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Augmented Reality Integration for Enhanced English Vocabulary Acquisition among Elementary Students with Special Educational Needs in an American Private School in Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Perspectives of Special Education and English Teachers on the Challenges and Potential
No full textThe current study explores the perspectives of special educational needs (SEN) teachers and English teachers regarding the effectiveness of utilizing augmented reality (AR) in enhancing vocabulary acquisition among elementary students with special educational needs in an American private school in Dubai. The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with a purposeful sampling that included six English teachers, four special educational needs teachers, and six learning support assistants. As the study follows a qualitative approach, a detailed description of the participants’ perspectives has been provided. The study has attempted to answer the following questions: 1) What are the perceptions of English teachers regarding the effectiveness of augmented reality in enhancing vocabulary acquisition for elementary students with special educational needs?, 2) How do Special Education teachers evaluate the suitability of augmented reality as a tool for supporting vocabulary application among students with diverse learning needs?, 3) What are the identified challenges, if any, in integrating augmented reality for vocabulary development among students with special educational needs, as perceived by both English and Special Education teachers?, and 4) What strategies and recommendations do teachers propose to optimize the use of augmented reality in catering to the individualized vocabulary learning requirements of students with special educational needs in an American private school in Dubai? The study found that integrating AR has shown effectiveness in the retention and application of newly acquired words among students with various special educational needs. Additionally, it has explored the main challenges along with recommendations to strengthen the effectiveness of using AR technology in special education
The Challenges Facing Adopting Innovation Process in the Context of Project Management Performance in the Oil and Gas Sector
No full textThis open access book presents contributions on a wide range of scientific areas originating from the BUiD Doctoral Research Conference (BDRC 2023)Purpose – This paper explores the challenges and enablers of diffusing innovation processes within the oil and gas industry and the impact on the project management process in improving project performance.
Methodology – This study employs a qualitative analysis methodology with a structured survey to provide the data for this study.
Findings – The anticipated study findings will aid in identifying the primary obstacles to and facilitators of implementing innovation systems within the ecosystem of the oil and gas sector.
Implications – It is crucial to carry out follow-up research on integrating the “green innovation” concept to confirm the viability of establishing a conceptual framework for critical variables affecting the adoption of the innovation process within the energy industry.
Originality – Discussing the innovation process concerning project management and performance contributes to a broader understanding of a sustainable innovation process that supports expanding the oil and gas industry
The Role of Family Language Policy in Reversing Intergenerational Language Shift in the Case of Jordanian Expatriate Families in Dubai
No full textThis study explores the problem of Intergenerational Language Shift (ILS) from Arabic to English amongst second-generation bilingual children from Jordanian expatriate parents’ perspective. It seeks to unravel the crucial role that Family Language Policy (FLP), if it exists, plays in reversing this language shift and preserving the Arabic language and identity from a sociolinguistic standpoint. The research is underpinned by Fishman’s Language Shift Theory (LS) and Spolsky’s Family Language Policy Theory (FLP). The study applied a qualitative cross-sectional case study. It employed a qualitative multimethod approach to gather and corroborate the data from three participant groups: the preexisting textual data was retrieved from postings of concerned Jordanian mothers in a Facebook group for six years, focus group discussions of Jordanian school educators contributed insights about the problem of ILS and corroborated the findings from a different vantage point, parents in four volunteer Jordanian families were interviewed and shared their perceptions, language practices, and strategies to reverse the ILS. The parent interviews were supported by audio recordings of their children’s natural speech. This study conducted a content analysis of mothers’ digital postings, and a thematic analysis of the educators’ focus groups and parents’ interviews using NVivo Software. It also employed a linguistic analysis of children’s natural speech, focusing on Codeswitching (CS) as a marker of LS. Results showed that this speech community is fully aware of the phenomenon of ILS to English in the case of the second generation. Mothers, educators, and parents placed significant value on additive bilingualism while reflecting the profound value of their mother tongue for communication at home and connecting with their parents, speech community, extended family, Arab heritage, Muslim faith, ethnic group, and homeland. Additionally, the interviewed parents were proactive in implementing their family language policies to reverse this ILS, although their level of effort and time commitment varied at times to achieve additive bilingualism where Arabic remains strong in their bilingual children. Thus, this study unraveled several implications of the subtractive model and LS on expatriate Jordanian children as part of the larger Arabic-speaking expatriates in Dubai. Despite its limited sample size and context, this study may hold relevance for many Arabic-speaking expatriates in the UAE, GCC, and the broader Arab world. Additionally, it contributes to the existing literature on FLP, LS, bilingualism, and Arabic sociolinguistics
Assessing the Relationship Between Spiritual Intelligence, Organisational Culture, and Employee Performance in Real Estate Companies in Dubai
No full textThis thesis investigates the impact of spiritual intelligence on employee performance in Dubai-based real estate companies. The objectives of this thesis are to investigate the direct effects of spiritual intelligence on employee performance, as well as the mediating role of organisational culture on the relationship between spiritual intelligence and employee performance, and the type of organisational cultures that have this mediation effect. The study uses a quantitative approach, with data collected via online questionnaires from full-time employees in Dubai-based real estate companies. The sampling technique used in this research is simple random probability sampling. Data were collected from 232 respondents who are full-time employees of real estate companies in Dubai, with 70 indicator questions measuring spiritual intelligence, organisational culture, and employee performance. Data analysis such as regression, path, and mediation analysis were done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS). The findings of the research indicate that there is a direct relationship between spiritual intelligence and employee performance. Moreover, the findings show that organisational culture partially mediates the relationship between spiritual intelligence and employee performance. However, not all types of organisational culture have a mediation effect on the relationship between spiritual intelligence and employee performance. Cultures that prioritise certain values and behaviours, such as rewards, stability, and performance orientation, create an environment where spiritual intelligence translates more effectively into improved performance. Conversely, cultures that are highly competitive or focused on social responsibility may not facilitate the same effect, weakening the transmission of spiritual intelligence into performance outcomes. This research contributes to existing knowledge at the theoretical level, through the validation of existing tools to measure spiritual intelligence, organisational culture, and employee performance. At the empirical level, this study is one of the first to investigate the impact of spiritual intelligence on employee performance in real estate organisations in Dubai, as well as the mechanism by which each type of organisational culture influences employee performance
Situational and Individual Factors Influencing Undergraduate Students’ Willingness to Communicate in English in the UAE
No full textThis study explores the factors influencing undergraduate students' Willingness to Communicate (WTC) in English within UAE universities' multicultural and multilingual context. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected through surveys and interviews with students and teachers. The findings reveal that individual factors such as self-confidence, motivation, and anxiety significantly impact students' WTC, alongside situational factors including classroom environment, group size, and the nature of speaking tasks. Teachers play a crucial role in shaping WTC by creating supportive environments, adjusting instructional methods, and employing strategies that enhance communication, such as personalized feedback and group activities. The research highlights a gap between teachers' perceptions and students' self-reported WTC, particularly in challenging situations, indicating a need for more targeted strategies to build student confidence. This study contributes to understanding WTC in a diverse educational setting and offers practical recommendations for educators to foster effective communication in English language classrooms
A Data-Driven Decision-Making Framework for Fleet Management in the Government Sector of Dubai
No full textData-driven decision-making has become increasingly widespread and relevant across all business areas, including private and public sectors. My research aims to develop a data-driven decision support framework for fleet management, focusing on leveraging advanced algorithms, including decision trees and random forests, to generate domain-specific AI models. These models are applied on top of ISO 55001 to create A data-driven decision-making framework for fleet management in the government sector of Dubai. The proposed framework comprises key elements: Important Decisions derived from interviews with transportation leaders, Knowledge Management enhanced by AI algorithms, Data Mining/Analysis utilizing historical data, the Fleet Management System employing Oracle ERP, and a Data-Driven Decision Support Framework that leans towards the extended framework approach. The framework is validated through three domain expert interviews; the insights gleaned from the experts have instilled a sense of optimism regarding its theoretical efficacy and its capacity to adeptly tackle the distinct challenges encountered within the realm of government fleet management in Dubai. The approach involved 12 interviews with Dubai Municipality's fleet managers, an analysis of industry standards, and a literature review. Key decisions, including predicting vehicle cancellations and developing a maintenance plan, were identified. A prediction model for vehicle cancellation, using the Random Forest Classifier, demonstrated high accuracy (F1 score of 0.8824). Additionally, an AI model predicting heavy vehicle failures with gradient-boosted trees achieved 68.09% accuracy
Examining the Role of Innovative Leadership in Enhancing Student Achievement: Strategies and Outcomes
No full textThis research study examines the influence of innovative leadership tactics on student performance, emphasizing approaches and outcomes within various educational settings. As educational environments become increasingly complex, school administrators need to address the issue of reconciling established traditional approaches with the necessity for innovative practices that improve learning outcomes. This study seeks to examine how innovative leadership strategies might foster a culture of continuing development, cooperation, and adaptation among educators, thereby augmenting student success. The study used a mixed-methods approach, integrating qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with school administrators, while quantitative data collected by questionnaire administered to teachers. Key themes that emerged highlight the significance of a growth-oriented educational atmosphere, proficient communication, and the incorporation of real-world applications in learning activities. Administrators emphasized the important role of mentoring, professional development, and explicit goal setting in fostering effective teaching methods. Nonetheless, they also acknowledged considerable challenges, including reluctance to change, constrained resources, and time limitations. Research findings indicate that innovative leadership tactics enhance student engagement, critical thinking, and cooperation, however their effect on standardized academic outcomes is more complex. The study advocates for a more systematic approach to leadership that include focused professional development, improved communication, and assistance for gradual transformation. Moreover, cultivating a conducive atmosphere that promotes risk-taking and cooperation is vital. The study enhances the current research by offering insights into effective leadership tactics amid changing educational requirements. It provides practical suggestions for educational leaders aiming to implement innovation sustainably in accordance with educational objectives
Towards Gulf Emirati Dialect Corpus from Social Media
No full textThis open access book presents contributions on a wide range of scientific areas originating from the BUiD Doctoral Research Conference (BDRC 2023)Purpose: This paper discusses the need for a corpus of Emirati traditional phrases and idioms in natural language processing (NLP) for the Gulf Emirati dialect and its potential applications in fields like voice recognition, machine translation, and sentiment analysis.
Methodology: The researchers collected a corpus of more than 3000 traditional Emirati words and idioms by gathering data from several social media platforms, such as forums, YouTube, and Emirati radio stations. In addition, the researchers used the website scraping technologies to collect suitable resources, subsequently cleansing and organising the gathered material to ensure accuracy and consistency. A pilot investigation was undertaken, including an individual who is a native speaker of Emirati, in order to verify the precision of the dataset.
Findings: The researchers successfully compiled a substantial dataset of traditional Emirati phrases and idioms, so enabling potential future investigations in the realm of Arabic dialects, specifically focusing on Gulf Arabic dialects such as the Emirati dialect.
Implications: The compilation of Emirati traditional idioms and words presented in this study has potential practical effects in several domains such as medical, education, and business. These implications mostly revolve around enhancing communication among and with individuals proficient in the Emirati language.
Originality/Value: This study distinguishes itself by concentrating on the compilation of an NLP corpus comprising traditional Emirati phrases and idioms, with a specific emphasis on the Gulf Emirati dialect. The dataset generated as a result of this effort may prove indispensable for further studies into Arabic dialects
Sustainable Vs. Conventional Villa A Case Study of Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, Al Seyouh-Sharjah
No full textThe Gulf Region has witnessed rapid economic growth and infrastructural development beginning in the 21st century. The United Arab Emirates has emerged as one of the region's major economic and technological hubs due to its distinct commercial infrastructure, thereby growing its reputation. Against this backdrop, this paper's primary concern lies within the country’s housing infrastructure for its citizens.
As the country is undertaking massive housing projects as part of its ongoing infrastructure progress, the paper seeks to inform the government about cost reduction techniques to alleviate the government and its citizens’ pockets in the housing sector while enhancing sustainability. These techniques are critical considerations for reducing utility costs with optimized efficiency.
The four critical proposed parameters in this respect are HVAC, lighting parameters, building envelope, and solar water heaters. The study has found that HVAC systems with a higher coefficient of performance upgraded from the current 3.4 to 3.6 and 4.1 provide a potential 2.3 to 7.0% energy savings and simultaneously enhance sustainability. The study has also found that optimizing lighting parameters with the proposed Lighting Power Density Scenarios achieves energy savings ranging from 10.4% to 13.9% in villas.
Furthermore, the study discovered that utilizing a more optimized range of U-Values in building envelopes can save housing utility energy, lowering annual costs for inhabitants by at least 10.9%. Finally, the report found that switching from conventional power to solar water heaters results in a 7.1% savings. Overall, the study discovered that applying all the above-mentioned parameters can result in total average energy savings ranging from 26% to 30%
The Role of School Leaders In Supporting Inclusive Educational Practices through Continuous Professional Developments: A Study among Selected Primary Schools in Abu Dhabi
No full textEnsuring inclusive education practices for students with disabilities in mainstream schools poses significant challenges for school leaders. Despite legal frameworks emphasising inclusion, some leaders struggle to effectively integrate and accommodate these students due to a lack of clear approaches and professional development. This study investigated the role of school leaders in supporting inclusive educational practices through continuous professional development (CPD) in selected primary schools in Abu Dhabi. The rationale lies in the pivotal role school leaders play in implementing inclusive education, making it crucial to understand their perspectives and challenges. CPD training emerges as a key tool to equip leaders with strategies for promoting inclusive practices, aligning with evolving global trends. The study drew from leadership theories highlighting leaders’ influence in fostering inclusive cultures and Rabin’s foundational concepts emphasising meaningful learning, social interaction and student empowerment for effective inclusive practices. A sequential mixed-methods design involving document analysis, surveys (n=163 participants) and focus groups captured quantitative and qualitative data from leaders, teachers and parents. While indicating overall support for inclusion, the study revealed concerns about teacher qualifications, resource availability and implementation gaps across schools. Effective leadership practices, collaboration and cultural sensitivity emerged as critical factors. Policy implications underscore the need for refining inclusive education guidelines. Leadership training is crucial for creating inclusive environments. Professional development should empower educators with inclusive teaching strategies. Recommendations include specialised leadership programmes, ongoing teacher training, collaborative planning, equitable resource allocation and promoting cultural understanding through training to enhance inclusive practices. This comprehensive study offers insights into the multifaceted challenges of inclusive education and the pivotal role of school leaders. The recommendations serve as a roadmap for stakeholders to foster more inclusive learning environments through collaborative efforts, continuous improvement and a nuanced understanding of the complex educational landscape