Saudi Arabian Teachers' Perspective about Inclusion

Saudi Arabian Teachers' Perspective about Inclusion
Author: Fawwz Uthman Alhasiany
Publisher:
Total Pages: 195
Release: 2018
Genre: Inclusive education
ISBN:

Attitudes can affect how a person thinks and acts (Omolara & Adebukola, 2015; Salema, 2015). Therefore, it is important to be aware of teachers' attitudes and beliefs and how these important factors impact their thought processes and classroom instructional practices. If these beliefs appear to be having a negative impact on teachers' attitudes, it is necessary to help them learn how to teach more effectively (Clark & Peterson, 1986; Richardson, 1996). The main purpose of this study was to examine attitudes of Saudi Arabian K-12 education teachers toward inclusion and to determine whether the professional development programs currently offered in Saudi Arabia change or impact teacher attitudes toward inclusion. The researcher conducted a qualitative study utilizing semi-structured interviews with K-12 education teachers in Saudi Arabia to examine their attitudes and perspectives on inclusion and related assessment/instruction as well as how participation in professional development opportunities may impact or change their attitudes toward inclusion. Six themes emerged from the interviews: (a) different interpretations of inclusion, (b) professional development program, (c) perception of the need for accommodations and modifications, (d) assessment and instruction, (e) parents' impact on teachers' attitudes, and (g) recommendation to improve inclusive practices. Subsequently, 13 sub-themes emerged from the interviews, including: (a) the type of professional development program, (b) the outcomes of the professional development program, (c) the need for instruction and assessment, and (d) the need for professional development on instruction and assessment. Implications for improving inclusion, professional development programs, as well as instruction and assessment are included. Based on the results, several recommendations for practice and future research are suggested.

Saudi Science Preservice Teachers' Attitude Toward Teaching Practices in Sciences

Saudi Science Preservice Teachers' Attitude Toward Teaching Practices in Sciences
Author: Jabber Aljabber
Publisher: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing
Total Pages: 296
Release: 2009
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9783838312293

The purpose of this work was to investigate the attitudes of Saudi secondary preservice science teachers (SPSTs) toward science teaching practices. The essential goal was to use generated findings to improve the current secondary science education programs in Saudi Arabia and to develop better science teacher practices. The selected practices were posted by the National Research Council in 1999. These indicated that students learn science best through understanding of science rather than memorization of scientific facts and concepts, building new knowledge and understanding on what is already known and believed, formulating new knowledge by modifying and refining current concepts and by adding new concepts to what is already known, taking care of their own learning, social learning environments and interactions, and application of knowledge to novel situations. This work was based on SPSTs in four teachers' colleges located in cities: Riyadh, Makkah, Taif, & Dammam. SPSTs were asked to complete a 58-item questionnaire survey and respond to four open-ended survey questions. Data was analyzed by the Rasch analysis model, parametric & non-parametric tests.