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From Heritage to Sustainability: The Future of the Past in the Hot Arid Climate of the UAE
No full textAchieving future energy objectives and promoting social, economic, and environmental
sustainability can be inspired by heritage and historic structures, which make up a sizeable component
of the existing building industry. Heritage architecture and urban sites are known for their capability
of positive interaction with the climate to provide better thermal conditions, beside their capability of
strengthening cultural identity and improving the economic sector for the related sites. Thus, the
main purpose of this research is to highlight the positive sustainable effects (social, economic and
environmental) for a proposal of conserving and reconstructing a vernacular heritage architecture
site in the hot arid climate in the UAE. The research used a qualitative methodology based on
multicriteria descriptive schemes beside ENVI-met software. The research’s findings presented the
capability of the conserved heritage area to strengthen the social and cultural identity and improve
the economic sector. Moreover, the results demonstrated that the conserved heritage district had a
better microclimate and predicted mean vote for outdoor thermal comfort compared to the basic
case heritage district prior to rehabilitation and another modern district. The conclusion promotes
heritage conservation in hot arid climates and encourages the preservation of vernacular architecture
and traditional sites to achieve the sustainable goals for creating sustainable cities that can mitigate
climate change
Analysing the behavioural, psychological, and demographic determinants of financial decision making of household investors
No full textAdding to the behavioural science domain, the principal idea behind the study is to investigate
the impact of an array of behavioural, psychological, and demographic factors on financial de
cision making. The study utilizes a structured questionnaire to collect the opinions of 634 in
vestors using a blend of random and snowball sampling techniques. The partial least squares
structural equation modelling has been used to test hypotheses. PLS Predict has been applied to
estimate the out-of-sample predictive power of the proposed model. Finally, the multi-group
analysis has been applied to assess the differences across gender. Our findings attest the rele
vance of digital financial literacy, financial capability, financial autonomy, and impulsivity on
f
inancial decision making. Additionally, financial capability partially mediates the nexus between
digital financial literacy and financial decision making. Also, Impulsivity negatively moderates
the relationship between financial capability and financial decision making. The overall results of
this comprehensive and unique study portray the influence that various psychological, behav
ioural, and demographic factors have on financial decision making, favouring the design of a
feasible and lucrative financial portfolio to ensure financial well-being of households in the long
run
The Impacts of Technology Readiness and Attitude Towards Technology for Optimal Technology Integration: A Study among School Leaders and Teachers at Selected Schools in Fujairah
No full textIn today's fast-paced world, it is crucial to incorporate technology into educational environments to ensure the best possible academic outcomes. Nevertheless, the process of integration poses numerous challenges that impede the progress of educators, administrators, and school leaders. This study, conducted in three public schools in Fujairah, UAE, involves 43 participants, comprising 40 educators and 3 leaders, with interviews from one public school, selected due to its diverse educational environment and emphasis on integrating technology. Data gathering employs a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys and questionnaires. The key findings focus on the three most important challenges identified, providing a nuanced understanding of the issues faced by educators in Fujairah. The study's implications underscore the need for targeted professional development and attitude-shaping initiatives.
This study aims to identify and address the challenges faced in integrating technology into education. The goal is to provide strategies backed by evidence that can lead to successful technology integration. Some of the challenges that have been identified include the lack of access to necessary tools, a shortage of professional development opportunities, resistance to embracing innovation, concerns surrounding data security, and a shortage of technical support. The success of technology initiatives is also influenced by the attitudes and readiness of educators. Utilising relevant literature and theories, this study delves into the obstacles encountered by educators, administrators, and school leaders. By examining a specific case study that focuses on the effects of personalised professional development initiatives, this research underscores the significance of cultivating a favourable mindset when it comes to embracing technology. The research aims to uncover obstacles, delve into perspectives and beliefs, and assess preparedness for the integration of technology. Significant findings indicate that customised professional development programmes greatly improve the integration of technology. The attitudes and perceptions of educators are vital in highlighting the importance of a supportive technological environment. The study suggests implementing strategies such as targeted professional development, attitude-shaping initiatives, and supportive systems to address these challenges. The research has made substantial contributions, but its restricted focus on a particular Fujairah school has limitations. Research may expand to include more educational institutions. In conclusion, this research illuminates the barriers to technology integration in education, underpinning evidence-based initiatives to support technology use
TEACHING STRATEGIES USED IN INCLUSION SCIENCE CLASSES TO DEVELOP SCIENCE LEARNING OF STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN DUBAI
No full textOne of the most important things for students with LD to do to improve their
science learning is for their science teacher to be ready to provide the right adaptations,
accommodations, resources, and methods in a general classroom setting. As part of a PhD
dissertation, this research paper is meant to look at the strategies’ science teachers use to
help students with learning difficulties learn science in the middle grades of private
schools in Dubai. The goal is to answer the question, " What practices do science teachers
have to develop science learning among students with LD in middle schools in Dubai?" A
sequential mixed approach has been used to answer this research question, including a
science teacher’s questionnaire and a semi-structured interview of some science teachers.
A 33-item questionnaire based on the study had been piloted to test the consistency of the
items after they were revised by experts in the education field. 156 science teachers in
different private schools in Dubai have responded to the questionnaire. The researcher then
held a semi-structured interview with 14 science teachers individually to gain a deeper
understanding of their point of view regarding the teaching strategies used in their classes.
Except for a few highlighted points, the data collected and independent t-test results show
that there are no significant differences in using one strategy over another in science
classes. The research study confirmed that in the Dubai context, participants in this survey
stressed the need for science teachers to learn about various learning difficulties so they
may better understand how to instruct these students, which requires cooperation among
all the stakeholders in the educational process to work together with clear goals and
strategies to raise the science teachers’ performance
Connection - Issue 3 Summer 2023
No full textTable of Contents
Diversity & Multiculturalism Articles
01 A Woman in the Automotive Industry / Shaikha Alfuqaei
04 Living in an Era of Fake News and Pluralism / Abdulrahman Al Ali
05 Finding Identity in a Multicultural Society / Ma Althea Faye Bohol Retig
07 The Divide in the Room / Raghad Aly
10 The Value of Multicultural Education / Lin Sabbagh
13 Language Barriers in Education Hend Rashed Nasrallah
Faculty Blogs
18 The Top AI App for University Students / Dr Tendai Charles
20 Hack Your Brain / Dr Ashmiza Mahamed Ismail
Philosophy Articles
24 Curiosity: A Blessing or a Curse: The Myth of Pandora’s Box Marwa / Ismail Ali
26 Déjà Vu / Zeina Hussein
27 Justice / Batool Mourad
29 The Meaning of Life / Fatima Budebes
31 The Social Contract Theory / Dareen Magdy Hossein
34 The Ubermensch According to Friedrich Nietzsche / Alanood Warsh
Perceptions of Science Teachers Regarding Instruction that Increase High School Students' Motivation to Learn Science in Al Ain City
No full textThe current study was carried out to investigate the high school science teachers’ perceptions regarding instruction that increases high school students’ motivation to learn science in Al Ain City. The sample consists of 24 high school science teachers selected randomly from three schools in Al Ain City. The mixed-methods design was applied. A questionnaire was used to collect qualitative data, and at the same time, two tools were used to collect quantitative data: open-ended questions and interviews conducted with ten teachers. The questionnaire consisted of 36 items distributed equally among three dimensions: teachers’ attitudes, teachers’ knowledge, and teachers' skills, each consisting of 12 items. To analyze the responses of the participants, several statistical methods were used, including means, standard deviations, percentages, and estimations of the perceptions of instructors. To find the difference between the sample means on the demographic variables, an independent T-test and a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used. After reviewing all the results, it appeared that all items in the three domains (attitude, knowledge, and skills) received an agreed-upon estimation according to the science teachers’ perceptions. This result means that all the instructions used in the questionnaire increase students’ motivation to learn science, except item number 26. For the demographic variables, the gender of the teacher affects their attitude and skill in favor of male teachers. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences due to the age of the instructor, and these differences were in favor of teachers who were thirty years old and older. Whereas, there are no significant differences due to the instructor’s qualification, teaching experience, or subject taught. Based on the study results, it was recommended that more research be done. This study recommended that other studies be conducted on science instruction that increases students’ motivation to learn science using a broader sample to include other schools and other educational stages and with a larger sample size of teachers. The study also recommended using the results of this study for the benefit of science teachers and suggested holding seminars and courses for science teachers to demonstrate the best educational instruction they can use to improve science learning
Investigating Emirati Students’ Practices of Learning Block-Based Programming in an Online Learning Context: Evidence from a UAE National Program
No full textThis open access book presents contributions on a wide range of scientific areas originating from the BUiD Doctoral Research Conference (BDRC 2022)Purpose The primary purpose of this study is to investigate Emirati students’ perceptions about a two-week online programming course.
Methodology A mixed-method approach was used to report a two-week program experience in which 913 Emirati students engaged in a programming course. During the program, students’ progress and achievements were observed. At the end of the program, a survey was distributed amongst students for them to report on their perceptions about the experience
Educating Learners with SEND in One Private Mainstream School in Dubai: Effectiveness and Challenges of Policy Implementation
No full textThis open access book presents contributions on a wide range of scientific areas originating from the BUiD Doctoral Research Conference (BDRC 2022)This study investigates the SEND policy implementation in one private school in Dubai. It highlights whether the school’s teachers and support staff adopted and effectively implemented the SEND inclusion policy. The investigation process focuses on three areas which are curriculum modifications, Assessment differentiation, and teacher’s professional development. A qualitative research study of semi-structured interviews has been conducted to investigate the effectiveness and challenges of SEND policy implementation; for this purpose, interviews were conducted with the school’s teachers for data analysis; the researcher has decided to use the qualitative approach because it shows a subjective evaluation of beliefs, behaviour, and attitudes, the total number of participants were two subject teachers and one school principal. This study investigated all the significant aspects, and the overall result was conducted to provide the proper recommendations. The qualitative study findings indicate that the school policy implementation is very effective, and teachers’ awareness of the inclusion policy is appropriate. Nevertheless, they face difficulties in accommodating students’ needs in the classroom due to the massive number of students in each classroom. Also, it showed that the inclusion support team acts as a backbone in supporting the teachers through the weekly meetings, which help them modify the curriculum and accommodate the assessment for their students. In terms of challenges, the school has few numbers of inclusion support teachers; therefore, it leads to some challenges teachers face when implementing the policy
The Role of Experts in Construction Disputes
No full textThis dissertation explores the pivotal role of technical experts in the resolution of construction disputes, with a specific focus on the United Arab Emirates. Construction disputes are inherently complex, often involving complicated technical details and significant financial implications. As such, experts in the construction industry assume a critical role in providing impartial, specialized, and authoritative opinions to assist judges and arbitral tribunals in arriving at informed decisions. This study comprehensively examines the qualifications, appointment processes, obligations, and responsibilities of experts in both on-shore litigation and arbitration proceedings. Additionally, it scrutinizes the methodologies that experts employ in the investigation, the content of their reports, and the experts’ questioning process. Furthermore, it draws attention, where appropriate, to the distinctions in the procedures between litigation and arbitration. Of paramount importance, this study sheds light on the procedural irregularities among experts, which can significantly impact the credibility and admissibility of expert witnesses. Therefore, having a comprehensive understanding of the role of experts becomes imperative in a jurisdiction where judges and arbitral tribunals heavily rely on expert opinions to render conclusive and enforceable judgments and arbitral awards in construction disputes
The impact of leadership on employees’ performance while working remotely, a case study of DEWA in Dubai
No full textThe current investigation sets out to discover the impact of varying leadership approaches on staff performance at DEWA amidst the “COVID-19” pandemic, a time marked by an upsurge in “remote work”. We focused our attention on four distinctive leadership styles: “transformational”, “transactional”, “autocratic”, and “laissez-faire”. Moreover, we considered the potential moderating effects of “intrinsic motivation” and the equilibrium between work and personal life.
Our findings reveal that “transformational leadership” played a substantial role in boosting “employee performance” and promoting a healthy “work-life balance”. “Transactional leadership” displayed a marginal influence on “employee performance”, while autocratic and “laissez-faire leadership” styles demonstrated no noteworthy effects. A fascinating finding was the positive moderating role of “intrinsic motivation”, which intensified the correlation between “transformational leadership” and “employee performance”.
The implications of this study underscore the need to embrace “transformational leadership” practices at DEWA in order to cultivate a more efficient “remote working” atmosphere in the post-COVID landscape. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of fostering “intrinsic motivation” within the workforce to achieve improved performance results. Future research endeavors are encouraged to delve into other leadership styles and potential moderating factors within similar contexts of “remote work”