The current research aimed at investigating the effect of a suggested strategy based on e-portfolio on creative writing skills in English language among intermediate stage students in Kuwait. The research examined the following hypotheses: (1) There are significant differences at level (α ≤0.05) between the two means in posttest and pretest scores of the experimental group in Fluency, Flexibility, originality elaboration and the total score. (2) There are significant differences at level (α ≤0.05) between the two means of the control and the experimental group in posttest of fluency, flexibility, originality, elaboration, total score, gain total. (3) There are significant differences at level (α ≤0.05) between the two means of the control group pretest and post test in fluency, flexibility, originality, elaboration, the total score. (4) There are significance differences at level (α ≤0.05) between two means of posttest creativity of the experimental and control group when controlling the pretest scores. The research sample consisted of 32 students in the nineth grade who study the English language course “Target English” in the first semester of the academic year 2012/2013. The researcher implemented the experimental research method with a pretest-posttest control group quasi-experimental design. For data collection, the researcher designed the research instrument which is a creative writing scale to measure the creative writing of the students in the pretest and posttest in the dimensions of: fluency, flexibility, originality and elaboration. The students in the control group taught by the traditional method of teaching writing while the students in the experimental group taught by the suggested strategy based on e-portfolio for doing creative writing activities. The research yielded a significant differences at level (α ≤0.05) between the two means in posttest and pretest scores of the experimental group in flexibility, originality, elaboration, the total score as well as the absence of statistically significance differences in the dimension of fluency. The research also revealed significant differences at level (α ≤0.05) between the two means of the control and the experimental group in the posttests of flexibility, originality, elaboration ,total score, gain total score as well as the absence of statistically significance differences in the dimension of fluency. With regard to the control group, the results showed significant differences at level (α ≤0.05) between the two means of the control group pretest and post test in fluency, flexibility, originality, the total score as well as the absence of statistically significance differences in elaboration. In addition, there were significance differences at level (α ≤0.05) between the two means of posttest creativity of the experimental and control group when controlling the pretest scores. Keywords: learning strategy, e-portfolio, creative writing skills, creative writing in English language, Kuwait

The current study aimed to investigate the effects of a proposed blended learning strategy in teaching medical vocabulary at Arabian Gulf University (AGU) on some outcomes of the learning process. The study attempted to assess the effects of the proposed strategy on pre-medical students’ achievement, attitudes towards the English language, and their satisfaction with the unit. The study sample consisted of 50 students who scored less than 60% in AGU English Language Entry exam. The sample was randomly divided into two groups; 22 students in the control group and 28 in the experimental group. The research instruments included: AGU English language unit exams in English 151, attitude towards English language and satisfaction with the unit scales that were developed by the researcher. Data analysis revealed that, concerning achievement and attitude towards the English language, there were no statistical significant differences between the experimental and the control group except with regard to the second midterm exam total score where the control group performed significantly better than the experimental group. The results also indicated that the experimental group members demonstrated high degree of satisfaction toward the online unit in three dimensions of the scale and medium satisfaction in one dimension. It was argued that though students were satisfied with the online unit, lack of vocabulary improvement was due to lack of administrative support.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of a blended learning strategy based on enrichment activities in acquiring English grammatical skills at diploma level on one side and if it leads to improvement in self-efficacy towards English on the other. The study tries to explore these two hypotheses: 1. The usage of blended learning strategy based on enrichment activities leads to acquiring of English grammatical skills. 2. The usage of blended learning strategy based on enrichment activities improves self-efficacy. The sample consists of 28 students; 14 experimental and 14 control. The method used in the study is the Quasi Experimental Design while the instruments of the study are Demographic Questionnaire, Self-efficacy scale as a post test and Achievement test as a post test . Findings indicate that students proposed to the strategy performed significantly better than the students who did not. There are significant statistical differences at the level (α<= 0.05) in achievement test in favor of the experimental group. The students’ self-efficacy towards English, on average, was higher in the experimental group than those in control group due to instruction method, but the difference wasn’t significant. The study concluded that an exploitation of opportunities for English enrichment activities would definitely enhance proficiency in English grammar.

There is much innovation to be found in the field of Educational Technology, both in its design and in its use. However, this innovation is patchy and inconsistent and rarely informed by research evidence or effective research practice. When reviewing work from within academia, commerce and educational practice it is clear that vital information about the context of the innovative work is unrecorded and that the relationships between researchers, developers and practitioners rarely exist. The production of effective innovations in the design and use of educational technology will rely upon these key relationships being fostered and strengthened. Developers need to be aware of existing evidence and able to use sound research methods to evaluate their products, researchers need to work with developers to help them acquire the knowledge and skills, and educators must be part of the process through their input to the design and evaluation of the technologies being developed.

Research suggests that computer self-efficacy, professional development, and years of teaching experience are critical factors that influence teachers' integration of educational technology in their classrooms. Results of a pilot study conducted by the researcher suggested a strong relationship between the degree of self-confidence teachers demonstrated toward technology and its use in their classrooms. This study builds upon previous research to focus on the relationships among computer self-efficacy and the technology integration perceptions of high school mathematics and science teachers in a Midwestern metropolitan area. This exploratory study selected this particular population to examine factors that may inhibit or encourage technology integration among secondary teachers. These factors were self-efficacy beliefs, professional development, and teaching experience. Data were collected from teachers who volunteered to participate in the study through surveys, semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, and teaching materials. The data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively to determine whether relationships existed among the factors under consideration, as well as to detect other patterns that emerged. A moderate, statistically significant correlation was found to exist between perceptions of computer self-efficacy and technology integration among the participants, a finding that was supported by qualitative analysis. The results can inform future research, as well as professional development, continuing education, technology training, and teacher education programs.

The aim of this thesis is to evaluate the present use of iPads in schools, particularly K-12 schools, as well as to consider how they might be used more effectively in the future. In order to carry out this aim, the researcher used the quantitative research method and developed a 32- question survey for a potential 250 participants. Responses to all 32 questions were gathered from those who responded, 65 participants. Of those who responded, 77% were female and 23% were male. Approximately 45% were between the ages of 22-25, 38% were above the age of 25, and 17% were between the ages of 18-21. A majority, 62%, had obtained a Bachelor’s degree as their highest form of education. The participants were from two schools, one in Bowling Green and the other in Toledo. Out of the 32 questions that they responded to, 18 were multiple-choice questions, and 14 involved free responses. The free responses allowed for a wide range of opinions, and for descriptive statistics to be gathered. Importantly, this study revealed that most teachers, whether or not they already use iPads as a tool for instruction, would use them as such if they were available and if their access was cost-effective. It also revealed that most teachers who are currently using iPads for the purpose of classroom instruction are able to recognize and articulate various ways that they are useful and beneficial tools for this purpose. This study recommended that parents, teachers, school administrators, and government officials communicate with one another and work together to ensure that technology is used efficiently.

This study examines the experiences of teachers and students in the integration of computers in three different socioeconomic school contexts of the Atlantico department in northern region of Colombia. This research used a case study approach and collect qualitative data from interviews and observations in two public and one private schools. The analysis of teachers’ beliefs in relation to their role in education, teachers and students’ perceptions toward using technology in teaching and learning, and the uses of technology in the three schools revealed that there is no connection between teachers’ beliefs about their role in the classrooms and perceptions toward the use of technology for teaching with their actual practices. The research concludes that the development of constructivist classrooms and effective use of technology in schools is a slow evolutionary process, which requires not only a better preparation of teachers but also a change in students’ expectations.

There is evidence on the agreement of educators, scholars, and employers concerning the importance of teaching critical thinking skills to undergraduate students (Brookfield, 2015; Gose, 2009; Lennon, 2014; Tsui, 2002). Asking Critical Thinking faculty and STEM faculty about their definition of critical thinking and their use of critical thinking tools may help shed light on newer and better ways to improve STEM education by incorporating more opportunities for developing and honing critical thinking in instructional design for these courses. The practical application of critical thinking pedagogy to STEM courses is warranted, hence the need for faculty development in this area. Other research has identified a paradox where science faculty are required to hold a terminal degree but are not required to have formal training in pedagogy to teach (Lynd-Balta, Erklenz-Watts, Freeman, & Westbay, 2006). One way to ensure the suggested faculty development courses are appropriate is to query faculty directly on this topic. This research used a qualitative research methodology. A critical thinking faculty focus group and STEM faculty interviews were conducted. Faculty participants in the focus group and interviews provided all of the data for this research as these faculty members are the closest to the situation. The data collected was recorded, transcribed, coded, and developed into emergent themes. The research took place at a University in Columbus, OH. The University is a private four-year or more university. Ninety-three percent of the faculty at the University are part-time not tenure track and the faculty to student ratio is thirteen students to one faculty member. The timeframe within which this research was completed spans across one trimester at that university. A total of six questions were asked of focus group members and personal interviewees. The research indicates that a simple and shared definition of critical thinking is needed. There was no clear definition of critical thinking to be found among STEM faculty or Critical Thinking faculty. This leads to a problem, as no clear definition led to no clear understanding of the concept. If there is no clear understanding of the concept, then consistency of curriculum can be questioned. STEM faculty looked to promoting critical thinking through discipline-specific methods while Critical Thinking faculty considered the promotion of critical thinking in a worldly view. This identified a separation that could be troublesome between general education courses and discipline-specific courses. A multidisciplinary approach to critical thinking would be more beneficial to both students and the University, as this would help with consistency of curriculum. Along with promoting critical thinking earlier in student programs, faculty development was considered a way to more effectively promote critical thinking by helping align faculty with tools and methods to incorporate more critical thinking in their courses. While STEM faculty are more than likely well trained in their specific disciplines, they could be lacking in educational pedagogy and critical thinking tools. Further research suggestions include gathering information for the creation of faculty development courses themselves for alignment purposes. Also, research could be completed after the courses are taken to look at the effectiveness of those courses and any resulting changes.