Reforming Undergraduate Statistics Education in the Arab World in the Era of Information

Hijazi, Rafiq; Alfaki, Ibrahim

doi:10.1080/10691898.2019.1705943

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Although the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain remain proactive in their efforts regarding the development of employability skills, a mismatch still exists between employers' expectations and their satisfaction rates [20]. Nevertheless, even though students undergo a complete foundation year in Gulf countries to increase their skill levels in core subjects, employers expect a broader set of soft skills such as communication, self-learning and interpersonal and planning skills among graduate students [21]. However, Parlamis and Monnot considered soft skills only a supplement to complement the employability of graduates, not a substitute for hardcore technical skills [22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implications of COVID-19 on the Labor Market of Saudi Arabia: The Role of Universities for a Sustainable Workforce

et al. 2020

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Governments all over the world are taking preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. However, these measures have caused both long- and short-term effects on the socioeconomic situation of many countries. Due to lockdowns and business shutdowns, people are becoming unemployed or are working on reduced wages, creating a unique type of career shock in the global job market. Moreover, this phenomenon also produces a negative reflux among workers, encouraging a new skill set for this unprecedented time. The present study aimed to investigate the implications of COVID-19 on the labor market of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected with the help of a questionnaire from both public and private sector employers (n = 234) to inquire about their perceptions of the new skill set required in the changing business environment during and after pandemics. The data were analyzed with the help of descriptive statistics as well as simple and companion regression. The results indicate that the healthcare, service and education sectors have quickly transformed themselves from conventional to remote forms of working and consider virtual skills, autonomous working and effective communication the most important skills for their workforce during the current and the postpandemic scenarios. Interviews were then conducted with educational leaders to develop a conceptual framework by integrating both qualitative and quantitative analysis of the surveys. The results of the study are beneficial for the educational leadership of higher education institutions (HEIs) to better align their educational programs with changing market needs. By doing so, they not only increase the sustainability of the workforce but also minimize the impact of COVID-19 on the Saudi labor market.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implications of COVID-19 on the Labor Market of Saudi Arabia: The Role of Universities for a Sustainable Workforce

et al. 2020

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“…Kirby (2018) called for revolutionizing higher education in the Arab world, demanding further originality at all levels in the system. Hijazi and Alfaki (2020) called for immediate reforms to induce undergraduate classrooms with more problem-solving, collaborative, and independent learning based instructional strategies in order to motivate creative thinking in highly complex subjects such as statistics. Guessoum (2018) proposed that Arab colleges and universities need to borrow the flexibility and agility practices of the Liberal Arts Institution Model in order to remove procedural and normative challenges facing the creation of effective post-modern curriculum and instruction.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cultivating Creativity of Graphic Design and Multimedia Students: The Perceptions of Arab Faculty and Experts

Elkilany

Yousef

2021

Sage Open

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While a consensus has emerged on the importance of creativity in graphic design and multimedia field, little systematic research has attempted to understand its facilitators or inhibitors in the graphic and multimedia education across colleges and universities. The current investigation surveys a sample of experts as well as professors teaching across the Arab World concerning their perceptions on the most significant correlates of creative thinking among students. Results point to the importance of: (1) instructors’ engagement; (2) appropriate use of instructional strategies, tools, and resources; (3) institutional support; (4) peer support; and (5) the removal of red-tape regulatory frameworks. Most importantly, this research highlights the need to move away from the rigid higher education creativity model assuming perfection, precision, accuracy, and optimal effectiveness to a more flexible creativity framework. The Multi-Layered Autonomous Phases Model (MLAPM) is proposed as an alternative approach to cultivating creativity at the higher education level. The MLAPM applies to all levels beginning with the students and the instructor in the classroom and all instructional tools applied, moving upward to the institutional administration levels. The model offers cost-effective, flexible, dynamic, and effective practices that improve levels of creativity and creative thinking among students without the need to invest in new costly equipment, tools, curriculum, or instructional programs.

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“…For many decades, statistics education has been almost absent in the K-12 education in the Arab world with very limited coverage of basic concepts in probability and statistics late in secondary education as part of the mathematics curricula. During the past few years, education reform efforts at all educational levels have taken place in a few Arab states such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Jordan, and Egypt (Elbehary, 2019a;Hijazi & Alfaki, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Statistical Thinking at Early Primary School Levels: Curriculum Perspectives in Uae Textbooks

HIJAZI,

SHAQLAIH

2023

SERJ

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Developing statistical thinking is vital to fostering students’ critical thinking; however, it requires suitable curricula, appropriate textbooks, and well-prepared teachers. For many decades, statistics education was almost absent in the K–12 education in the Arab world. During the past few years, noticeable education reform efforts at all educational levels have introduced advanced curricula that aim to equip students with the skills that would enable them to compete internationally. This study aims to analyze the new statistics curricula in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as a leading educational model, and assess their alignment with the best international practices in developing statistical thinking at the primary school levels. Content analysis of the statistics component in mathematics textbooks from Grades 1–4 in UAE is presented in this paper, benchmarking the statistics content with the best international practices. Finally, recommendations on efficient and practical approaches to ensure appropriate development of statistical thinking at early educational stages are showcased.

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Reforming Undergraduate Statistics Education in the Arab World in the Era of Information

Cited by 6 publications

References 49 publications

Implications of COVID-19 on the Labor Market of Saudi Arabia: The Role of Universities for a Sustainable Workforce

Implications of COVID-19 on the Labor Market of Saudi Arabia: The Role of Universities for a Sustainable Workforce

Cultivating Creativity of Graphic Design and Multimedia Students: The Perceptions of Arab Faculty and Experts

Statistical Thinking at Early Primary School Levels: Curriculum Perspectives in Uae Textbooks

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