Arab Sector Research Articles

Nanotechnology among Teachers and Students in the Arab Sector in Israel: Awareness and Attitudes

The present study investigates awareness and attitudes towards nanotechnology among teachers and students from the Arab sector in Israel. The research was based on distributing a questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. The results revealed that both the teachers and students have a basic knowledge of nanotechnology. Moreover, different variables including gender, grade, years of experience, and level of education, have revealed no effect, considering the fact that nanotechnology is not introduced as a subject in teaching curriculum in schools.

Students’ Violence against Teachers in the Arab Sector in Israel—A Case Study

The study deals qualitatively with one of the most concerning issues in contemporary education—the violence of students against teachers, a growing phenomenon that has not yet been thoroughly studied. It considers the phenomenon in question with relation to the diminishing status of the teacher’s authority, as part of the transformation in adult authority. The theoretical framework presents information on students’ violence against teachers at schools, while criticizing the incompetent coping with the phenomenon. In the methodological section, we present the interviews section and the list of questions we asked interviewees, such as: what types of violence are common in the school? What are the characteristics of the violent student? The findings describe the school where the research was conducted, and analyze the teachers’ responses, while at the discussion summarizing the prominent points addressed by the interviews, to establish an applied model for dealing with the phenomenon at schools.

How Project-Based Learning promotes 7th grade students' motivation and attitudes towards studying biology

Students' attitudes and motivations affect their learning process and their academic success. The purpose of the present study is to examine the influence of the use of Project-Based Learning (PBL) on Arab sector middle-school students' attitudes and motivation towards biology. The study was conducted using a mixed design, quantitative as well as qualitative. The quantitative part took the form of questionnaires and the qualitative part consisted of a semi-structured interview with students. In this quasi experimental study, the research population consisted of 178 7th grade students of the Arab sector in northern Israel. The study's findings indicate that an intervention program consisting mainly of combining the teaching of biology with PBL resulted in both increased motivation among students and more positive attitudes towards biology. Students reported greater pleasure, curiosity, interest and cooperation as a result of using PBL in learning about the cell in biology. Introduction of PBL into standard teaching can bring about improvements in both students' motivation and their attitudes. It may be argued that the intervention that was applied in this case contributed to the improvement. The results helps in the formulation of recommendations for applying the PBL in biology and perhaps in other subjects as well.

The Influence of School Practices on Academic Self-Efficacy Towards Mathematics Achievement

The purpose of this article is to specify whether there is any influence of school practices towards mathematics self-efficacy and mathematics outcomes. The studies about the effect of school practice on student achievement have a long history both domestically and abroad. However, the investigation of how the social context of school and practices affect student performance is not clear, especially in mathematics. To investigate this, I will chose al-touri secondary school where I teach as a case-study for my research. The instrument use for the article will be based on a questionnaire, which contains 2 sections. Section 1 will contain “School Level Environment Questionnaire” (SLEQ). Section 2 will contain “Mathematic Self-efficacy Questionnaire” (MSEQ). The mathematic scores of students will be taken for the first and second semester to compare between them and to see if there is a significant relationship between school practices and mathematics self-efficacy and mathematics outcomes. The findings indicate that there is a significant difference in students’ perception about their school practice and mathematic self-efficacy based on their achievement and according to ANOVA test, there is a relationship between school practices and mathematic self-efficacy. The result from this study can be generalized to the population of all schools in the Arab Sectors in Israel. Moreover, we can use the questionnaires obtained in the study to identify the strengths and weaknesses of schools in their teaching and learning process and to focus on improving their latter, at the same time maintaining the strength of their teaching strategies.

The relation between teaching the Arabic language using humour and reading comprehension at Elementary School in the Arab Sector in Israel

This research examines the extent to which the integration of humorous literary texts in teaching the Arabic language affects achievement in reading comprehension among Grade 4 pupils in the Arab sector in Israel. This research is the first one in the field. Research on the integration of humour in the study of Arabic language as first language does not exist so far. There are very few studies dealing with the integration of humour in the learning process of Arabic as a second language (only three were found). Hence, there are no studies dealing with the integration of humour in the educational field in the Israeli Arab sector. The research took place in one school in the Bedouin sector in the South of Israel. It was based on one experimental class and one control class The study examined the level of the pupils’ knowledge in all components of comprehension: explicit and implicit content, interpretation and integration, evaluating texts and drawing conclusions. The experimental classes studied six humorous stories whereas the control classes studied six stories without humour. The results of the experiment show that the achievements of pupils who learned comprehension using humorous stories was much higher than those in the control classes. In addition, a more positive learning environment was reported in the experimental classes.

ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE ARAB SECTOR IN ISRAEL AS A RESULT OF THEIR ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE INTEGRATION OF THE NATIONAL ICT PROGRAM IN TEACHING

This study aims to examine the relationship between principals' policies in the Arab sector in Israel and their attitudes towards the integration of the national ICT program in teaching, their implementation of this policy and the integration of ICT in their schools, as well as their impact on the implementation of ICT among teachers. The study included 20 schools and 345 teachers and principals.
 The results of the study indicate that the manager's positive attitude toward ICT improves the perception of teachers' responsibility and autonomy, while the perception of responsibility and autonomy among them significantly improves the implementation of ICT in practice.

Misconceptions among Middle School Students Regarding the Conservation of Mass during Combustion

This study focuses on the misconceptions of eighth-grade students in the Arab sector compared to the Jewish sector regarding the conservation of mass during combustion in a closed system and in an open system before the subject is taught, and to what extent the misconceptions change after it is taught. Students (N=195) from six heterogeneous classes were asked to fill in a ten-question questionnaire twice: once before the subject was taught and again afterwards. The findings indicated that students’ understanding improved more with respect to closed systems compared with open systems; before the subject had been taught the situation was very similar for both cases. The students’ explanations were based on visual arguments and showed that there was confusion concerning the effect of chemical, physical, and state of matter changes on the conservation of mass during combustion. Regarding the comparison between the conceptions of eighth-grade students in the Arab and Jewish (N=105) sectors, students in the Arab sector had better achievements in closed systems, whereas Jewish students gave more correct answers to questions in open systems. The study’s findings can help middle-school students and their teachers understand that physical and chemical changes do not affect mass in a closed system, and that students should learn to distinguish between conservation of mass in open and in closed systems.

School principals’ sense-making of their leadership role during reform implementation

In the face of the dynamic tension between internal goals and external reform demands, school principals’ role has become increasingly more complex and their sense-making more crucial. Yet, research has paid little attention to the significant role principals perform as sense makers in local reform implementation processes. This study explores high school principals’ perceptions and enactment of and for their role in the implementation of a national education reform. Through a sense-making lens, this qualitative study explores principals’ considerations while they perceive and enact their role within a national reform. This study investigates data from interviews with 60 Israeli high school principals implementing the national reform in state (Jewish and Arab sectors) and religious-state schools from all school districts. Data analysis has yielded three major themes: (a) caring for teachers’ needs; (b) preserving leadership discretion; and (c) adjusting to school reality. Results demonstrate the principal’s role as an active sense-maker in times of education reforms. Exploring principals’ perceptions within the framework of sense-making may contribute to the scholarship and to the practice of the complex leadership role in times of national reforms.

Trend and Demographic Characteristics of Maxillofacial Fractures in Level I Trauma Center.

The aim of this study was to analyze the pattern and treatment of craniomaxillofacial injuries in the northern part of Israel, within a Jewish majority and large Arab minority population. A 5-year retrospective study evaluated patients treated for craniomaxillofacial fractures. Fracture cause, type, site, and patient demographics were evaluated. Patient age ranged from 1 to 94 years with an average age of 36.7 years; 52% of the victims were Jews and 48% Arabs. There was male predilection in both sectors (78.3% vs 21.7%). The main site of injury was the zygomatic bone (33.5%) followed by nasal bone, orbital, mandible, frontal sinus, and maxillary fractures. The main etiology of injuries was falls (45.4%) with significantly more falls reported by females (52.1% vs 43.2% in males). Motor vehicle accidents caused injuries more frequent in males. Arabs experienced CMF fractures at a younger age compared to Jews (27.8 and 44.8 average age, respectively). In the elderly, the trend reversed where Jews were more prone to craniomaxillofacial fractures. Compared to their weight in the population, the Arab sector experiences more craniomaxillofacial injuries. The Jewish elderly population tends to reside in nursing homes where they are more susceptible to accidental falls, whereas young Arab males are more exposed to motor vehicle accidents and interpersonal violence. Falls were the main cause of injuries particularly in women. This may reflect the women's fear of reporting domestic violence. We believe that increased government investments in infrastructures and education will lower the incidence of craniomaxillofacial trauma and balance the gap between both sectors and sexes.

Israel’s Arab sector high schools

Despite the global decline in the number of girls who study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects, in Israel, gender differences of physics students are especially worrying. Although girls and boys in junior high school reach similar achievements in physics, the number of girls who study physics in high school is declining. However, an interesting picture emerges when we compare the Arab and Jewish sectors: Girls account for 30% of all high school students who study physics in the Jewish sector, compared to almost 60% in the Arab sector. Interviews with Arab high school students in an advanced physics program indicate that although girls face internal and external obstacles in patriarchic Arab society, they transform these obstacles into factors that motivate them to greater achievements, in order to gain self-confidence and a more stable, promising economic future in their society. These findings challenge conventional theories that explain the gender gap in STEM subjects.

Family Relations and Elder Care Among Arabs in the North of Israel.

The study examined family relations and elder care, in light of the modernization processes that are taking place in the Arab sector. Interviews with 25 older adults, 27 family members, and 5 paid home care workers of an Arab origin were conducted. Qualitative analysis consisted of constant comparisons and contrasts of relevant themes. Most Arabs reported that intergenerational solidarity is very strong in the Arab sector. Whereas many older adults and a few of their family members tended to favor paid care, the majority of Arab family members and fewer older adults stated that family care is preferred. Finally, a third theme outlined the desired properties of care, which consists of a true mix between formal and informal care. The study points to two sources of tension between (a) older adults and their family members and (b) perspectives on care held by the National Insurance Institute and the Arab sector.

The Influence of the Illustrations on the Understanding of the Hebrew Written Text in the Elementary School in the Arab Sector in Israel

This article examines the impact of illustrations and images in the Hebrew textbooks on the students’ understanding of the texts, and the extent of using details out of these illustrations in the process of understanding of the written text, furthermore, their impact on developing imagination and discussions on the basis of these drawings within class. The Arab students begin to learn Hebrew in the third grade, after spending the last two first years in studying their native language, a process which involves great efforts, for the gap between the Arab spoken language and the literary one is great. By the time the students begin to learn Hebrew as a second language, most teachers use a variety of illustrative tools in order to demonstrate tasks and material. The use of images to describe words is the first stage, then using of illustration to present the text’s subject, becomes the next phase. In this phase, the illustrations mediate between the student and the textbook, replacing the role of words and enable the students, who are not capable of using the Hebrew language quite good yet, to learn the new words. This study examines the relation between illustrations and textbooks through Hebrew class observations and interviewing of the students in the third and fourth grades in the “Terra Santa School” at Acre.

The Factors that Affect the Process of Integration and Application of the ICT Program in the Arab Education System in Israel

The article explores the connection between the level of the teacher’s pedagogic technical knowledge and assimilating an ICT program in school in the Arab sector in Israel, and the impact of the teachers’ attitudes on assimilating ICT programs. The research findings indicate that when the teacher thinks that the change is correct, and that it is worthwhile for the system to assimilate it better, one can understand that the teacher’s readiness for change is most important. One can thus learn that the teacher’s trust in the goals of the change is crucial in order for it to be effective. Although the change is in the ICT field, the research findings hone the need to emphasize the pedagogic aspect and the extent of its impact on the success of assimilating and applying the ICT.

Emotional Attachment Patterns and Parenting Styles as Predictors of Emotion Regulation among Arab Kindergarten Children

The current study examines the contribution of emotional attachment patterns and parenting styles as predictors of emotion regulation among Arab kindergarten children. Emotion regulation is defined as the strategic ability to regulate the internal situation and the emotional expression within a broader framework of self-control (Cole, ZahnWaxler, & Smith, 1994). The prevailing definition of self-control is the ability to comply, to initiate and terminate a task in accordance with the situation, to regulate the strength, the frequency and duration of verbal and motor activities, to delay gratification and to behave in a manner acceptable to society in the absence of external factors (Kopp 1982). The importance of this study stems from a lack of studies on this topic in the Arab sector. In addition, the research will contribute to the expansion of knowledge on the subject, and also to the development of workshops for kindergarten teachers and mothers that will deal with the subject of emotion regulation and its importance to children’s development and their adjustment. The current study endeavors to find an answer to the following questions: Does a relationship exist between parenting styles and emotion regulation ability among kindergarten children? Does a relationship exist between emotional attachment styles and emotion regulation ability among kindergarten children? Keywords: emotional attachment patterns; parenting styles; emotion regulation; kindergarten children

Emotional Attachment Patterns and Parenting Styles as Predictors of Emotion Regulation among Arab Kindergarten Children

The current study examines the contribution of emotional attachment patterns and parenting styles as predictors of emotion regulation among Arab kindergarten children. Emotion regulation is defined as the strategic ability to regulate the internal situation and the emotional expression within a broader framework of self-control (Cole, ZahnWaxler, & Smith, 1994). The prevailing definition of self-control is the ability to comply, to initiate and terminate a task in accordance with the situation, to regulate the strength, the frequency and duration of verbal and motor activities, to delay gratification and to behave in a manner acceptable to society in the absence of external factors (Kopp 1982). The importance of this study stems from a lack of studies on this topic in the Arab sector. In addition, the research will contribute to the expansion of knowledge on the subject, and also to the development of workshops for kindergarten teachers and mothers that will deal with the subject of emotion regulation and its importance to children’s development and their adjustment. The current study endeavors to find an answer to the following questions: Does a relationship exist between parenting styles and emotion regulation ability among kindergarten children? Does a relationship exist between emotional attachment styles and emotion regulation ability among kindergarten children? Keywords: emotional attachment patterns; parenting styles; emotion regulation; kindergarten children

THE IMPACT OF THE BOLOGNA REFORM ON THE ARAB STUDENTS IN ISRAEL

The Bologna reform, which began in 1999, created many changes in the academic system in all countries. One of its contributions was the beginning of academic mobility among students and faculty members. The impact was also on population sectors within the countries. Students from the Arab sector in Israel find themselves looking to study in other countries. Article visualizations:

Critical reading of talkbacks discourse as separatist integration: on the Israeli 2004 Football Cup victory

The historic victory of the Arab Bnei Sakhnin Union Football Club in the 2004 Israeli State Cup finals triggered an active public discourse about the Arab sector’s position in Israeli football and in Israeli society in general. The study’s premise is that the victory of an Arab club in the Jewish state’s National Cup games and the events surrounding it outside the football pitch are thematically inseparable. Content analysis of talkbacks on the Ynet online news site revealed the Israeli public discourse about the difficulties and complexities involved in the integration of Arab citizens in a Jewish state.

Self-fulfillment Development among the Arab Sector in Israel

Self-determination and fulfillment are central components of personal development in both developing and developed societies. These terms are used frequently by many researchers, especially in the work by Maslow, who particularly emphasized this concept.This article presents a roadmap of sorts that describes the factors that can leverage and promote a process that leads to self-fulfillment and the sources from where these factors are derived among Arab sector in Israel. Most importantly, it defines a professional protocol and its components. This is a route that will be certain to prove useful, understandable, and applicable for parents and professionals.

Intention of Mothers in Israel to Vaccinate their Sons against the Human Papilloma Virus

PurposeThis study investigated the intention of mothers in Israel to vaccinate their sons against HPV, using the Health Belief Model (HBM) as a framework, while comparing between Arab and Jewish mothers. Design and MethodsThe study has a quantitative cross-sectional design. A convenience sample of 200 Jewish and Arab mothers of boys aged 5–18 completed a questionnaire based on the HBM. ResultsThe research findings indicate that only 14% of the mothers, constituting mostly Arab mothers, vaccinated their sons against HPV. Moreover, mothers showed a moderate level of intention to vaccinate their sons. This level was similar among Arab and Jewish mothers. However, the health beliefs of Jewish and Arab mothers differed. The HBM was found to explain 68% of mothers' intention to vaccinate their sons against HPV, and the perceived benefits of the vaccine were the factor most affecting this intention. ConclusionsAlthough mothers' health beliefs concerning vaccinating their sons against HPV may vary between sectors, the HBM can be used to explain what motivates mothers to vaccinate their sons. Practice ImplicationsThe research findings can assist in designing a national project among mothers of boys aimed at raising HPV vaccination rates, in both the Jewish and the Arab sector.

Libraries in Israel

Thesis/Objective – This article provides background on Israeli society and on Jewish culture, on the basis of which the development of libraries in the State of Israel is examined. A review is provided on the various types of library: the national library, academic libraries, public libraries, and school libraries in the Jewish and Arab sectors. In addition, the institutes of professional education and the central bodies in the field are detailed: the professional organizations and the bodies of interlibrary collaborations. Research methods – literature review and content analysis. Results/Conclusions – The review presented in this paper regarded libraries both in the period preceding the proclamation of the independent state of Israel (although in brief, as a background to later developments) and from the proclamation of the state (1948) until today. This is one of the many chapters in the story of the Israeli-Jewish society, which strove to establish institutes of education and culture even before it became an independent society – and certainly afterwards.