SACM - United States of America
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://drepo.sdl.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14154/9668
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Item Restricted LEARNING ENGLISH IN THE TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING CORPORATION (TVTC) IN SAUDI ARABIA: PERSPECTIVES OF FIRST YEAR STUDENTS(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-12-12) Daqdaqi, Rashed Ahmed; Dietrich, SarahThis study examines the perspectives of 35 first year students enrolled in the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). In light of the development strategy of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which places significant emphasis on the acquisition of foreign languages to facilitate economic diversification and growth, this research examined the perspectives and drives of students in relation to the learning of English. The study found that the participants mostly showed positive and hopeful attitudes when it came to learning English. This study offers significant contributions to the understanding of the intricate dynamics involved in the process of learning the English language among students from Saudi Arabia. It illuminates the various obstacles and possibilities that arise as they strive to achieve proficiency in the language. The research emphasizes the necessity of adopting an innovative methodology for teaching English in vocational and technical education institutions in Saudi Arabia. This approach should aim to tackle motivational challenges and ensure that language acquisition is in line with the changing demands of the Saudi economy and society.61 0Item Restricted Perspectives of Teachers of Students with Learning Disabilities on Parental Involvement in Jazan, Saudi Arabia: Experience, Obstacles, and Attitudes.(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-10-01) Almalki, Mohammed; McComas, JenniferParental involvement is an important component in education that is linked to positive outcomes in terms of academic performance and achievement. Much of the literature on parental involvement consists of studies located in the United States, while comparatively few studies pertain to parental involvement in the Gulf Nations, especially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). To address the current gaps in the literature, the present study sought to investigate the current status of parental involvement, including obstacles to parental involvement and attitudes towards parental involvement and parental empowerment, from the perspectives of teachers in Jazan province, KSA. A comprehensive survey was distributed through the Department of Education in Jazan province to elementary school teachers who work with students with learning disabilities (LD) in the region, and 50 teachers completed the digital survey. Descriptive analysis and inferential statistics were conducted to answer the study research questions. Results suggested that digital communication through apps like WhatsApp represented the most common form of parental involvement experience reported by teachers in this study, whereas in-person and school-based forms of parental involvement represented the least common forms of parental involvement experience reported by these teachers. In addition, teachers rated parent-related obstacles (e.g., parents’ limited knowledge of their own parental rights) as being substantially greater impediments to parental involvement compared to school/teacher-related obstacles (e.g., teachers’ limited time). In terms of attitudes towards parental involvement and parental empowerment, teachers most strongly agreed with the belief that parental involvement is critical to the academic and behavioral development of children with LD, and parents should be included in the decision-making process. Implications of these findings, as well as suggestions for future research, are discussed at-length in this study.44 0Item Restricted Sociolinguistics of Saudi Vision 2030: Paradigm Shift Through English F English Faculty’s Perspectiv erspectives of T es of Translanguaging at a Saudi anslanguaging at a Saudi University.(UNM, 2023-08-01) Masrahi, Naif Ali Y; Trentman, EmmaMany educational systems around the world insist on applying an English Only Policy (EOP) when teaching the English language at universities without addressing their contextual needs. In Saudi Arabia, this problem leads to reduced satisfaction among faculty regarding students’ English level (Alharbi & Alqefari, 2022; Alkhairy, 2013; Alqahtani, 2020; Alsaawi, 2019; Alshammari, 2022; Altale & Alta’ani, 2019; Alzahrani, 2019; Elyas & Picard, 2010). However, the new educational transformation promised by Saudi Vision 2030 (2016) supports the Arabic language as a mother tongue for Saudis, English as an important language, and the teaching of critical thinking to respond to current global economic challenges. This creates a space for adopting translanguaging practices in English language classrooms by helping learners access their linguistic repertoire to understand, think, communicate, and learn the language (García, 2009). Recent studies at Saudi universities on faculty perspectives on translanguaging are limited in terms of context, participants, and vii methodology (Alahdal, 2020a; Alharbi & Alqefari, 2022; Alqahtani, 2022; Altale & Alqahtani, 2020; Alzahrani, 2019). Therefore, this qualitative case research examined the perspectives of six Saudi and international faculty members regarding translanguaging at a Saudi university. It answered the question: What are the perspectives of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) faculty at a Saudi university toward translanguaging, and why? Following the theoretical framework of sociocultural and translanguaging theories (Vygotsky, 1978; García & Li Wei, 2014), the study utilized interviews, focus group discussions, and field notes to collect the data. The thematic analysis (Stake, 1995) showed a positive position among faculty members regarding translanguaging. They called on decision-makers to empower them to participate in making pedagogic decisions according to students’ needs. Importantly, translanguaging could support the educational transformation of Saudi Vision 2030 through its pedagogic practices and its ability to support learners’ critical thinking. Moreover, faculty reported low awareness of translanguaging, which would require increasing their awareness of its systematic adoption. The study concludes with implications and suggestions for further research and teaching policy modifications to include translanguaging when teaching English in the classroom.39 0Item Restricted A PROPOSED TRAINING PROGRAM EXPLORING THE FIRST WEEK EXPERIENCE OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AS PERCEIVED BY STUDENTS, THEIR TEACHERS, AND ADMINISTRATIONS AT JAZAN UNIVERSITY IN SAUDI ARABIA(Pensilvania State University, 2023-08-01) Almohammed, Sali; Brendel, William; Yoon, Hyung JoonEducation is crucial to every individual’s academic, social, and personal development. While recent years have shown a remarkable gain for people with disability, serious roadblocks still exist in society, most importantly, in the education system as they proceed on the path to equality. Disability is still the most indicated basis of discrimination under the code of human rights claims in Saudi Arabia, with significant systemic issues raised in education. The study aimed to examine the challenges faced by students with disabilities and identify the resources and support available to them. Furthermore, it sought to understand the attitudes and perceptions of teachers and administrators toward disabled students. The current study was conducted using exploratory narrative research, combining descriptive and explanatory research paradigm. The current research examined the experiences of disabled students and their teachers and administrators. The study focused on the students, administrators, and teachers of Jazan University in Saudi Arabia's South. The study was conducted to understand how disability affects students, teachers, and administrators during the first week of campus life. The data collected through interviews was used to analyze the impact of disability on students during their first week on campus. The researcher conducted 12 interviews, four from each category of participants (disabled students, administrators, and teachers (faculty). Thematic analysis was adopted to analyze the data. Four themes were extracted from the data —Social inclusion, accessibility and accommodations, institutional support, and attitudes toward disability. Every stakeholder who participated in the study is considered very educated and has a sense of issues regarding disability. The study highlights areas where improvements can be made to university premises globally and in Saudi Arabia, particularly to be more inclusive and supportive of students with disabilities. The findings of this study can be used to provide resources and support for disabled students to ensure that they can have a positive experience in their academic life. The findings offer significant implications for the Saudi education policy and practice in higher educational institutions to provide equal opportunities and education to students with disability.58 0Item Restricted Psychometric Evaluation of Traditional, Complementary, Integrative Medicine (TCIM) Attitudes Scale(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Maghrabi, Walaa; Fritschi, CynthiaThe use of traditional, complementary, integrative medicine (TCIM) has grown rapidly worldwide. In a direct response, the World Health Organization has called for promotion of safe and effective use of these treatment approaches through research, regulation, and integration into mainstream healthcare systems. Assessing attitudes toward TCIM enables healthcare providers and researchers to examine TCIM approaches that are prioritized by the local population. This helps to inform and initiate more targeted policies and services so that a culturally sensitive healthcare system can be established. However, no standardized instrument is currently available for measuring individuals’ attitudes toward TCIM. This dissertation research addressed this gap in the measurement field. The first manuscript aimed to identify the most influential factor driving TCIM use. An umbrella review was conducted to provide a comprehensive synthesize of the available evidence on the topic. Five factors were identified and critically analyzed. Findings of this review was the cornerstone for the development of the TCIM Attitudes Scale. The TCIM Attitudes Scale was thus grounded on the most influential factor driving TCIM use, which is treatment usefulness. Treatment usefulness denotes individuals’ perception of a treatment as useful in fulfilling their health needs. The perceived usefulness of a TCIM treatment may be based on scientific evidence or could be driven by a strong belief or even a hope in its benefits. The second manuscript aimed to describe the development of the TCIM Attitudes Scale and assess its psychometric properties. The scale consists of 10 items and is designed to gauge the degree to which an individual is convinced about the usefulness of a specific TCIM approach for a specific health condition. A cross-sectional survey study was conducted to assess the scales’ psychometric properties among women with infertility in Saudi Arabia. This empirical study provided preliminary evidence of the scale’s reliability and validity. The newly developed scale is expected to be useful in understanding populations’ health-seeking behaviors and health service demands regarding TCIM. It also offers a standardized measure allowing consistent collection and meaningful comparison of data.37 0