EDUCATION FOR A NEW ERA: STAKEHOLDERS’ PERCEPTION OF QATARI EDUCATION REFORM

The paper reports the results of a qualitative research study that explores principal, teacher, and parent perceptions with regard to Qatar’s education reform, Education for a New Era (EFNE) launched in 2004. The study focuses on the effects of the reform on each group, their perceived advantages and disadvantages of the reform, and the challenges they face in the implementation of EFNE. Data for this study was collected through an open-ended questionnaire. The results point to the positive effects of EFNE on improving instruction, principals' leadership style, and learner attitude to education. These stakeholders believe that the reform is too ambitious and sometimes unrealistic. The three groups also report challenges that revolve around the amount of extra effort and work it requires from them, the continuous reform changes, and the threats to the local culture and language. Discussion and conclusions are provided regarding EFNE

Influence of the practicum experience on student teachers' beliefs about their role in EFL classrooms

As worldwide educational reforms link educational outcomes with teacher performance, teachers are increasingly pressured to adopt several roles that reflect these new demands. Thus, the purpose of the study was to investigate student teachers' perceptions of their roles and whether these beliefs underwent certain changes during the practicum experience. It also explored the factors within the socio-cultural context that may have influenced the development of their beliefs. A qualitative research methodology was employed, which involved the collection of empirical data from multiple sources including pre- and post-interviews, weekly journals, and mid- and post-reflective essays. The results revealed the intricate nature of student teachers' beliefs about their roles and the processes of belief change. Despite the apparent flexibility of these beliefs, the results revealed the divergence between the student teachers' anticipated roles and their actual roles. To facilitate student teachers' belief change towards the goals of the teacher preparation program as well as those they had initially anticipated for themselves, several recommendations include the necessity of establishing closer partnerships between universities and schools, the exposure to multiple social learning activities, a careful consideration for student teachers' procedural concerns, and the attention to the subtle power relationships that play out during the practicum experience.Scopu

Qatar’s Educational Reform: The Experiences and Perceptions of Principals, Teachers and Parents

This study describes the implications of the massive Qatari educational reform, Education For a New Era (EFNE), from the perspectives of teachers, principals, and parents provides insight into these stakeholders perceptions regarding how EFNE has impacted teaching and learning and the new challenges they face. This qualitative study uses open-ended questionnaires, focus groups and interviews. Survey data is collected from 18 Independent Schools including 17 principals, 413 teachers and 565 parents and interviews with 17 principals, 26 teachers and 50 parents. Findings describe the effects, impact, the challenges and the advantages and disadvantages of EFNE on these stakeholders.Qatar Foundation’s National Priorities Research Program Grant No. 4205503

Comparing three approaches of spatial disaggregation of legacy soil maps based on 1 DSMART algorithm

Enhancing the spatial resolution of pedological information is a great challenge in the field of Digital Soil 34 Mapping (DSM). Several techniques have emerged to disaggregate conventional soil maps initially 35 available at coarser spatial resolution than required for solving environmental and agricultural issues. At the 36 regional level, polygon maps represent soil cover as a tessellation of polygons defining Soil Map Units 37 (SMU), where each SMU can include one or several Soil Type Units (STU) with given proportions derived 38 from expert knowledge. Such polygon maps can be disaggregated at finer spatial resolution by machine 39 learning algorithms using the Disaggregation and Harmonisation of Soil Map Units Through Resampled 40 Classification Trees (DSMART) algorithm. This study aimed to compare three approaches of spatial 41 disaggregation of legacy soil maps based on DSMART decision trees to test the hypothesis that the 42 disaggregation of soil landscape distribution rules may improve the accuracy of the resulting soil maps. 43 Overall, two modified DSMART algorithm (DSMART with extra soil profiles, DSMART with soil 44 landscape relationships) and the original DSMART algorithm were tested. The quality of disaggregated soil 45 maps at 50 m resolution was assessed over a large study area (6,775 km2) using an external validation based 46 on independent 135 soil profiles selected by probability sampling, 755 legacy soil profiles and existing 47 detailed 1:25,000 soil maps. Pairwise comparisons were also performed, using Shannon entropy measure, 48 to spatially locate differences between disaggregated maps. The main results show that adding soil landscape 49 relationships in the disaggregation process enhances the performance of prediction of soil type distribution. 50 Considering the three most probable STU and using 135 independent soil profiles, the overall accuracy 51 measures are: 19.8 % for DSMART with expert rules against 18.1 % for the original DSMART and 16.9 % 52 for DSMART with extra soil profiles. These measures were almost twofold higher when validated using 53 3x3 windows. They achieved 28.5% for DSMART with soil landscape relationships, 25.3% and 21% for 54 original DSMART and DSMART with extra soil observations, respectively. In general, adding soil 55 landscape relationships as well as extra soil observations constraints the model to predict a specific STU 56 that can occur in specific environmental conditions. Thus, including global soil landscape expert rules in 57 the DSMART algorithm is crucial to obtain consistent soil maps with clear internal disaggregation of SMU 58 across the landscape

Reflections of scientific literacy team members related to use of reading strategies

The efficacy of reflection in improving teaching practices has long been recognized. Deconstructing reflective conversations provides a window into thinking; tracking changes in those conversations over time can reveal the level of understanding and levels of growth and development of those involved. This qualitative study analyzes the reflection of teachers participating in a six-week project, the goal of which was to improve reading instruction. It analyses the breadth, depth, and content of their weekly sessions and relates this to observed classroom practice. The sample for this pilot project was eleven teachers in two preparatory schools, one for boys and one for girls. Each team consisted of teachers in science, English, or scientific English from either the seventh or eighth grade level. Each week the groups were given a professional development session focused on some aspect of reading instruction, then collaboratively planned a lesson that one member of the team would teach the following week and that all members would observe. The focus of this study, however, is the collaborative reflection conducted at the first of the next week's session, in which the team members evaluated and critiqued the lesson. These conversations, paired with the classroom observations of the lesson they were critiquing, revealed what they did and did not understand from the professional development and what was and was not incorporated into practice. The sessions were recorded, transcribed, coded, and entered into frequency charts. This presentation, however, will focus on the qualitative analysis of the sessions - the meaning making - of the interactions of the participants and what these interactions revealed about their learning and teaching of the targeted outcomes. A better understanding of the nature of collaborative reflection can help teachers and teacher educators use reflection to improve the effectiveness of professional development.qscienc

Language Teacher Cognition in Applied Linguistics Research: Revisiting the Territory, Redrawing the Boundaries, Reclaiming the Relevance

Understanding language teachers’ mental lives (Walberg, 1972), and how these shape and are shaped by the activity of language teaching in diverse sociocultural contexts, has been at the forefront of the sub discipline of applied linguistics that has become known as language teacher cognition. Although the collective research efforts within this domain have contributed critical insights into what language teachers know, believe, and think in relation to their work (cf. Borg, 2006), limited progress has been achieved in addressing some of the most pertinent questions asked by applied linguists, policy makers, and the general public alike: How do language teachers create meaningful learning environments for their students? How can teacher education and continuing professional development facilitate such learning in language teachers? By revisiting the domain's epistemological, conceptual, and ethical foundations, this special issue sets an agenda for reinvigorated inquiry into language teacher cognition that aims to redraw its current boundaries and thus reclaim its relevance to the wider domain of applied linguistics and to the real‐world concerns of language teachers, language teacher educators, and language learners around the world

Approach to tolerance mechanisms of Atriplex halimus subsp. halimus L. with salt and metallic and metalloid trace elements : perspectives for its management on the territory of the Calanques National Park

Sur le PNCal, une équipe a pris en compte la pollution par les activités industrielles passées et travaille pour concilier les objectifs de gestion de la pollution diffuse et de conservation de la biodiversité. Atriplex halimus est une espèce spontanée réputée invasive en zone protégée. Il est utile de fournir des critères pour décider de son maintien pour la phytostabilisation ou de son éradication sur le domaine maritime salin et polluée par le Pb et l’As. La bibliographie et l’examen des photos aériennes du site depuis 1925 n’indique pas d’implantation récente et d’invasion par A.halimus. L’étude in situ montre la résistance aux métaux lourds et à l'As d’Atriplex halimus le long d'un gradient de contamination et dans une zone soumise aux embruns. Cette étude synchronique a été prolongée par la démonstration d’une fluctuation des indicateurs de santé des parties aériennes et des symbiontes racinaires associée aux variations physiologiques saisonnières. Ex situ on a testé la germination, la croissance et les transferts sol-plante sur une gamme de pollution des sols du PNCal. Les résultats: une inhibition de la croissance dans les sols du PNCal liée à la pollution, la salinité et l’oligotrophie des sols. Nous avons ajouté la contribution décisif la symbiose racinaire et l’adsorption des EMM sur la phase minérale. Cette étude montre que l'invasion potentielle de plantes tolérantes aux polluants est facilement expérimentée en analysant à la fois l’étude in situ des populations spontanées ainsi que les facteurs biotiques et abiotiques favorisant leur germination et leur croissance dans des analyses ex situ. Ceci apporte des outils décisifs pour les gestionnaires des zones protégées.On the PNCal, a multidisciplinary team has taken into account the pollution left by past industrial activities and works to reconcile the objectives of diffuse pollution management and biodiversity conservation. Atriplex halimus is a known invasive species in protected areas. It is necessary to provide criteria for deciding whether to maintain it for phytostabilisation or for its eradication on the maritime domain subject to seaspray and lead and arsenic pollution. The bibliographic analysis and examination of the aerial photographs of the site since 1925 does not indicate a recent implantation and invasion by A.halimus. The in situ study shows Atriplex halimus resistance to heavy metals and arsenic along a contamination gradient and in the saltspray area. This synchronic study was prolonged by the demonstration of a fluctuation of the health indicators of the aerial parts and the root symbionts associated with the seasonal physiological variations. We tested germination and growth of A. halimus ex situ and the soil-plant transfers on a wider range of soil pollution from the PNCal. The results: an inhibition of A.halimus growth in soil of PNCal related to soil pollution, salinity and oligotrophy. To the physiological tolerance to TMM mentioned in the bibliography, we added the determinant contribution of root symbiosis and the adsorption of TMM on the mineral phase. This study shows that the potential invasion of pollutant-tolerant plants can be easily tested by analyzing both the in situ study of spontaneous populations as well as the biotic and abiotic factors favoring their germination and growth in ex situ analyzes. This method provides decisive tools for managers of protected areas

Biophysical assessment of ecosystem services from cultivated soils -Adaptation of pedological information for dynamic modeling of soil functioning

Les sols rendent de nombreux services écosystémiques essentiels au maintien de la vie planétaire. Toutefois, ils sont soumis à une pression croissante pour satisfaire les demandes d’une population croissante en matière de production alimentaire et énergétique. En vue d’une meilleure gestion, des outils d’aide à la décision intégrant la diversité des sols sont nécessaires pour évaluer l’impact des activités anthropiques sur l’évolution des sols. Cette thèse se focalise notamment sur le développement d’une méthodologie de mise à disposition de l’information pédologique contenue dans les bases de données existantes (1/250 000) par une approche de désagrégation spatiale en vue de l’évaluation de six services écosystémiques des sols cultivés.Le couplage des données locales, des données spatialisées avec une précision connue et de la modélisation dynamique permet en premier temps de produire des indicateurs de services écosystémiques des sols cultivés et en deuxième temps d’évaluer l’effet de la source de l’information pédologique sur les services écosystémiques instruits. Les résultats obtenus montrent l’apport de la cartographie numérique pour la production de l’information pédologique nécessaire à l’évaluation des services écosystémiques. Ils permettent également d’identifier les voix d’amélioration possibles pour proposer une voie hybride d’évaluation des services écosystémiques couplant la modélisation et les proxies. Il s’agit ainsi de promouvoir la prise en compte des sols dans des stratégies de gestion durable et de planification territoriale.Soils provide many ecosystem services essential to sustain human life and socio-economic development. However, soils are subjected to increasing pressure from current activities, including intensive land use to satisfy demands of a growing population for food and energy. To improve soil management, decision-support tools that consider soil diversity are required to assess impacts of human activities on soil dynamics. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a methodology to enhance existing pedological information (1: 250,000) using spatial disaggregation technique in order to estimate in space soil ecosystem services.By combining field observations, disaggregated soil data with known accuracy and dynamic modelling, six soil ecosystem services indicators were firstly assessed, to be then used to evaluate the sensitivity of estimated soil ecosystem services to the source of soil information. The main results highlight the contribution of digital mapping to produce relevant pedological information for assessing soil ecosystem services from cultivated soils. Future research must be performed to improve pedological information availability and soil ecosystem services assessment procedure by coupling dynamic coupling and proxies. Overall, this work emphasize the need to produce soils consideration in sustainable management strategies and territorial planning

Evaluation biophysique des services écosystémiques des sols cultivés - Adaptation de l’information pédologique pour la modélisation dynamique du fonctionnement des sols

Soils provide many ecosystem services essential to sustain human life and socio-economic development. However, soils are subjected to increasing pressure from current activities, including intensive land use to satisfy demands of a growing population for food and energy. To improve soil management, decision-support tools that consider soil diversity are required to assess impacts of human activities on soil dynamics. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a methodology to enhance existing pedological information (1: 250,000) using spatial disaggregation technique in order to estimate in space soil ecosystem services.By combining field observations, disaggregated soil data with known accuracy and dynamic modelling, six soil ecosystem services indicators were firstly assessed, to be then used to evaluate the sensitivity of estimated soil ecosystem services to the source of soil information. The main results highlight the contribution of digital mapping to produce relevant pedological information for assessing soil ecosystem services from cultivated soils. Future research must be performed to improve pedological information availability and soil ecosystem services assessment procedure by coupling dynamic coupling and proxies. Overall, this work emphasize the need to produce soils consideration in sustainable management strategies and territorial planning.Les sols rendent de nombreux services écosystémiques essentiels au maintien de la vie planétaire. Toutefois, ils sont soumis à une pression croissante pour satisfaire les demandes d’une population croissante en matière de production alimentaire et énergétique. En vue d’une meilleure gestion, des outils d’aide à la décision intégrant la diversité des sols sont nécessaires pour évaluer l’impact des activités anthropiques sur l’évolution des sols. Cette thèse se focalise notamment sur le développement d’une méthodologie de mise à disposition de l’information pédologique contenue dans les bases de données existantes (1/250 000) par une approche de désagrégation spatiale en vue de l’évaluation de six services écosystémiques des sols cultivés.Le couplage des données locales, des données spatialisées avec une précision connue et de la modélisation dynamique permet en premier temps de produire des indicateurs de services écosystémiques des sols cultivés et en deuxième temps d’évaluer l’effet de la source de l’information pédologique sur les services écosystémiques instruits. Les résultats obtenus montrent l’apport de la cartographie numérique pour la production de l’information pédologique nécessaire à l’évaluation des services écosystémiques. Ils permettent également d’identifier les voix d’amélioration possibles pour proposer une voie hybride d’évaluation des services écosystémiques couplant la modélisation et les proxies. Il s’agit ainsi de promouvoir la prise en compte des sols dans des stratégies de gestion durable et de planification territoriale

Environmental, Social, and Governance Disclosure, Ownership Structure and Cost of Capital: Evidence from the UAE

The capital structure decision is one of the most vital financial decisions of the corporation that consists of determining the optimal combination of equity and debt for the companies that would reduce the cost of capital. The examination of the capital structure has always gained importance especially in the theoretical and empirical studies while there is no study of the relationship between the environmental, social, and governance (ESG), the ownership structure, and the cost of capital. In this context, this paper aims to examine the potential impacts of the ESG disclosure and ownership structure on the cost of capital by using a sample of 30 companies listed on the UAE financial markets (Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange and Dubai Financial Market) during the period 2010–2019. The data show that there is an increasing trend in the different non-financial corporate disclosures. The empirical results of various models show that the ESG disclosure, the insider and the institutional ownerships have negative and significant impacts on the cost of capital. Furthermore, the environmental and the governance disclosures reduce the cost of capital. This paper demonstrates the strong role played by the ESG disclosure and the ownership structure in reducing the cost of capital for the companies. These results would encourage the companies in implementing the best practices of the non-financial disclosures and regulating their corporate governance mechanisms