An Examination of the Qatari Licensure System: Giving Voice to Educators at Government-Funded Schools

The issue of developing a comprehensive licensure system aligned with professional standards for teachers and school leaders has received considerable attention in recent years. As part of the Qatari educational reform in recent years, teachers and school leaders are held accountable to offer quality education for all students. The current study thus examined the experiences of educators in Qatar with the licensure process currently implemented at government-funded school. Using a survey study design, a total of 1,669 participants expressed their perceptions on the strengths and weaknesses of the licensure system, the professional standards, and the professional portfolio. Findings included participants’ beliefs on the importance of the licensure system in improving their performance, the necessity of using the professional standards as tools for professional growth and development, and the importance of refining the professional portfolio for authenticity and reliability. Documenting teachers’ and school leaders’ voices was fundamental in finding ways to successfully drive future developments of the licensure system. The findings may also provide implications for other countries interested in developing or refining their own appraisal systems

Students' satisfaction at Jordanian universities and its relation to some variables

The purpose of this study is to determine and compare the importance and the various levels of satisfaction related to undergraduate students at public and private universities in Jordan. The study sample consists of 304 students distributed over two groups: public university (n = 120) and private university (n = 184). Means, standard deviations and three-way analysis of variance (MANOVA) are used to compare students’ perception to the levels of importance and satisfaction, and the mean difference between the two levels in two different institutions. All significant MANOVAs were followed by one-way ANOVA to determine which group differs significantly from the others. Results of the study reveal that students at public and private universities consider the importance of the Satisfaction Scales to be ‘somewhat important’. Students at public universities consider the satisfaction to be ‘neutral’, while students at private universities consider it to be ‘somewhat dissatisfied’. In general, students at public and private universities believe the performance gap levels to be high.peer-reviewe

Changing from a traditional approach to learning: Teachers’ perceptions of introducing WebQuests into mathematics and science classrooms in Qatar

Several studies have identified stress factors that teachers might experience in changing from a traditional approach to a more student-centred IBL approach. In this study, we report on teachers’ perceptions following PD that introduced WebQuests as a didactic tool alongside ongoing classroom support into Qatari mathematics and science classrooms with students grades 4 to 8. The findings suggested that the use of WebQuests as a didactic tool provided a structure for many of the teachers that supported a change in teaching towards a student-oriented approach. Nevertheless, some stress factors remained, in relation to control of learning, managing time and classroom behaviour, and the integration of IT

Implementing dialogic inquiry in Qatari mathematics and science classrooms: Challenges and provocations

In relation to an international concern to encourage inquiry-based pedagogies in Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects and the issues of transfer in teacher professional development (PD), we report on the aspirations and perceived challenges of teachers in Qatar as they embark on PD to introduce inquiry-based learning into their mathematics and science classrooms. Data from initial interviews with eighteen teachers, with Grades 4 to 8 mathematics and science classes, were analysed in relation to challenge factors from inside and beyond their classrooms. The findings are used to provoke our awareness and understanding of the issues of shifting pedagogies that might arise during PD programmes

Changing from a traditional approach to learning: Teachers’ perceptions of introducing WebQuests into mathematics and science classrooms in Qatar

Several studies have identified stress factors that teachers might experience in changing from a traditional approach to a more student-centred IBL approach. In this study, we report on teachers’ perceptions following PD that introduced WebQuests as a didactic tool alongside ongoing classroom support into Qatari mathematics and science classrooms with students grades 4 to 8. The findings suggested that the use of WebQuests as a didactic tool provided a structure for many of the teachers that supported a change in teaching towards a student-oriented approach. Nevertheless, some stress factors remained, in relation to control of learning, managing time and classroom behaviour, and the integration of IT

A Narrative Study Exploring Content and Process Influences on Male Teachers’ Career Development

Through a Systems Theory Framework, the study explored the systems of influence on male teachers’ career development within individual, social, and environmental-societal contexts. Four male Qatari teachers recounted their stories of career past, present and future in this life history study. Narrative data from four female teachers were also collected to further understand teachers’ work in this context. Three main patterns emerged from the analysis, constituting the influences on becoming a teacher, on being a teacher, and on future prospects. Implications for policy and practice are proposed as a set of design directions for a multidirectional career development model.Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library

Exploring teachers’ perspectives on career development: Q methodology research

Recruiting, preparing and supporting teachers remain a public concern in many countries, with similar concerns voiced in Qatar. Using a Systems Theory Framework, this study explored the systems of influence on Qatari teachers' career development within individual, social, and environmental-societal contexts. Q methodology was applied, using a 40-statement Q-sample. Forty-two teachers participated in this study, including 27 males and 15 females. Results revealed four distinct perspectives with minimal consensus, and alluding to different career plans: (F-1) considering career prospects, (F-2) pursuing leadership positions, (F-3) surviving in the profession, and (F-4) contemplating leaving the profession. Implications for policy planning are discussed.This work was supported by the [Qatar National Research Fund QNRF] under Grant number NPRP13S-0209-200,319]. The funding source had no involvement in any part of the study design

Implementing dialogic inquiry in Qatari mathematics and science classrooms: Challenges and provocations

In relation to an international concern to encourage inquiry-based pedagogies in Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects and the issues of transfer in teacher professional development (PD), we report on the aspirations and perceived challenges of teachers in Qatar as they embark on PD to introduce inquiry-based learning into their mathematics and science classrooms. Data from initial interviews with eighteen teachers, with Grades 4 to 8 mathematics and science classes, were analysed in relation to challenge factors from inside and beyond their classrooms. The findings are used to provoke our awareness and understanding of the issues of shifting pedagogies that might arise during PD programmes