scholarly journals A curriculum for students with intellectual disabilities in Jordan

Author(s):  
Eman K. Al-Zboon

This qualitative study describes the status of the curriculum for students with intellectual disabilities (SWID) in Jordan, from their teachers’ perspectives and from field observations. Research data were analysed using content analysis methodology. These qualitative data were gained by interviews with 54 teachers and by field observations of classes of SWID. Data analysis revealed five major themes: teachers’ perceptions of curriculum areas, teachers’ perceptions of curriculum characteristics, levels of teacher professional competence and training needs and teachers’ perceptions of problems of curriculum implementation and curriculum components. The study concludes that there is widespread confusion regarding the curriculum for SWID; genuine problems in access to the general curriculum for SWID; problems in SWID preparation for inclusion; and low expectations regarding SWID. Recommendations are provided regarding the importance of enhancing the SWID curriculum, and of improving teachers’ professionalism and practices.

Author(s):  
Atefeh Nikoobin

The present study aimed to evaluate teacher training courses (TTCs) in several institutes in Isfahan, Iran, to explore the teachers' perspectives on the status and characteristics of this program. More specifically, this study sought language teachers' perceptions on the aspects (duration, intensity, instructors, practicum) and contents (topics covered in the program, teaching the skills, theory) of the TTC program they attended. For this purpose, 34 language teachers were required to fill out a questionnaire to explore participant teachers' attitudes toward the TTC program elements. Furthermore, the teachers were invited to an interview session in order to share their opinions about the overall usefulness of teacher training courses they had attended. The findings revealed that, overall, the teachers were satisfied with different elements of this program. From the teachers ' point of view, the most useful aspect and content of the program were "instructors" and "teaching the skills", respectively.


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