Effective higher educational practices - A survey of student engagement

The quest for excellence in teaching and learning in higher education is a world-wide concern. Universities and colleges have responded to the challenge for higher quality in instruction by looking closely at the nature of the typical teaching and learning environment. It is concurred that the quality of undergraduate education largely depends on the quality of teaching provided by faculty. This paper reports on a research project that seek to obtain information about the undergraduate educational experience at a university. In particular, the study focuses on the extent to which undergraduate students engage in good educational practices. An instrument is administered to random samples of final year students to identify the level of student engagement and aspects of the undergraduate experience that could he improved. Findings revealed that the students perceived their campus environment as supportive of their academic needs. They also reported adequate levels of academic challenge and participation in enriching experiences. Nevertheless, students reported lower levels of interaction with faculty members and in active and collaborative learning. Results from the study point to the need for institutional improvement efforts in order to transform undergraduate experience into more holistic and engaging learning environments

The study of Quranic teaching and learning: United Kingdom experience

Al-Quran is the revelation to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) started with the word “Iqra’’. Prophet (PBUH) had implemented five principles of al-Quran teaching and learning which his companions and the next generation follow until today. The model consist of Tilawah (good and fluency recitation), Tafahum and Tafsir (knowing and understanding the meaning), Tatbiq (appreciate and implantation of the teaching in daily life), Tahfiz (memorizing some verses for practice and reciting during prayer) and Taranum (reciting al-Quran with a good voice and proper song). In this part of the article, the main areas of discussion will be how the Qur’an is taught in the Muslim community in particular in their mosques, madrasas and community centres and hence their method of teaching and then how it is perceived by the audience i.e. the students, teachers and also parents. The study found that the teachers have been using a variety of strategies in implementing quranic teaching and learning, some teaching methods such as conventional and others reflect new methods taking into consideration the different abilities of the children. This style of teaching totally ignores the quality of recitation and teaching with the rules of Tajwid. This article will then lead to a conclusion, which will include some suggestions on how to improve the main curriculum and how the Qur’an should be taught