The effectiveness of using blended learning teaching and learning strategy to develop students' performance at higher education

PurposeThe research aims to identify the effectiveness of using the blended learning strategy on achievement among students of higher colleges of technology in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), through the answer to the following question: Is there a statistically significant difference at the significance level (a = 0.05) in students' achievements in general studies courses at higher education attributed to the method of teaching (blended learning, traditional).Design/methodology/approachThe research applied a Quasi-experimental. The current research used two groups experimental group and controlled group across two phases: pilot study and experimental study. Phase 1 examined the difference between the pilot group and the nonpilot group at Sharjah colleges across three different courses: Fundamentals of Applied Mathematics, Professional Communication and Reporting and Basic Research Methods during the spring semester 2019 at Sharjah colleges. Phase 2 examined the difference between the experimental group (using blended learning during summer 2019) and the controlled group (learned the same courses during summer 2018) across three different courses and the same three courses.FindingsThere is no statistically significant difference at significance level (a = 0.05) in students' achievements in the Fundamentals of Applied Mathematics (LSM 1000) course between the experimental and controlled groups. There is a statistically significant difference at significance level (a = 0.05) in students' achievements in the Professional Communication and Reporting (LSC 1103) in favor of the experimental group course at higher education attributed to the method of teaching (blended learning, traditional). There is no statistically significant difference at significance level (a = 0.05) in students' achievements in the Basic Research Methods (LSS 1123) between the experimental and controlled groups.Research limitations/implications1. The study is limited to students of Higher Colleges of Technology in the UAE. 2. The study is limited to the General Studies Department at Higher Colleges of Technology. 3. The achievement test used in the study is a standardized test developed by the college.Originality/valueThis research considered the first research to discuss the effectiveness of using blended learning where three teaching strategies are combined together (normal face-to-face classes, flipped classroom and online face-to-face classes) in students' achievement at higher education in the UAE.

Editorial: Fourth Industrial Revolution Transforming Businesses

This Special Edition is a collection of diverse and varied papers presented at the FIR 2020 conference. This was the first virtual conference hosted by the Faculty of Business, Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE and the presenters were selected to submit their papers to this Special Edition for review. All submitted papers went through the rigorous process of double-blind review. The best papers were selected for publication. The collection of papers are from different areas of research and the commonalities are the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the context of the UAE and surrounding countries. The readers will enjoy a wide range of papers from different areas and all built on a solid grounding of quantitative and qualitative research. The papers in this special edition include topics related to supply chain, blockchain, finance, marketing, consumer behaviour, employee motivation and knowledge management.

Impact of EMI on Omani Engineering Students’ Academic Performance

Using English to teach and learn academic subjects in higher education (HE) across the globe is increasing in popularity. The overarching aim of this study is to examine the impact of English-medium instruction (EMI) on Omani engineering students’ academic performance and their studies in an English-medium engineering programme in Oman. This paper reports on findings from a larger project that was intended to investigate Omani engineering students’ experience of learning through the medium of English in one of the Colleges of Technology in Oman. The study adopted a qualitative interpretative approach with a case study strategy and a purposive sampling technique to look into the impact of EMI on Omani engineering students’ academic performance and their studies. The sample included 12 Omani engineering and 8 engineering instructors who were interviewed along with five classroom observations. The data were collected and generated through semi-structured interviews and classroom observations. They were analysed manually, inductively and thematically using Braun and Clarke’s model (2006). The findings showed that EMI had both positive and negative impacts on the students’ academic performance and their studies.

Impact of EMI on Omani Engineering Students’ Academic Performance

Using English to teach and learn academic subjects in higher education (HE) across the globe is increasing in popularity. The overarching aim of this study is to examine the impact of English-medium instruction (EMI) on Omani engineering students’ academic performance and their studies in an English-medium engineering programme in Oman. This paper reports on findings from a larger project that was intended to investigate Omani engineering students’ experience of learning through the medium of English in one of the Colleges of Technology in Oman. The study adopted a qualitative interpretative approach with a case study strategy and a purposive sampling technique to look into the impact of EMI on Omani engineering students’ academic performance and their studies. The sample included 12 Omani engineering and 8 engineering instructors who were interviewed along with five classroom observations. The data were collected and generated through semi-structured interviews and classroom observations. They were analysed manually, inductively and thematically using Braun and Clarke’s model (2006). The findings showed that EMI had both positive and negative impacts on the students’ academic performance and their studies.

Globalization and its Impact on Higher Education: The Case of Colleges of Technology in Oman

The main aim of this paper is to explore the impact of globalization processes on higher education institutions, with a particular focus on Colleges of Technology (CsoT) in Oman. To achieve this aim, this paper first defines and illustrates the concept of globalization and then draws upon the World Systems Theory and Dependency Theory to contextualize Oman in terms of its global position. Through the lens of these theories, the paper explores the consequences of implementing English as a medium of instruction (EMI) policy at CsoT. The findings reveal that English language is still considered a foreign language, yet EMI is implemented at higher education. Moreover, despite the challenges faced by students, some exhibited a positive attitude towards the implementation of the EMI policy. For instance, many students perceived learning and using English as a means of endowing them with high international status, referencing its utility in relation to global communication, development, and employment. Such an impact is arguably linked to semi-colonialization. A link is then made to the concept of memorization, which is historically associated with the Islamic culture of Oman. The paper explains how the memorization strategy could be misunderstood. The paper contends that memorization is the first step in learning and understanding, not a substitute. A link is also made to the EMI policy, in which the low levels of achievement among students at these colleges have driven them to memorize and does not reflect a lack of critical thinking skills.

EMDR : An Alternative Effective Tool for Reduction of Academic Stress?

The stress often experienced by students is academic stress. Academic stress is a situation where students cannot face academic demands and the exception of the academic demands received as a disorder. If not handled properly, it will disrupt the effectiveness of learning and absorption of information on students. This study aims to reveal the effect of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) in reducing student academic stress. The research method is an experimental study conducted with a repeated measure pretest and multiple posttest design. The subjects in this study were 15 students. The instrument used was an adaptation of the Academic Stress Inventory of students at universities and colleges of technology from Lin and Chen. Analyze the data using the one-way ANOVA for repeated measures. The results showed that EMDR is proven to be one of the effective tools to reduce academic stress on students.

Globalization and its Impact on Higher Education: The Case of Colleges of Technology in Oman

The main aim of this paper is to explore the impact of globalization processes on higher education institutions, with a particular focus on Colleges of Technology (CsoT) in Oman. To achieve this aim, this paper first defines and illustrates the concept of globalization and then draws upon the World Systems Theory and Dependency Theory to contextualize Oman in terms of its global position. Through the lens of these theories, the paper explores the consequences of implementing English as a medium of instruction (EMI) policy at CsoT. The findings reveal that English language is still considered a foreign language, yet EMI is implemented at higher education. Moreover, despite the challenges faced by students, some exhibited a positive attitude towards the implementation of the EMI policy. For instance, many students perceived learning and using English as a means of endowing them with high international status, referencing its utility in relation to global communication, development, and employment. Such an impact is arguably linked to semi-colonialization. A link is then made to the concept of memorization, which is historically associated with the Islamic culture of Oman. The paper explains how the memorization strategy could be misunderstood. The paper contends that memorization is the first step in learning and understanding, not a substitute. A link is also made to the EMI policy, in which the low levels of achievement among students at these colleges have driven them to memorize and does not reflect a lack of critical thinking skills.

Instructional and Business Continuity Amid and Beyond COVID-19 Outbreak: A Case Study from the Higher Colleges of Technology

With the announcement of COVID-19 as pandemic, and the call for social distancing, academic institutions reacted by shutting campuses and calling for the shift to virtual online delivery. In HCT, we conducted this study in an effort to sustain success in these global challenging times of crisis that is informed by strategic foresight.HCT called for an all-online delivery starting March 22, 2020 after a two-day pilot in the preceding week. HCT readiness is a result of orchestrating: an ecosystem perspective on digital transformation, a forth-looking institutional strategy that has technology utilization as a major pillar, an education technology strategy, and a comprehensive set of intelligent learning tools.Forward-looking scenarios were designed based on two critical uncertainties: (1) COVID-19 longevity and (2) socio-economic disruption. These scenarios are: Divine Mercy, Recovery Mode, New Norm, and Survival of the Fittest. Subsequently, the features of each scenario are assessed for implications on HCT’s business and support operations, and the proactive strategies are documented to cope with these implications.During the full online delivery mode period, HCT recorded 86% satisfaction amongst its faculty and 54% amongst its student body, delivered 234,000 hours through 61,000 online classes, and delivered over 21,000 hours of online professional development (PD). Over the same period, more than 1900 non-faculty employees have been running business as usual from home.Envisioning future scenarios and preparing the organization for them is a practice that should be deployed in parallel to emergency response efforts to ensure successful business continuity.