Education In United Arab Emirates Research Articles

Meta-analysis of research in childhood education program in the United Arab Emirates

This qualitative study analyses a range of 34 research papers with different topics related to the early childhood education system in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) such as child education content, special education system, policies, language and literacy, learning, professional development and other topics. In view of various research papers in UAE education, the paper explores children’s academic education programs and brings together different studies relating to the educational system in the country using a meta-analysis method. This research aimed to identify the current status of early childhood education in UAE. It also included the challenges that are faced by the early childhood education in the country and the development measure that are applied. At the end, a list of recommendations is listed regarding the six topics covered on the paper.

Barriers to programming education in UAE primary schools: a qualitative review from ICT teachers’ perspectives

PurposeDemonstrate the importance of programming, discuss the pedagogical philosophy of how programming is taught, identify the barriers to the proper implementation of programming education in United Arab Emirates (UAE) primary schools, and find solutions to overcome these barriers.MethodologyThe study adopted a qualitative approach. Thirteen ICT teachers, from different schools in the UAE, were interviewed to investigate their perception of the teaching of programming to primary students.FindingsThe good application of programming education in UAE schools is yet to be accomplished. There is a need to reform the teaching of programming in primary schools in the UAE and to raise awareness about it and its importance in the school domain (school principals, teachers, and students).ImplicationsOne significant implication is that teaching programming should be taken seriously by educational policymakers and school leaders as a core subject that should be taught to all students. The study also contributed to the growing body of literature on the value of programming skills and the role of the appropriate curriculum in developing these skills.Originality/valueThis study provides new insights at both practical and scholarly levels. It can shed light on the field's expansion prospects. The outcomes of this study may assist educational policymakers in better implementing programming education, particularly in primary school. Moreover, it helps teachers better prepare for the problems that primary students may encounter with learning programming in schools.

SEM-machine learning-based model for perusing the adoption of metaverse in higher education in UAE

The metaverse is an imaginary network of parallel universes. Using this technology might liven up dull lecture halls. By expanding synchronous communication into the "metaverse," many individuals may have meaningful conversations and exchange perspectives. This research focuses on finding out how medical students in the UAE feel about the metaverse system. The conceptual model incorporates elements from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), including perceived value and perceived ubiquity as adoption determinants. To test the validity of the suggested framework, a survey was developed and distributed to 369 full-time students at one of the universities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Machine learning (ML) and structural equation modeling using partial least squares (PLS-SEM) are used for data analysis. According to the results, the extent to which users saw value in and adoption of the metaverse system was a significant factor in whether or not they intended to participate. This study was helpful since it elucidated the relative significance of various healthcare components, allowing professionals to prioritize their efforts better.

Gifted education in United Arab Emirates: Analyses from a learning-resource perspective

Although the UAE does not possess a long history and experience in general education, the country has recently embarked on educational reforms that emphasize the provision of quality education for all, and at the same time ensure that exceptional individuals are provided with opportunities to attain their potentials as far as they can. The main purpose of this study was to review the current situation of gifted education in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from a learning resource perspective. In order to review the existing situation of gifted education in the UAE, the researchers utilized the procedures of document analysis and interviews. The analysis of documents and interviews revealed that the country has already made significant progress in some areas of gifted education, but there is still more work to be accomplished to attain the national goals. The results highlighted that the values of “student equity” and “student excellence” are two key features of the UAE educational system. The analysis of documents revealed that the current policy emphasizes that all students should be provided with equal opportunities and at the same time make sure that students with special needs are offered the right services and support and the needs of gifted and talented students are accounted for. It was also stated in different documents that other associations, ministries, and centers are offering some kinds of services for students with special talents. The study ended with some recommendations to aid continuous progress and direct future research.

Inclusive Higher Education in United Arab Emirates: Will Perceived Knowledge of Inclusion Impact Positively on University Students’ Attitudes Towards Learning With Peers With Disabilities?

Inclusive education is widely acknowledged as useful in promoting the involvement of all students. One core objective for the implementation of inclusive education is to promote acceptance and peaceful co-existence between students with disabilities and typically developing peers in classrooms. Since 2006, the federal government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has developed policies aimed at achieving inclusive education at all academic levels. However, the link between typically developing students’ perceived knowledge of inclusive education and their attitudes towards their peers with disabilities is understudied in the UAE context, especially at the university level; hence, this study aspired to assess those views. A revised Chedoke-McMaster Attitudes towards Children with Handicaps (CATCH) scale was adapted and completed by 233 university students. The data were subjected to a t-test, an analysis of variance (ANOVA), and linear regression. The findings showed feelings of negativity towards peers with disabilities. Interestingly, those who indicated they were unaware of inclusive policies held more positive perceptions of their peers with disabilities than those who stated otherwise. The study’s limitations, recommendations for future research, and implications for policymaking and practices are also discussed.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using e-Learning in University Education: Analyzing Students’ Perspectives

: The architecture of a learning system implies a heavy task for e-learning to be integrated into a complicated system that is flexible, time scalable, and capable of lasting, even though there are many diverse tools. Currently, higher education in United Arab Emirates is experiencing a major transformation, considering increased accessibility. Therefore, the study aims to identify the advantages and disadvantages of e-learning in university education in United Arab Emirates. A descriptive study design was used to randomly select students from Ajman university, who were enrolled in 2018/2019 academic year. A close-ended structured questionnaire was constructed to collect data from students. Frequencies and percentages were used to analyse the data collected. 81% students stated that e-learning provides scientific material in an interesting way. Similarly, 80% students have responded that e-learning increases the possibility of contact between students among themselves and between the students and the teacher. 73% students indicated that due to increasing social isolation, they spend more time in front of the technical means of social interaction account and face-to-face with others. 70% students have indicated that there is a presence of electronic illiteracy among parents, which reduces their ability to follow their children electronically. It is essential for potential e-learners to understand the differences between an e-learning classroom setting and a conventional classroom setting as there are both advantages and disadvantages of e-learning to both environments that can probably influence their overall performance as a student.

Investigating students' behavioral intention to use mobile learning in higher education in UAE during Coronavirus-19 pandemic

The study explores the impacts of fear emotions on technology adoption by teachers and students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mobile learning (ML) has been considered an educational, social platform in private and public higher education institutes. Since several fears are connected with COVID-19, this study's key hypotheses are related to how COVID-19 influences Mobile Learning (ML) adoption. Educators, teachers, and students may face some common types of fear in the course of the coronavirus pandemic, such as fear of losing social relationships, fear of educational loss and failure, and fear because of the lockdown of the family in the prevailing circumstances. Different theoretical models, named Expectation-Confirmation Model (ECM) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), are combined to develop an integrated model for this study. The proposed model was analyzed with the development of a questionnaire survey. The survey served as a data collection instrument to collect data from students of the University of Sharjah in Sharjah city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Three hundred twenty undergraduate students participated in the study. The collected data was evaluated using the partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The significant predictors revealed by experimental results included perceived fear, perceived ease of use, expectation confirmation, satisfaction, and perceived usefulness, explaining the intention to use the mobile learning platform. According to our study, teaching and learning can be benefitted to a great extent by the adoption of mobile learning (ML) during this pandemic for educational purposes; however, this process may be negatively affected by the fear of future educational results, fear of losing social relations and fear of stressful family situations. Therefore, appropriate student evaluation may be conducted to overcome the emotional distress caused by the pandemic effectively.

Globalization of Education in UAE: The Local Legislative Education Policies for International Branch Campuses and Its Tensions Given the Political, Religious, and Cultural Differences

Globalization has flourished many sectors of the society, including higher education. This article researches the existing literature of globalization of education in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the establishment of international branch campuses (IBCs), particularly in Dubai. UAE has its laws and legislations in place for IBCs which must be followed by all. There are different accreditation boards in UAE that universities undergo based on their type and locality within the country. Due to UAE having a strong political, religious, and cultural context, tensions are faced by IBCs and local students in ensuring the implementation of curriculum borrowed policies. Despite the tensions, it is seen that UAE has a steady increase in the growth of IBCs. This article further researches the tensions and reasons of the success of IBCs in UAE’s context.

Globalization of Higher Education in United Arab Emirates

Globalization of Higher Education in United Arab Emirates

The market route to higher education in UAE: its rationales and implications

Externalities with regards to higher education have increasingly being debated across the world, with many countries shifting part of the higher education responsibility to the individuals on the premise that it generates private benefits. The transformation of higher education from elite to mass system and inability of the government to shoulder the ever increasing burden of higher education; is cited as one of the reasons for adopting the market route to higher education and treating students as consumers. This consumerist turn to higher education has raised concerns about quality, critical pedagogy and the perception amongst employers that graduates lack skills. The market of higher education in UAE (United Arab Emirates) is relatively free and there are substantial numbers of higher education institutions giving consumers fair choice in deciding whether to pursue their education at public, private or University Branch Campuses (IBC). The purpose of this exploratory study is to evaluate the market of higher education in UAE with regards to quality and market acceptability of universities and colleges. As the higher education sector in UAE is predominantly teaching oriented, this exploratory study is intended to assess perceptions of employers about private higher education and thereby assess the effectiveness of market route. The study revealed that the employers prefer graduates from public universities or IBC’s as compared to private ones citing the concerns about student’s preparation for the world of employment. The policy implications for State and universities are discussed.