Improving mathematics education in the Middle East: a focus on technology, learning design and professional development (original) (raw)

Porter and Associate Professor Mark Nelson who were abundantly helpful and offered invaluable assistance, support, guidance and patience. Without their unsurpassed knowledge and assistance this study would not have been successful.  I wish to extend my utmost gratitude to Dr. Celeste Rossetto from the Learning Development Centre, for providing suggestions to improve my thesis. This has allowed me to write up this thesis professionally.  I would like to thank in a special way Elisabeth Hilton for the good advice and support at a personal level and for friendship, for which I am extremely grateful. I am appreciative also of her reviewing and providing useful comments to improve my thesis.  I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Associate Professor Annette L. Worthy for her kindness, great friendship and personal support.  I also thank the School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics for their support in promoting a stimulating, welcoming, academic and warm environment, especially the Head of Department, Professor Jacqui Ramagge. I would also like to convey thanks to administrative staff, Carolyn Silveri, Kerrie Gamble, Lisa Pyle, Anne Harper and Anica Damcevski who have provided the administrative work that was necessary for this research.  Many thanks to Information Technology (IT) support staff Mr Joseph Tiziano and Mr Neil Wood for the technical support during my study.  I also thank Prof Mohamed A. Al-Lawati the Head of Department of Mathematics and Statistics (DOMAS) and all the participants at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), Sultanate of Oman for giving me the opportunity to complete part of my study at their University. iv  I am also grateful to my university in Libya, the University of Benghazi (formerly Garyounis University), which nominated me for this scholarship and provided me with the required financial support.  I would like to express my deep gratitude to my parents, brothers and sisters who have given me their unequivocal support throughout, as always, for which my mere expression of thanks likewise does not suffice.  I would also like to thank my friends for their support and encouragement.  I would like to express my greatest gratitude to all the research participants who generously gave their time and valuable insights and for their magnificent participation and collaboration.