- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Zeina Hojeij
Zayed University, Interdisciplinary Studies, Faculty Member
This study investigates the developments in the experiences of students with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on distance learning at three Emirati universities. It explores the students' experiences during the... more
This study investigates the developments in the experiences of students with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on distance learning at three Emirati universities. It explores the students' experiences during the first semester of distance learning and analyses how these experiences evolved one year into the pandemic. The research adopts a qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews to collect data from 21 participants, including 12 students with disabilities and 9 disability support staff. The study's findings highlight that during the initial months of online learning, the students encountered various technical challenges, such as difficulties with technology access, Wi-Fi availability, and lack of training in using assistive technologies. However, as the pandemic progressed, the students faced different challenges in the second year of online learning. These challenges included navigating online classes and exams, communication issues with inst...
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The present study explores the experiences of Emirati female preservice teachers who are completing their internship teaching practice virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative study focuses on virtual classroom management.... more
The present study explores the experiences of Emirati female preservice teachers who are completing their internship teaching practice virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative study focuses on virtual classroom management. Participants were preservice teachers (n = 18) completing their undergraduate degrees in Early Childhood Education at a federal university in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Data collected from interviews resulted in four themes related to classroom management: challenges, opportunities, performance factors, and suggestions for improvement. The findings revealed that the preservice teachers considered virtual learning an opportunity. However, the main challenge was that the preservice teachers had no prior training in online classroom management and had to create their own strategies. Training on the technology used for virtual learning is important for both teachers and students to achieve satisfactory learning experiences.
The global pandemic of COVID-19 has forced many learning institutions to close or switch to remote learning as a preventative measure to reduce the spread of the virus. The greatest challenge was with practical courses where preservice... more
The global pandemic of COVID-19 has forced many learning institutions to close or switch to remote learning as a preventative measure to reduce the spread of the virus. The greatest challenge was with practical courses where preservice teachers had to promptly acquire technological skills and online teaching pedagogies as part of their virtual field experience. This need for learning and applying online pedagogies and technological competencies to increase student performance can lead to different perceptions of self-efficacy in online teaching. The purpose of this study is to examine the predictors for enhancing preservice teachers' self-efficacy and satisfaction in online teaching and to investigate the association of their self-efficacy beliefs and their satisfaction with online teaching. Elementary preservice teachers (n = 257) from two teacher preparation programs in two universities in the United Arab Emirates completed a 5-point Likert scale survey. Results revealed that participants reported a high level of self-efficacy and satisfaction in online teaching mainly regarding their abilities to engage students in online classrooms and use of computers/educational technology. Students' technological knowledge was strongly correlated with participants self-efficacy beliefs. Interestingly, results showed that preservice teachers who have beginner experience in teaching scored significantly higher on their self-efficacy than those with moderate and advanced experience.
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This feminist semiotic study explores the folkloric imaginary of the jinn in the context of children’s and young adults’ Arab Gothic literature. Across the Middle East, the jinn is a common trope in literature, folklore and oral... more
This feminist semiotic study explores the folkloric imaginary of the jinn in the context of children’s and young adults’ Arab Gothic literature. Across the Middle East, the jinn is a common trope in literature, folklore and oral storytelling who, in diegetic terms, can manifest as the Gothic figure of an aging female, deranged older woman or succubus (known as sa’lawwa in Arabic). In this study, a novel feminist semiotic framework is developed to explore the extent to which the Gothic female succubus either haunts or liberates Arab girls’ coming-of-age fictions. This issue is addressed via a feminist semiotic reading of the narratives of Middle Eastern woman author @Ranoy7, exploring the appeal of her scary stories presented on YouTube. Findings reveal tacit fears, ambivalences and tensions embodied within the Arab Gothic sign of the aging female succubus or jinn. Overall, the research develops feminist insights into the semiotic motif of the female jinn and its role in constituting...
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ABSTRACT Children’s literature plays an essential role in the development of children’s literacy skills. Dual language learners can particularly benefit from the use of picture books to facilitate comprehension, formulaic language... more
ABSTRACT Children’s literature plays an essential role in the development of children’s literacy skills. Dual language learners can particularly benefit from the use of picture books to facilitate comprehension, formulaic language acquisition, and vocabulary acquisition. This paper explores the availability and quality of English/Arabic dual language books in an early years setting in the United Arab Emirates. It is a qualitative study that examines the text quality of 24 English/Arabic dual language picture books available within the setting itself and the affiliated university library. The researchers’ combined experiences with literacy in the context of young children, including experience in choosing appropriate texts for young children, as well as their ontological perspectives as researchers, guide this personal appreciation. The study found issues with availability of book information, translation accuracy, and cultural relevance. In order to have a high quality bilingual picture book, it is crucial that the translation is accurate and reviewed very carefully by experienced authors/editors in both languages to avoid any errors. The major categories generated from this study can serve as a checklist to guide researchers in future studies, educators in various settings and parents in the community, in choosing appropriate dual language books.
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This research study investigated the effects of digital feedback on EFL students’ writings in ubiquitous learning. Feedback on students’ writings, especially at university level, must be constructive to enhance their overall academic... more
This research study investigated the effects of digital feedback on EFL students’ writings in ubiquitous learning. Feedback on students’ writings, especially at university level, must be constructive to enhance their overall academic writing skills and requires purposeful planning. . In this study, teachers created digital screen-recorded feedback to deliver individualized oral feedback to the students. Findings of this study explore the impact of digital feedback on improving the quality of academic writing for EFL undergraduate female learners. Data collected showed that using digital feedback created a positive and active learning environment and promoted learner autonomy. This digital platform also allowed learning to be continuous and ubiquitous. The results present several practical pedagogical implications and suggestions for future research.
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This paper presents the perceptions of two university professors regarding the use of project based learning (PBL) in teaching a children’s literature course. Students enrolled in the class created an original storybook in the form of an... more
This paper presents the perceptions of two university professors regarding the use of project based learning (PBL) in teaching a children’s literature course. Students enrolled in the class created an original storybook in the form of an e-book as their final project for the course. The data was collected through in-depth interviews with the professors. The interviews with both faculty members led to important findings regarding the benefits of integrating technology and PBL in the course, such as achieving autonomy of learners, collaboration among peers, authenticity of culture integration, and motivation of learners. However, some challenges were observed, mainly the need for more training and time to achieve better results. The paper concludes with some recommendations for future research in areas such as technology use and evaluation of PBL projects.
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This study examined the impact of iPad integration on student motivation, engagement, and learning skills in a mathematics program. Subjects included 143 students aged 8 to 14 years old and 63 parents in an Indian-based school in Dubai... more
This study examined the impact of iPad integration on student motivation, engagement, and learning skills in a mathematics program. Subjects included 143 students aged 8 to 14 years old and 63 parents in an Indian-based school in Dubai where the national curriculum required the use of tablets be integrated into school subjects starting at grade three. All subjects responded to questions about how iPads could support learning math and the kind of challenges students faced. Classes were technology-driven using individualized learning groups and a variety of computer apps. Around 80 percent of the students indicated they understood new concepts better, were able to solve difficult math problems, and expected themselves to score better on their tests. It was found that providing instant access to a wide array of applications, resources, hands-on activities, and instant feedback can engage students and help them remain on task, especially those with special educational needs.
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This paper reports on the findings of a qualitative study conducted to explore the effects of reflective journal keeping by 30 female pre-service teachers studying at a university in the United Arab Emirates. At the onset of the study,... more
This paper reports on the findings of a qualitative study conducted to explore the effects of reflective journal keeping by 30 female pre-service teachers studying at a university in the United Arab Emirates. At the onset of the study, the participants were trained on the principles of reflective journal writing and were asked to write in their journals during and after the completion of their weekly field experience over a period of ten weeks. Through content analysis, the qualitative data collected were analysed and four salient themes emerged from the data, i.e., “teaching using technology”, “constructive learning”, “experiential learning and play”, and “class management”. The data indicate that the teacher-trainees benefited greatly from writing reflectively as an important exercise that can help them develop professionally and ethically in their careers and aid their students to develop a good understanding of the subject(s) taught. The researchers believe reflective journal wr...
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The impact of peer reviewing for writers has been investigated extensively for the past three decades. Results have showed that peer reviewing improves writers’ texts, helps in identifying their writing strategies, and develops their... more
The impact of peer reviewing for writers has been investigated extensively for the past three decades. Results have showed that peer reviewing improves writers’ texts, helps in identifying their writing strategies, and develops their motivation and confidence. Less researched, however, are the ways that could improve the quality of peer-review feedback in an EFL context, compared with English dominant settings. To address this issue, the current study examined the effect of peer reviewing training on the motivation and engagement levels towards self and peer reviewing of undergraduate students who are Arabic native speakers at a foundation intermediate English class. Students received training on how to review essays and provide effective feedback on formal (related to English language structure) and global errors (related to the content and organisation of writing). Combinations of face to face training and self-paced training through mobile technology learning apps were provided t...
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This project examined the practices of professional development in one Lebanese private higher education institution. The purpose of this project was to identify faculty perceptions regarding their professional development in order to... more
This project examined the practices of professional development in one Lebanese private higher education institution. The purpose of this project was to identify faculty perceptions regarding their professional development in order to clarify the areas in which improvements are needed. After extensive reading, the topic was identified and a quasi-action research approach was designed. The focus was best practices in faculty development in higher education in a Lebanese university. The first step was to gain background knowledge and information in the areas of professional development history, types, and criteria for efficiency. The next step was the formulation of the research questions which provided a narrowed approach to the reading. Once the project design was completed, a review of the literature on professional development practices in education with a focus on higher education was conducted in order to identify the criteria for effective professional development and accountability. Next, a sample of part-time and full-time instructors at an American-system private university in Lebanon provided feedback on current practices and opportunities of faculty development and benchmarks for accountability through a confidential survey administered by e-mail. The survey included ten questions about the participants' personal initiative for faculty development as well as the frequency of activities provided by their institution. Quantitative data was gathered by analyzing the faculty responses to the survey questions. The researcher found that research concerning faculty development in Lebanese higher education was sparse. As a result, there is a need for professional development standards of best practices for Lebanese higher education. Based on the data provided through the survey, the researcher recommended several changes to the current professional development practices in Lebanese higher education with human resource, financial, and time implications for action.
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This paper reports on the findings of a qualitative study conducted to explore the effects of reflective journal keeping by 30 female pre-service teachers studying at a university in the United Arab Emirates. At the onset of the study,... more
This paper reports on the findings of a qualitative study conducted to explore the effects of reflective journal keeping by 30 female pre-service teachers studying at a university in the United Arab Emirates. At the onset of the study, the participants were trained on the principles of reflective journal writing and were asked to write in their journals during and after the completion of their weekly field experience over a period of ten weeks. Through content analysis, the qualitative data collected were analysed and four salient themes emerged from the data, i.e., “teaching using technology”, “constructive learning”, “experiential learning and play”, and “class management”. The data indicate that the teacher-trainees benefited greatly from writing reflectively as an important exercise that can help them develop professionally and ethically in their careers and aid their students to develop a good understanding of the subject(s) taught. The researchers believe reflective journal wr...
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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, universities have moved rapidly to transition of various courses and programs from face-to-face to online delivery mode. Involving pre-service teachers in the virtual field experience remained almost... more
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, universities have moved rapidly to transition of various courses and programs from face-to-face to online delivery mode. Involving pre-service teachers in the virtual field experience remained almost impossible. In the United Arab Emirates, however, a small cohort of four pre-service teachers have completed their teaching practicum online for the first time. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effectiveness of virtual practicum placement and its impact on developing preservice teachers' teaching practices, classroom management skills, and the use of online resources. A qualitative approach was employed for data collection including open-ended interviews, journal entries, and written reflections under guided reflective categories to uncover participants' perceptions about their virtual teaching experience. Findings revealed the significant role of the mentor and suggested a framework for effective virtual field experience.
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The impact of peer reviewing for writers has been investigated extensively for the past three decades. Results have showed that peer reviewing improves writers’ texts, helps in identifying their writing strategies, and develops their... more
The impact of peer reviewing for writers has been investigated extensively for the past three decades. Results have showed that peer reviewing improves writers’ texts, helps in identifying their writing strategies, and develops their motivation and confidence. Less researched, however, are the ways that could improve the quality of peer-review feedback in an EFL context, compared with English dominant settings. To address this issue, the current study examined the effect of peer reviewing training on the motivation and engagement levels towards self and peer reviewing of undergraduate students who are Arabic native speakers at a foundation intermediate English class. Students received training on how to review essays and provide effective feedback on formal (related to English language structure) and global errors (related to the content and organisation of writing). Combinations of face to face training and self-paced training through mobile technology learning apps were provided t...
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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, universities have moved rapidly to transition of various courses and programs from face-to-face to online delivery mode. Involving pre-service teachers in the virtual field experience remained almost... more
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, universities have moved rapidly to transition of various courses and programs from face-to-face to online delivery mode. Involving pre-service teachers in the virtual field experience remained almost impossible. In the United Arab Emirates, however, a small cohort of four pre-service teachers have completed their teaching practicum online for the first time. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effectiveness of virtual practicum placement and its impact on developing preservice teachers' teaching practices, classroom management skills, and the use of online resources. A qualitative approach was employed for data collection including open-ended interviews, journal entries, and written reflections under guided reflective categories to uncover participants' perceptions about their virtual teaching experience. Findings revealed the significant role of the mentor and suggested a framework for effective virtual field experience.
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Research indicates that mobile learning (ML), has the potential to transform teaching and learning. Despite its benefits, mobile learning adoption is a challenging process which requires support to facilitate its integration. The focus of... more
Research indicates that mobile learning (ML), has the potential to transform teaching and learning. Despite its benefits, mobile learning adoption is a challenging process which requires support to facilitate its integration. The focus of this article is to investigate the factors that could affect ML acceptance. The quantitative and qualitative data collected from the surveys revealed additional information regarding the pedagogical benefits of and obstacles to mobile learning integration. Even though participants in this study reported to be late adopters of technology, they maintained that ML is useful for learning, specifically ubiquitous learning. Teachers also noted that mobile learning integration is more successful when aligned with local cultural norms. Mobile learning tools that might be culturally appropriate in one context may not always be accepted in another. Findings of this study provide several implications and recommendations for future research on mobile learni...
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Bilingual literature for children is valuable in encouraging literacy in second language learners. Stories can enhance vocabulary and language abilities, learning encounters, subject content, social aptitude, and other skills in the early... more
Bilingual literature for children is valuable in encouraging literacy in second language learners. Stories can enhance vocabulary and language abilities, learning encounters, subject content, social aptitude, and other skills in the early reader through text as well as illustrations. This paper explores issues in selecting quality dual language picture books with the aim of deepening understanding of what is meant by ‘quality’ dual language books, in terms of text quality, specifically translation accuracy, cultural relevance and book information. Four English/Arabic bilingual children books were evaluated by three raters from different backgrounds. A mixed method approach was followed to combine qualitative evaluations of these books with quantitative scores based on inter-rater reliability. Findings highlight the importance of interplay between picture and verbal text in picture books, urging educators to give more explicit attention to illustrations in any evaluation of text qual...
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Bilingual literature for children is valuable in encouraging literacy in second language learners. Stories can enhance vocabulary and language abilities, learning encounters, subject content, social aptitude, and other skills in the early... more
Bilingual literature for children is valuable in encouraging literacy in second language learners. Stories can enhance vocabulary and language abilities, learning encounters, subject content, social aptitude, and other skills in the early reader through text as well as illustrations. This paper explores issues in selecting quality dual language picture books with the aim of deepening understanding of what is meant by 'quality' dual language books, in terms of text quality, specifically translation accuracy, cultural relevance and book information. Four English/Arabic bilingual children books were evaluated by three raters from different backgrounds. A mixed method approach was followed to combine qualitative evaluations of these books with quantitative scores based on inter-rater reliability. Findings highlight the importance of interplay between picture and verbal text in picture books, urging educators to give more explicit attention to illustrations in any evaluation of text quality in picture books.
Job satisfaction remains until this date a prominent factor that managers seek in their employees to ensure the organization’s productivity and success. It has extensively drawn the attention of researchers in the educational field to... more
Job satisfaction remains until this date a prominent factor that managers seek in their employees to ensure the organization’s productivity and success. It has extensively drawn the attention of researchers in the educational field to inform policymakers and school leaders of its impact on teachers’ motivation, commitment, stress, retention, and burnout levels. The aim of this study is twofold. First, it will investigate teachers’ job satisfaction level in Lebanon, and second, it will look at their perceptions of their principals’ self-efficacy levels. A total of 133 Teachers Job Satisfaction Questionnaires (TJSQ) were collected from 6 private and 6 public K-12 schools to measure teachers’ perceptions about the factors that are mostly correlated with their job satisfaction levels. Despite that, overall means of intrinsic factors were higher than extrinsic factors, correla- tion analysis revealed that extrinsic factors (i.e., working conditions and professional development) were more associated with teachers’ job fulfill- ment. Findings from this study support the literature indicating that when teachers’ extrinsic needs are fulfilled in less developed countries, they will uplift their job satisfaction level. Further implications for research and practice are also discussed.
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This paper reports on the findings of a qualitative study conducted to explore the effects of reflective journal keeping by 30 female pre-service teachers studying at a university in the United Arab Emirates. At the onset of the study,... more
This paper reports on the findings of a qualitative study conducted to explore the effects of reflective journal keeping by 30 female pre-service teachers studying at a university in the United Arab Emirates. At the onset of the study, the participants were trained on the principles of reflective journal writing and were asked to write in their journals during and after the completion of their weekly field experience over a period of ten weeks. Through content analysis, the qualitative data collected were analysed and four salient themes emerged from the data, i.e., "teaching using technology", "constructive learning", "experiential learning and play", and "class management". The data indicate that the teacher-trainees benefited greatly from writing reflectively as an important exercise that can help them develop professionally and ethically in their careers and aid their students to develop a good understanding of the subject(s) taught. The researchers believe reflective journal writing provides both the pre-service and in-service teachers with unique opportunities to examine and improve their teaching and their students' learning experiences. The researchers likewise believe in order to achieve optimal professional and practical results, teachers should be effectively trained by experienced and skilled educators on to how to write in their journals.
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The aim of this study is to explore the role of K-12 school princi- pals’ self-efficacy as an attribute for their leadership effectiveness in Lebanon. The Norwegian principal self-efficacy scale (NPSES) instrument was translated into... more
The aim of this study is to explore the role of K-12 school princi- pals’ self-efficacy as an attribute for their leadership effectiveness in Lebanon. The Norwegian principal self-efficacy scale (NPSES) instrument was translated into Arabic and used to collect quanti- tative data from participants. Internal consistency of factors within this study was checked (24 items; α = 0.73). By comparing private and public schools in Lebanon, all located in the governorate of Mount Lebanon, the researchers revealed the extent to which principals’ self-efficacy plays a role in their leadership. In addition, while no statistical difference was found between self-efficacy levels of private and public principals, females reported higher scores on the majority of the dimensions than their male counter- parts in both types of schools. This study highlights the impor- tance of the interaction effect of age and gender on self-efficacy levels. Moreover, it offers knowledge and practice to policy makers when recruiting principals or designing training programs. It also suggests the implementation of an in-house mentoring program to create school-school partnerships. Finally, this paper offers a platform for future researchers interested in principal self-efficacy in similar conflict-affected places with high economic depression. Limitations are further mentioned.
Bilingual literature for children is valuable in encouraging literacy in second language learners. Stories can enhance vocabulary and language abilities, learning encounters, subject content, social aptitude, and other skills in the early... more
Bilingual literature for children is valuable in encouraging literacy in second language learners. Stories can enhance vocabulary and language abilities, learning encounters, subject content, social aptitude, and other skills in the early reader through text as well as illustrations. This paper explores issues in selecting quality dual language picture books with the aim of deepening understanding of what is meant by 'quality' dual language books, in terms of text quality, specifically translation accuracy, cultural relevance and book information. Four English/Arabic bilingual children books were evaluated by three raters from different backgrounds. A mixed method approach was followed to combine qualitative evaluations of these books with quantitative scores based on inter-rater reliability. Findings highlight the importance of interplay between picture and verbal text in picture books, urging educators to give more explicit attention to illustrations in any evaluation of text quality in picture books.
Research indicates that mobile learning (ML), has the potential to transform teaching and learning. Despite its benefits, mobile learning adoption is a challenging process which requires support to facilitate its integration. The focus of... more
Research indicates that mobile learning (ML), has the potential to transform teaching and learning. Despite its benefits, mobile learning adoption is a challenging process which requires support to facilitate its integration. The focus of this article is to investigate the factors that could affect ML acceptance. The quantitative and qualitative data collected from the surveys revealed additional information regarding the pedagogical benefits of and obstacles to mobile learning integration. Even though participants in this study reported to be late adopters of technology, they maintained that ML is useful for learning, specifically ubiquitous learning. Teachers also noted that mobile learning integration is more successful when aligned with local cultural norms. Mobile learning tools that might be culturally appropriate in one context may not always be accepted in another. Findings of this study provide several implications and recommendations for future research on mobile learning implementation. Further research could explore the development and utilization of a ru-bric with specific criteria for evaluating mobile learning applictations.
The impact of peer reviewing for writers has been investigated extensively for the past three decades. Results have showed that peer reviewing improves writers' texts, helps in identifying their writing strategies, and develops their... more
The impact of peer reviewing for writers has been investigated extensively for the past three decades. Results have showed that peer reviewing improves writers' texts, helps in identifying their writing strategies, and develops their motivation and confidence. Less researched, however, are the ways that could improve the quality of peer-review feedback in an EFL context, compared with English dominant settings. To address this issue, the current study examined the effect of peer reviewing training on the motivation and engagement levels towards self and peer reviewing of undergraduate students who are Arabic native speakers at a foundation intermediate English class. Students received training on how to review essays and provide effective feedback on formal (related to English language structure) and global errors (related to the content and organisation of writing). Combinations of face to face training and self-paced training through mobile technology learning apps were provided to students for 10 weeks. Investigating students' perceptions and attitudes, this study found that combining peer editing training, face to face and mobile learning tools impacted positively upon EFL students' revisions and overall writing. Students were able to generate specific feedback on global as well as formal issues. This study concludes by presenting several practical implications and suggestions for future research.
In this research project, the effect of flipping grammar instruction was examined in terms of student motivation and achievement. Thirty five female university English students took part in this study. They watched video lesson... more
In this research project, the effect of flipping grammar instruction was examined in terms of student motivation and achievement. Thirty five female university English students took part in this study. They watched video lesson explanations about specific grammar points out of class and completed assignments during class time using Book Widgets. Students reported higher motivation in this type of learning environment as compared to a traditional setting. While motivation levels showed improvements, exam grades showed less significant increase. Overall, students exhibited positive feelings towards the flipped instruction methods and enjoyed the benefits of the experience of having control over their own learning and being able to go over the materials as many times as necessary for deeper learning.
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Many teachers consider themselves digital immigrants who struggle to keep up with student digital natives. Whether or not this dichotomy still holds true, in a 21st Century context of teaching and learning, is debatable not least of all... more
Many teachers consider themselves digital immigrants who struggle to keep up with student digital natives. Whether or not this dichotomy still holds true, in a 21st Century context of teaching and learning, is debatable not least of all because of the exponential development of apps and mobile learning technology. Nevertheless, it is sometimes difficult for educators to know where to begin and for students to know how best to use it to advance their studies and improve their writing.
Focusing on university students at a pre-university English as Second Language (ESL) program in Dubai, this paper discusses how mobile learning and the use of a range of apps can foster peer and self-editing, aid noticing and enhance ownership of the writing process. It is argued that flipping corrective feedback helps students to notice their errors and spend more time developing their writing.
Focusing on university students at a pre-university English as Second Language (ESL) program in Dubai, this paper discusses how mobile learning and the use of a range of apps can foster peer and self-editing, aid noticing and enhance ownership of the writing process. It is argued that flipping corrective feedback helps students to notice their errors and spend more time developing their writing.
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This project examined the practices of professional development in one Lebanese private higher education institution. The purpose of this project was to identify faculty perceptions regarding their professional development in order to... more
This project examined the practices of professional development in one Lebanese private higher education institution. The purpose of this project was to identify faculty perceptions regarding their professional development in order to clarify the areas in which improvements are needed. After extensive reading, the topic was identified and a quasi-action research approach was designed. The focus was best practices in faculty development in higher education in a Lebanese university. The first step was to gain background knowledge and information in the areas of professional development history, types, and criteria for efficiency. The next step was the formulation of the research questions which provided a narrowed approach to the reading. Once the project design was completed, a review of the literature on professional development practices in education with a focus on higher education was conducted in order to identify the criteria for effective professional development and accountability. Next, a sample of part-time and full-time instructors at an American-system private university in Lebanon provided feedback on current practices and opportunities of faculty development and benchmarks for accountability through a confidential survey administered by e-mail. The survey included ten questions about the participants' personal initiative for faculty development as well as the frequency of activities provided by their institution. Quantitative data was gathered by analyzing the faculty responses to the survey questions. The researcher found that research concerning faculty development in Lebanese higher education was sparse. As a result, there is a need for professional development standards of best practices for Lebanese higher education. Based on the data provided through the survey, the researcher recommended several changes to the current professional development practices in Lebanese higher education with human resource, financial, and time implications for action.
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This paper reports on a study exploring the relationship between the manner in which listening content is presented and the results of listening tasks in EFL classes. The study involved university level first-year students in an English... more
This paper reports on a study exploring the relationship between the manner in which listening content is presented and the results of listening tasks in EFL classes. The study involved university level first-year students in an English foundations program at the intermediate level. The participants were Arabic-speaking students learning English language in a core English class. The students completed four listening tasks presented through a recording and through live reading in the class, which required them to listen to authentic conversations, reports, and lectures and to complete a number of comprehension exercises of various types.