Partners in learning: ‘An exploration of multi-cultural faculty and Emirati students' perspectives of university learning experiences’

Author First name, Last name, Institution

Herveen Singh, Zayed University
Fatima Bailey, Zayed University
Jenny Eppard, Zayed University
Kara McKeown, Zayed University

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Learning, Culture and Social Interaction

Publication Date

12-1-2021

Abstract

Numerous articles have been published referring to differences in the way expatriate faculty members at universities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and their Emirati students perceive the customs and nature of teaching and learning. Faculty members and students come to class from two varying educational and often cultural backgrounds. As the UAE is a dynamic, young country that is rapidly changing with a diverse residency population, it is necessary to frequently research how Emirati students currently perceive effective classroom practices in order to best support their needs. A possible model to adopt and adapt is culturally relevant and responsive pedagogy. This qualitative study explores perspectives of learning held by local Emirati students and expatriate faculty members at a public university in the UAE. Ten Emirati students and ten faculty members describe their views through interviews. Findings centered around disconnection and misapprehension between faculty members and students in several regards: culture, motivation, concepts of teaching and learning and student needs. Recommendations include developing training on implementing culturally relevant pedagogy by showing faculty how to view teaching and learning through the lens of the student and check their own preconceived notions. It allows for students to have power over their own learning by implementing strategies relevant to their own cultural and background norms. Limitations and suggestions for future studies are also provided.

DOI Link

10.1016/j.lcsi.2021.100564

ISSN

2210-6561

Publisher

Elsevier BV

Volume

31

Disciplines

Education

Keywords

Cultural empathy, Culturally responsive teaching, International education/teaching

Scopus ID

85115967839

Recommended Citation

Singh, Herveen; Bailey, Fatima; Eppard, Jenny; and McKeown, Kara, "Partners in learning: ‘An exploration of multi-cultural faculty and Emirati students' perspectives of university learning experiences’" (2021). All Works. 4570.
https://zuscholars.zu.ac.ae/works/4570

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no