program In Egypt, Yasmin Khodary

Political Science

The purpose of this study is to determine the change in students’ levels of critical thinking (CT) through comparing the results of second- and fourth-year students. The study also investigates the factors that are statistically significant in explaining the change, if any, in students’ CT. In doing that, the study determines whether or not the use of assessment criteria that encourage CT influences or triggers any change in students’ CT. The study employs mixed methods, combining quantitative methods with qualitative ones. Quantitative data were collected using the California CT Skills Test in order to investigate the change in students’ levels …

Setting The Foundation For Democratization: Assessing The Quality Of A Political Science Program In Egypt, Yasmin Khodary

Political Science

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the quality of a political science program in an Egyptian private university through assessing three particular dimensions: knowledge of political science core facts and theories; reading comprehension skills; and critical thinking (CT).

Design/methodology/approach – A case study research approach was used. The study relies also on a quantitative methodology. Quantitative data were collected from students in the second and fourth years of political science to assess their knowledge of core political science facts and theories, reading comprehension and CT through the online California Critical Thinking Skills Test.

Findings – Unlike …

Reporting The Impact Of Student Centered Learning (Scl): Interactive Learning Experience Base On Small-Scale Study In Undergraduate Business Classes., Safaa Shaaban

Business Administration

This paper presents an examination of the student response to a small-scale experiment in Student Centred Learning (SCL) in undergraduate business classes. This experiment tests the benefits and the impact of Student Centred Learning approach. Also, this approach will help to discover and identify students at risk. This experiment examined the twelve principles of SCL in the Faculty of Business Administration, Economics & Political Science (BAEPS) as a part of teaching and learning strategy and action plans. Feedback was collected from three student groups undertaking different modules at three levels within the Business Department. Each module applied SCL for the …

Mlearning: Powerful Learning Tools For Eap In Higher Education, Rania M Rafik Khalil

English Language and Literature

In many of today’s private higher education institutions, it is difficult to find students without a mobile phone, a PC tablet, or an ipad. At the same time, it is even more difficult to find students in higher education who use their mobile devices for academic purposes. Research indicates that English language instructors in higher education are not necessarily advocates of mobile use in the teaching classroom (Dashtesatani, 2016; Ally, 2013; Stockwell, 2012). However, in recent, years, higher education institutions are advocating the use of mobile learning for English language learning and promoting it as a “powerful learning aid” (Chen …

Effective Instruction For English Language Learners With A Learning Disability In Higher Education In Egypt, Rania M Rafik Khalil

English Language and Literature

There is a large number of students with learning disabilities (LD) today in many private higher education institutions in Egypt. It is fair to say that their challenges although have gained some attention from academics and researchers that they are still under-studied. Many of those students also happen to be English language learners (ELLs). This complicates matters even more not just for the student with the learning disability, but for the untrained instructor in the classroom. Research indicates that ELLs with LD are less likely to engage actively in classroom tasks and are more prone to failing. Providing an inclusive …

Assessment As A Learning Tool In A Flipped English Language Classroom In Higher Education, Rania M Rafik Khalil

English Language and Literature

Flipped teaching is a pedagogical model in which the roles of the instructor and the students in a flipped context are redefined. Within this unique pedagogical context, researchers suggest that, in order to maximize the learning process for students, assessment should follow a student-centered approach (Talbert, 2015; Honeycutt & Garrett, 2014).Utilising assessment as a learning tool through layering and scaffolding in the flipped context engages students in the learning process, encourages continuous assessment of student learning, creates opportunities for implementing critical thinking, helps students gain a deeper understanding of concepts, allows formative feedback and eventually yields improved outcomes. This formative …

Flipped Teaching And Learning In English Language Programmes In Higher Education, Rania M Rafik Khalil

English Language and Literature

Flipped teaching over the past fifteen years has invaded the classrooms of schools and has helped evolve the teaching strategy of different disciplines. Although the concept emerged as inverted teaching to allow space for active learning in the classroom, flipped teaching today, has found its way to higher education settings. Higher education institutions such as Harvard University, have used this approach in physics and other disciplines. Literature reviews however, show that there is little research in the field of English as a Foreign Language which can be found related to using the flipped approach. This paper aims to share the …

In Pursuit Of Autonomy: A Fallacy Or Reality? A Case Study Of Egyptian Students In Higher Education, Rania M Rafik Khalil

English Language and Literature

Learning to be self-directed involves taking responsibility for the objectives of learning. This paper will consider the challenges involved in the promotion of independent autonomous learning and the taking of an active role in learning within the confines of a British institutional higher education setting in Egypt. The paper raises the discussion that if autonomous learning is to be encouraged at Egyptian universities, faculty staff need to develop new conceptions of teaching and learning; be willing to test various methods and techniques of instruction; and acquire new skills as they shift from the role of knowledge provider to the role …

Learning Reconsidered: Supporting The Preparatory Year Student Experience, Rania M Rafik Khalil

English Language and Literature

Preparatory Year students are challenged by many aspects of their academic life as they make the transition from school to university. As a result, there has been growing emphasis on accountability for the quality of student life, teaching and learning. It has been observed that when faculty supported students’ efforts to meet high expectations, students rose to the challenge. The role of faculty staff is not simply to disseminate information but rather to create conditions that assist students to construct their own knowledge. Excellence in teaching and learning can only occur when both faculty and students are both actively engaged.