Sami Qatawneh - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Sami Qatawneh

Research paper thumbnail of Implementation of E-exams during the COVID-19 pandemic: A quantitative study in higher education

PLOS ONE, May 20, 2022

The primary aim of this study was to identify the degree of acceptance of e-exams by undergraduat... more The primary aim of this study was to identify the degree of acceptance of e-exams by undergraduate students at Ajman University during the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study used the descriptive approach. A questionnaire consisting of 27 items was distributed to 1986 undergraduate students. The results of the study showed that undergraduate students demonstrated a moderate degree of acceptance of the implementation of e-exams during the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, with females students finding them more acceptable than male students. Discipline and academic year also showed an impact on such acceptance, with Pharmacy & Health Science College students, and those in their third academic year demonstrating the highest levels of acceptance. Implications of the study raise awareness of the importance of addressing challenges associated with e-exams such as strict computer technology settings.

Research paper thumbnail of Effects and Perceptions of Mobile Learning in Higher Education

Emerging Science Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of mobile learning on students’ achievemen... more Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of mobile learning on students’ achievement in the grammar of the Arabic language, and their attitude towards the use of mobile learning. Methods/Analysis: The study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design, case study. The sample comprised 170 students, divided into two groups: an experimental group (n = 87) and a control group (n = 83). An achievement test and a questionnaire were used to collect data, which was analyzed using SPSS. Findings: The findings revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups, with the experimental group showing better scholastic achievement on the test. The results also show that the students of the experimental group were more positive towards mobile learning. Novel contribution: The study recommends further studies on the use of mobile learning in universities and schools. It is necessary to emphasize and focus on further studies on the use of mobile learning within un...

Research paper thumbnail of The Effect of Video Recording in Micro-Teaching Activities on Preparing Female Students in Teacher Education Programs in the GCC Countries

Review of International Geographical Education Online, Jun 14, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Does Blended Learning Improve the Academic Achievement of Undergraduate Students in the Mathematics Course?: A Case Study in Higher Education

Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 2021

The study aimed to identify the impact of utilizing blended learning in teaching mathematics (MTH... more The study aimed to identify the impact of utilizing blended learning in teaching mathematics (MTH121) course on the achievement of undergraduate learners at Ajman University. The researchers followed the quasi-experimental approach. The sample of the study consisted of (196) males and females split into two control and empiric groups. The empirical group was taught using the blended learning method and the number of its students reached (99), while the other group is the control group studied in the usual conventional method, and its students reached (97) students. The study used an achievement exam in addition. The study found that there were significantly important variations in the achievement exam among the empiric and control groups for the benefit of the empirical group.

Research paper thumbnail of Blended Learning in Higher Education: A Study of Its Impact on Students' Performance

iJET, 2021

The key goal of the paper is to study the influence of blended learning on the academic perfor-ma... more The key goal of the paper is to study the influence of blended learning on the academic perfor-mance of students of a statistics Bluman course at the University of Ajman. The study was implemented by means of a quasi-experimental design. The sample of the study was 268 students, grouped into two groups: one experimental group (n = 135) that used blended learning; and the other a control group (n = 133) which was educated using the traditional method. The researchers prepared the achievement test as a tool of study after verifying its validity and reliability. The findings indicated significant statistical differences among the mean scores on the students’ post-test achievement in the two study groups, in favor of experimental group students, who were educated through blended learning. Furthermore, the outcomes showed that the scores of the experimental group students were diverse based on the variable of gender (in favor of females), and based on the variable of students’ academic y...

Research paper thumbnail of The impact of game-based learning (GBL) on students’ motivation, engagement and academic performance on an Arabic language grammar course in higher education

Education and Information Technologies, 2021

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of game-based learning (GBL) on students’ ... more The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of game-based learning (GBL) on students’ motivation, engagement and academic performance on an Arabic language grammar course at Ajman University. The study was carried out utilizing a case study of quasi-empirical design. The respondents were 107 learners, grouped into two groups: one empiric group (n = 54) that used the game-based classroom response system; and the other a control group (n = 53) which was instructed using non-game-based methods. The game-based online assessment tool Kahoot! was used as a formative assessment method in the lectures, and a questionnaire was designed to measure motivation and engagement. The findings indicated that there were statistical differences in the benefit of the empiric group between the empiric and the control groups between the groups. Empirical group students showed more improved knowledge of the concepts taught on the Arabic language grammar course, and higher motivation than the students taught using the traditional strategy.

Research paper thumbnail of The representation of multiple intelligences in an intermediate Arabic-language textbook, and teachers’ awareness of them in Jordanian schools

Heliyon, 2021

The theory of Multiple Intelligences (MI) states that human intelligence is composed of different... more The theory of Multiple Intelligences (MI) states that human intelligence is composed of different types of intelligences and that each individual possesses all of them but to a different degree. The main objective of this research was to examine how the Theory of Multiple Intelligences was addressed in a seventh-grade Arabiclanguage textbook at the intermediate-level in Jordan and determine Arabic-language teachers' level of knowledge of applying the Theory of Multiple Intelligences in textbooks. The study used the survey method and analytical descriptive approach via content analysis and coding MI indicators in the textbook to examine the representation of MI in the textbook examined. The sample was composed of all units of a seventh-grade Arabiclanguage textbook. A questionnaire was distributed to 130 Arabic-language teachers. The study includes eight of the Intelligences from Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences (MI) Theory. The analysis found that the intelligences represented in the texts, activities, and exercises of the Arabic-language textbook were mostly Verbal/ Linguistic, Visual/Spatial and Interpersonal intelligences, with a combined percentage of 73%. The other 27% was shared between the other intelligence types: Intrapersonal, Naturalist, Logical/Mathematical, Bodily/Kinesthetic, and Musical intelligences. A moderated awareness on how to incorporate the theory of MI in Arabic-language textbooks was found among Arabic-language teachers, which means that teachers' understanding of the importance of including MI theory in the textbook needs reinforcement and improvement. The study suggests that further research on incorporating the Theory of MI in textbooks is needed.

Research paper thumbnail of The role of academic electronic books in undergraduate students' achievement in higher education

Heliyon, 2020

The study objective was to seek the role of utilizing academic electronic books on Ajman Universi... more The study objective was to seek the role of utilizing academic electronic books on Ajman University undergraduate students' achievement and faculty members viewpoints about their use. The study participants were 91 students, split into two groups the first group was empirical (46) and the other group was control (45) plus 220 members of the faculty. A performance test and a questionnaire were designed and implemented as tools of study. The results detected significant differences among both the empirical groups and the control groups, for the benefit of the empirical group; and faculty members exhibited highly favorable perspectives on the use of academic electronic books at their university. Faculty members' perceptions varied according to gender, college, and experience teaching, but the academic rank showed no influence.

Research paper thumbnail of The effect of blended learning on the achievement of HDE students in the methods of teaching Arabic language course and their attitudes towards its use at Ajman University: A case study

Education and Information Technologies, 2019

The UAE Ministry of Education strives to use modern technological and educational methods to teac... more The UAE Ministry of Education strives to use modern technological and educational methods to teach students in higher education institutions and to assure high-quality education. This study aims to investigate the effects of the use of blended learning on the achievements of students in a higher diploma in education (HDE) course at Ajman University. It compares the results of different ways of teaching the 'Methods of Teaching the Arabic Language course', and students' attitudes towards their use. The study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design case study. The participants of the study were 94 students, divided into two groups of equal sizes (n = 47): one an experimental group and the other a control group. An achievement test and questionnaire were designed to confirm the study's validity and reliability. SPSS was used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that there were statistically significant differences between the experimental and the control groups, in favor of the experimental group teaching method and students of this experimental group have attitudes have positive towards the using of blended learning. Their attitudes were in favor of the students with academic evaluation (GPA 3.5-4), Computer skills (Students with excellent computer skills) and finally, there was no statistical significance according to teaching experience. The study recommends further research into using blended learning in higher education institutions.

Research paper thumbnail of The citizenship values included in intermediate stage Arabic-language textbooks and teachers’ awareness of them in the UAE: A case study

Heliyon, 2019

This study aimed to identify the extent to which Citizenship values are included in Arabic-langua... more This study aimed to identify the extent to which Citizenship values are included in Arabic-language textbooks for the intermediate stage, and teachers' awareness of them in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In this study, the researchers used a descriptive-analytical approach. Study tools consisted of a list of citizenship values, the presence of which values these textbooks were analyzed for, in addition to a 20-item questionnaire that was administered to 140 teachers. The results showed that a total of 214 instances of citizenship values were contained in the Arabic-language textbooks, with representation of various values. The results also showed that Arabic-language teachers' awareness of the citizenship values included in those textbooks are at a high level, with an average AEstandard deviation of 3.67 AE 1.18. The study recommends that citizenship values should be included as an independent subject textbook in the educational curriculum.

Research paper thumbnail of The effect of blended learning on the achievement of ninth grade students in science and their attitudes towards its use

Heliyon, 2019

This study aimed to investigate the effects of blended learning on ninth grade students' achievem... more This study aimed to investigate the effects of blended learning on ninth grade students' achievement in science and their attitudes towards using it. It compares the results of various ways of teaching science topics, and students' attitudes towards their use. The study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design case study. The participants of the study were 112 students, divided into two groups: one an experimental group (n ¼ 61) and the other a control group (n ¼ 51). An achievement test and questionnaire were designed to confirm the study's validity and reliability. SPSS was used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that there were statistically significant differences between the experimental and the control groups, in favor of the experimental group, and the experimental group's attitudes were also more positive towards the using of blended learning. Their attitudes were in favor of students with academic performance in a science subject of the Performance level (Pass). The study recommends further research into the use of blended learning in higher education institutions.

Research paper thumbnail of E-Textbooks and Their Application Levels, from the Perspective of Faculty Members at Ajman University, U.A.E

International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 2019

The aim of this study is to identify the effectiveness of the use of e-textbooks implemented in u... more The aim of this study is to identify the effectiveness of the use of e-textbooks implemented in undergraduate programs at Ajman university from the faculty member’s perspective. The quantitative study applied an analytical descriptive approach on faculty member’s participants (128) from a variety of colleges, in the first academic semester of 2017/2018. The results of the study showed that there is a medium degree of application of e-textbooks and that e-textbooks have an average medium impact on student achievement. The results also showed that the degree of application vary from the perspective of faculty members’ according to gender which was in favor of the female, and according to college variable was in favor of the Business Administration college. Further, the results showed that there are not statistically significant differences according to Academic rank variable and experience variable. The faculty members agree on the need to develop and improve the features and requirem...

Research paper thumbnail of To E-textbook or not to E-textbook? A quantitative analysis of the extent of the use of E-textbooks at Ajman University from students’ perspectives

Education and Information Technologies, 2019

In an age of globalization and rapid technological development, the United Arab Emirates is commi... more In an age of globalization and rapid technological development, the United Arab Emirates is committed to merging technology into all higher education institutions. The purpose of this study is to identify the degree to which e-textbooks are used at Ajman University, from students' perspectives. The study was conducted using a descriptive research model, and a 30-item questionnaire was designed to be used as a data collection tool. After its validity was verified, the questionnaire was administered to 880 participants that were recruited from a variety of colleges during the first academic semester of 2017/2018. SPSS was used to analyze the data. The study findings reveal that students at Ajman University use e-textbooks at their university to a high degree. The analysis results also showed that the degree of use varied according to gender (with females being more likely to use them), college type (with Dentistry College students being most likely), and finally according to year of study (with those in their fifth academic year being most likely). The study recommends further research on the application and use of e-textbooks in higher education institutions.

Research paper thumbnail of Gender representation in the Arabic language textbook for the ninth grade approved by the Ministry of Education for use in schools in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Studies in Educational Evaluation, 2019

The aim of the present study was to investigate the gender representation in the Arabic language ... more The aim of the present study was to investigate the gender representation in the Arabic language textbook for the ninth grade in UAE. The criteria examined include the ratio of gender (female to male) appearances, the ratio of gender (female to male) aspects of religious and historical, educational professional, social and family, the traditional, the language used in the evaluation questions, titles of address for women, and order of mention. To examine these factors, the manual method of analysis was adopted. The findings revealed that the bias in favor of males is still prevalent, as the phenomenon of males-first-referring to the secondary status of women-is evident in the textbook examined. However, the findings also reveal the common use of the neutral title Ms to address women. Thus, it is recommended to correct gender representation in the textbooks used in educational settings to ensure fair gender representation in educational materials.

Research paper thumbnail of The perspective of students and faculty members on the efficiency and usability of e-learning course at Ajman university: A case study

Journal of Technology and Science Education, 2019

While there is much in the literature on the usability of the Course Management System (CMS) itse... more While there is much in the literature on the usability of the Course Management System (CMS) itself, there is little that looks at content of these CMS. This study aims to investigate the usability of the e-learning courses in Ajman University from the perspective of students and the faculty members. The e-learning usability evaluation questionnaire developed by Zaharias (2009) has been used as the main instrument for data collections in this study. Semi-structured interview is another instrument that has been used to investigate the e-Learning usability evaluation. This form has been used to collect the qualitative data from the faculty members. Research results revealed that the attitude of the majority respondents toward the usability of e-learning courses in Ajman University in general is strongly positive. Most of the participants in this study view the e-learning courses in Ajman university easy to use, easy to learn and have usable user interface. However, the first year stud...

Research paper thumbnail of Implementation of E-exams during the COVID-19 pandemic: A quantitative study in higher education

PLOS ONE, May 20, 2022

The primary aim of this study was to identify the degree of acceptance of e-exams by undergraduat... more The primary aim of this study was to identify the degree of acceptance of e-exams by undergraduate students at Ajman University during the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study used the descriptive approach. A questionnaire consisting of 27 items was distributed to 1986 undergraduate students. The results of the study showed that undergraduate students demonstrated a moderate degree of acceptance of the implementation of e-exams during the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, with females students finding them more acceptable than male students. Discipline and academic year also showed an impact on such acceptance, with Pharmacy & Health Science College students, and those in their third academic year demonstrating the highest levels of acceptance. Implications of the study raise awareness of the importance of addressing challenges associated with e-exams such as strict computer technology settings.

Research paper thumbnail of Effects and Perceptions of Mobile Learning in Higher Education

Emerging Science Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of mobile learning on students’ achievemen... more Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of mobile learning on students’ achievement in the grammar of the Arabic language, and their attitude towards the use of mobile learning. Methods/Analysis: The study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design, case study. The sample comprised 170 students, divided into two groups: an experimental group (n = 87) and a control group (n = 83). An achievement test and a questionnaire were used to collect data, which was analyzed using SPSS. Findings: The findings revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups, with the experimental group showing better scholastic achievement on the test. The results also show that the students of the experimental group were more positive towards mobile learning. Novel contribution: The study recommends further studies on the use of mobile learning in universities and schools. It is necessary to emphasize and focus on further studies on the use of mobile learning within un...

Research paper thumbnail of The Effect of Video Recording in Micro-Teaching Activities on Preparing Female Students in Teacher Education Programs in the GCC Countries

Review of International Geographical Education Online, Jun 14, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Does Blended Learning Improve the Academic Achievement of Undergraduate Students in the Mathematics Course?: A Case Study in Higher Education

Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 2021

The study aimed to identify the impact of utilizing blended learning in teaching mathematics (MTH... more The study aimed to identify the impact of utilizing blended learning in teaching mathematics (MTH121) course on the achievement of undergraduate learners at Ajman University. The researchers followed the quasi-experimental approach. The sample of the study consisted of (196) males and females split into two control and empiric groups. The empirical group was taught using the blended learning method and the number of its students reached (99), while the other group is the control group studied in the usual conventional method, and its students reached (97) students. The study used an achievement exam in addition. The study found that there were significantly important variations in the achievement exam among the empiric and control groups for the benefit of the empirical group.

Research paper thumbnail of Blended Learning in Higher Education: A Study of Its Impact on Students' Performance

iJET, 2021

The key goal of the paper is to study the influence of blended learning on the academic perfor-ma... more The key goal of the paper is to study the influence of blended learning on the academic perfor-mance of students of a statistics Bluman course at the University of Ajman. The study was implemented by means of a quasi-experimental design. The sample of the study was 268 students, grouped into two groups: one experimental group (n = 135) that used blended learning; and the other a control group (n = 133) which was educated using the traditional method. The researchers prepared the achievement test as a tool of study after verifying its validity and reliability. The findings indicated significant statistical differences among the mean scores on the students’ post-test achievement in the two study groups, in favor of experimental group students, who were educated through blended learning. Furthermore, the outcomes showed that the scores of the experimental group students were diverse based on the variable of gender (in favor of females), and based on the variable of students’ academic y...

Research paper thumbnail of The impact of game-based learning (GBL) on students’ motivation, engagement and academic performance on an Arabic language grammar course in higher education

Education and Information Technologies, 2021

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of game-based learning (GBL) on students’ ... more The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of game-based learning (GBL) on students’ motivation, engagement and academic performance on an Arabic language grammar course at Ajman University. The study was carried out utilizing a case study of quasi-empirical design. The respondents were 107 learners, grouped into two groups: one empiric group (n = 54) that used the game-based classroom response system; and the other a control group (n = 53) which was instructed using non-game-based methods. The game-based online assessment tool Kahoot! was used as a formative assessment method in the lectures, and a questionnaire was designed to measure motivation and engagement. The findings indicated that there were statistical differences in the benefit of the empiric group between the empiric and the control groups between the groups. Empirical group students showed more improved knowledge of the concepts taught on the Arabic language grammar course, and higher motivation than the students taught using the traditional strategy.

Research paper thumbnail of The representation of multiple intelligences in an intermediate Arabic-language textbook, and teachers’ awareness of them in Jordanian schools

Heliyon, 2021

The theory of Multiple Intelligences (MI) states that human intelligence is composed of different... more The theory of Multiple Intelligences (MI) states that human intelligence is composed of different types of intelligences and that each individual possesses all of them but to a different degree. The main objective of this research was to examine how the Theory of Multiple Intelligences was addressed in a seventh-grade Arabiclanguage textbook at the intermediate-level in Jordan and determine Arabic-language teachers' level of knowledge of applying the Theory of Multiple Intelligences in textbooks. The study used the survey method and analytical descriptive approach via content analysis and coding MI indicators in the textbook to examine the representation of MI in the textbook examined. The sample was composed of all units of a seventh-grade Arabiclanguage textbook. A questionnaire was distributed to 130 Arabic-language teachers. The study includes eight of the Intelligences from Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences (MI) Theory. The analysis found that the intelligences represented in the texts, activities, and exercises of the Arabic-language textbook were mostly Verbal/ Linguistic, Visual/Spatial and Interpersonal intelligences, with a combined percentage of 73%. The other 27% was shared between the other intelligence types: Intrapersonal, Naturalist, Logical/Mathematical, Bodily/Kinesthetic, and Musical intelligences. A moderated awareness on how to incorporate the theory of MI in Arabic-language textbooks was found among Arabic-language teachers, which means that teachers' understanding of the importance of including MI theory in the textbook needs reinforcement and improvement. The study suggests that further research on incorporating the Theory of MI in textbooks is needed.

Research paper thumbnail of The role of academic electronic books in undergraduate students' achievement in higher education

Heliyon, 2020

The study objective was to seek the role of utilizing academic electronic books on Ajman Universi... more The study objective was to seek the role of utilizing academic electronic books on Ajman University undergraduate students' achievement and faculty members viewpoints about their use. The study participants were 91 students, split into two groups the first group was empirical (46) and the other group was control (45) plus 220 members of the faculty. A performance test and a questionnaire were designed and implemented as tools of study. The results detected significant differences among both the empirical groups and the control groups, for the benefit of the empirical group; and faculty members exhibited highly favorable perspectives on the use of academic electronic books at their university. Faculty members' perceptions varied according to gender, college, and experience teaching, but the academic rank showed no influence.

Research paper thumbnail of The effect of blended learning on the achievement of HDE students in the methods of teaching Arabic language course and their attitudes towards its use at Ajman University: A case study

Education and Information Technologies, 2019

The UAE Ministry of Education strives to use modern technological and educational methods to teac... more The UAE Ministry of Education strives to use modern technological and educational methods to teach students in higher education institutions and to assure high-quality education. This study aims to investigate the effects of the use of blended learning on the achievements of students in a higher diploma in education (HDE) course at Ajman University. It compares the results of different ways of teaching the 'Methods of Teaching the Arabic Language course', and students' attitudes towards their use. The study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design case study. The participants of the study were 94 students, divided into two groups of equal sizes (n = 47): one an experimental group and the other a control group. An achievement test and questionnaire were designed to confirm the study's validity and reliability. SPSS was used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that there were statistically significant differences between the experimental and the control groups, in favor of the experimental group teaching method and students of this experimental group have attitudes have positive towards the using of blended learning. Their attitudes were in favor of the students with academic evaluation (GPA 3.5-4), Computer skills (Students with excellent computer skills) and finally, there was no statistical significance according to teaching experience. The study recommends further research into using blended learning in higher education institutions.

Research paper thumbnail of The citizenship values included in intermediate stage Arabic-language textbooks and teachers’ awareness of them in the UAE: A case study

Heliyon, 2019

This study aimed to identify the extent to which Citizenship values are included in Arabic-langua... more This study aimed to identify the extent to which Citizenship values are included in Arabic-language textbooks for the intermediate stage, and teachers' awareness of them in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In this study, the researchers used a descriptive-analytical approach. Study tools consisted of a list of citizenship values, the presence of which values these textbooks were analyzed for, in addition to a 20-item questionnaire that was administered to 140 teachers. The results showed that a total of 214 instances of citizenship values were contained in the Arabic-language textbooks, with representation of various values. The results also showed that Arabic-language teachers' awareness of the citizenship values included in those textbooks are at a high level, with an average AEstandard deviation of 3.67 AE 1.18. The study recommends that citizenship values should be included as an independent subject textbook in the educational curriculum.

Research paper thumbnail of The effect of blended learning on the achievement of ninth grade students in science and their attitudes towards its use

Heliyon, 2019

This study aimed to investigate the effects of blended learning on ninth grade students' achievem... more This study aimed to investigate the effects of blended learning on ninth grade students' achievement in science and their attitudes towards using it. It compares the results of various ways of teaching science topics, and students' attitudes towards their use. The study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design case study. The participants of the study were 112 students, divided into two groups: one an experimental group (n ¼ 61) and the other a control group (n ¼ 51). An achievement test and questionnaire were designed to confirm the study's validity and reliability. SPSS was used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that there were statistically significant differences between the experimental and the control groups, in favor of the experimental group, and the experimental group's attitudes were also more positive towards the using of blended learning. Their attitudes were in favor of students with academic performance in a science subject of the Performance level (Pass). The study recommends further research into the use of blended learning in higher education institutions.

Research paper thumbnail of E-Textbooks and Their Application Levels, from the Perspective of Faculty Members at Ajman University, U.A.E

International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 2019

The aim of this study is to identify the effectiveness of the use of e-textbooks implemented in u... more The aim of this study is to identify the effectiveness of the use of e-textbooks implemented in undergraduate programs at Ajman university from the faculty member’s perspective. The quantitative study applied an analytical descriptive approach on faculty member’s participants (128) from a variety of colleges, in the first academic semester of 2017/2018. The results of the study showed that there is a medium degree of application of e-textbooks and that e-textbooks have an average medium impact on student achievement. The results also showed that the degree of application vary from the perspective of faculty members’ according to gender which was in favor of the female, and according to college variable was in favor of the Business Administration college. Further, the results showed that there are not statistically significant differences according to Academic rank variable and experience variable. The faculty members agree on the need to develop and improve the features and requirem...

Research paper thumbnail of To E-textbook or not to E-textbook? A quantitative analysis of the extent of the use of E-textbooks at Ajman University from students’ perspectives

Education and Information Technologies, 2019

In an age of globalization and rapid technological development, the United Arab Emirates is commi... more In an age of globalization and rapid technological development, the United Arab Emirates is committed to merging technology into all higher education institutions. The purpose of this study is to identify the degree to which e-textbooks are used at Ajman University, from students' perspectives. The study was conducted using a descriptive research model, and a 30-item questionnaire was designed to be used as a data collection tool. After its validity was verified, the questionnaire was administered to 880 participants that were recruited from a variety of colleges during the first academic semester of 2017/2018. SPSS was used to analyze the data. The study findings reveal that students at Ajman University use e-textbooks at their university to a high degree. The analysis results also showed that the degree of use varied according to gender (with females being more likely to use them), college type (with Dentistry College students being most likely), and finally according to year of study (with those in their fifth academic year being most likely). The study recommends further research on the application and use of e-textbooks in higher education institutions.

Research paper thumbnail of Gender representation in the Arabic language textbook for the ninth grade approved by the Ministry of Education for use in schools in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Studies in Educational Evaluation, 2019

The aim of the present study was to investigate the gender representation in the Arabic language ... more The aim of the present study was to investigate the gender representation in the Arabic language textbook for the ninth grade in UAE. The criteria examined include the ratio of gender (female to male) appearances, the ratio of gender (female to male) aspects of religious and historical, educational professional, social and family, the traditional, the language used in the evaluation questions, titles of address for women, and order of mention. To examine these factors, the manual method of analysis was adopted. The findings revealed that the bias in favor of males is still prevalent, as the phenomenon of males-first-referring to the secondary status of women-is evident in the textbook examined. However, the findings also reveal the common use of the neutral title Ms to address women. Thus, it is recommended to correct gender representation in the textbooks used in educational settings to ensure fair gender representation in educational materials.

Research paper thumbnail of The perspective of students and faculty members on the efficiency and usability of e-learning course at Ajman university: A case study

Journal of Technology and Science Education, 2019

While there is much in the literature on the usability of the Course Management System (CMS) itse... more While there is much in the literature on the usability of the Course Management System (CMS) itself, there is little that looks at content of these CMS. This study aims to investigate the usability of the e-learning courses in Ajman University from the perspective of students and the faculty members. The e-learning usability evaluation questionnaire developed by Zaharias (2009) has been used as the main instrument for data collections in this study. Semi-structured interview is another instrument that has been used to investigate the e-Learning usability evaluation. This form has been used to collect the qualitative data from the faculty members. Research results revealed that the attitude of the majority respondents toward the usability of e-learning courses in Ajman University in general is strongly positive. Most of the participants in this study view the e-learning courses in Ajman university easy to use, easy to learn and have usable user interface. However, the first year stud...