Aieman Al-Omari

Promoting Kindergarten Children's Creativity in the Classroom Environment in Jordan.

This study aimed at investigating teachers’ classroom practices, which either stimulate or inhibit the development of the creative environment of classrooms in Jordan, and determining the differences between practices according to educational level, experience level and type of teaching. The sample of the study consisted of 215 kindergarten teachers. A five‐dimensional questionnaire consisting of 50 items was developed to achieve the study aims. The results revealed that the rating of teachers’ practices that encourage creativity in children was satisfactory for the domains of physical environment and educational materials, lesson planning and creative instructional practices. In addition, teachers’ rating lies in the category of ‘good’ for the domains of knowledge and awareness of creativity, and creative classroom climate. Moreover, the results showed that there were statistically significant differences due to the type of teaching in favour of the cooperative method, and due to the educational level in favour of postgraduates, while no statistically significant differences were found due to experience level. Based on the findings, appropriate recommendations were suggested.

Leadership skills of first‐year students at public universities in Jordan

The purpose of this study was to examine the pre‐college leadership skills of first‐year students and examine differences by gender on eight distinct scales. The Student Leadership Outcomes Inventory defined these eight scales. A total of 296 participants were chosen to participate in the study from a population of all first‐year students at a public university in Jordan. Participants reported moderate levels of leadership skills on all eight scales. However, differences by gender were found on the technology scale of the instrument. Overall, it would seem that students matriculate with some intact leadership skills. Administrators might use this baseline skill level when designing leadership development opportunities for students.

Assessment of Early Childcare Programs in Jordan

Research Findings: Forty-five child caregivers and 120 parents participated in this study to examine perceptions of childcare programs in Jordan. The researchers developed a questionnaire that consisted of 6 dimensions: health, education, parent–caregiver relationship, facilities, building/landscape, and playground. Moreover, interviews with 10 child caregivers and 20 parents were conducted. Results indicated that child caregivers expressed moderate satisfaction with the programs. In contrast, parents expressed lower satisfaction with the childcare programs. The results also revealed that caregivers and parents perceived the playground area as effective but found health and the parent–caregiver relationship ineffective. Practice or Policy: This study highlights the need to supervise childcare programs effectively and the importance of fostering a strong partnership between child caregivers and parents.

Strategic planning effectiveness in Jordanian universities: faculty members’ and academic administrators’ perspectives

This study aims to explore the faculty and academic administrators’ perception of strategic planning effectiveness (SPE) in a reform environment, measuring the impact of university type, gender, and job role. A total of 338 faculty members and 183 academic administrators who enrolled during the first semester of the 2007–08 term at a public and a private university in Jordan participated in this work‐based research. A SPE survey was developed, consisting of 42 items distributed on five dimensions: Importance of strategic planning, level of involvement, depth of implementation, institutional planning model, and institutional decision‐making. The results of descriptive statistics and three‐way multivariate analysis of variance revealed that the ‘depth of implementation’ dimension appeared to have the most important impact on SPE. Also, results revealed that the sample of study perspectives of SPE differ significantly according to their job role.

Medical leadership competences among medical students at Hashemite University in Jordan

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to identify Medical Leadership Competences among medical students at Hashemite University, and analyze the significant differences in the university participants based on their academic level, gender and GPA. Data collection randomly selected from medical students, the response rate for were (260) students. A 40 items survey covered the five areas of Medical Leadership Competences were used. The responses indicated that the most leadership competences for medical students ascending by means were: ‘Demonstrating personal qualities’, ‘Working with others’, ‘Managing services’, ’Setting direction’, an ‘Improving services’, all of these competencies were in high level. There were no significant differences at the 0.05 level among medical leadership competences of medical students’ at Hashemite University related to their academic year, gender, and GPA.

Academic Advising Styles as Perceived by Undergraduate Students in the Hashemite University - Jordan

This study was designed to explore the academic advising styles that are currently perceived by undergraduate students in the Hashemite University. The Academic Advising Inventory was used in this study. The sample consisted of a total of 867 undergraduate students; 222 males and 645 females. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-tests were conducted to analyze differences in advising style when categorized by gender, classification, GPA, and major. The results revealed that the undergraduate students at the Hashemite University perceived their academic advising as prescriptive style. Female students had a perception for a developmental advising compared to males. Students in the GPA ranges (1.0-1-.9) and (2.02.9) reported perceiving a prescriptive style of advising, while students in GPA range (3.0-4.0) reported perceived a developmental style. Students by Classification (sophomore, junior, and senior) revealed that sophomore students reported receiving a developmental advising, whereas junior and senior students reported receiving a prescriptive academic advising. When students were categorized by Major (Scientific, and Humanities), the data revealed that no significant among students perception of their academic styles regarding to their major.

E-Learning versus Traditional Learning as Perceived by Undergraduate Students in Jordanian Universities.

The main purpose of this study is to define the perception of e-learning and traditional learning among undergraduate students in Jordanian universities. The results of the study indicated that e-learning had significantly higher scores for perceived value among students than traditional learning. The perception of e-learning among male students is more positive than female.