The aim of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of primary teachers in Kuwait and to identify the factors which could hinder this effectiveness. To do this, the author chose to use the process-product criterion. The research begins by identifying the different teaching styles among primary teachers (process) and then relating them to pupil achievement (product) in order to discover which of the identified styles was more effective than the others. The study focused on teachers of Arabic Language, Science and Mathematics in Grades three and four. Several research methods were used, the main one being the questionnaire. Four hundred and ten questionnaires were distributed on a proportional, clustered, yet random basis. The data so gathered was then analysed using the cluster analysis technique. The results show that Kuwaiti primary teachers can be classified into four teaching styles, and the characteristics and the differences between the styles are discussed in detail. Furthermore, twenty respondent teachers were observed, five from each style, in order to identify the interaction between pupils and teachers, and also to validate some of the information gathered by the questionnaire. The data relating to the results achieved by pupils taught by 84 of the teachers in the four different styles was collected in two different periods (January and May). These results were analysed using the residual change score. The analysis showed that there were differences in pupil progress in the four teacher styles in that pupils who were taught by teachers in Style 2 achieved better results in Arabic Language and Science, and those who were taught by teachers in Style 4 obtained better results in Mathematics. The behaviours of the most successful teachers in the three subjects are discussed in detail and it was found that those teaching Arabic Language and Science presented behaviours, such as clearer lesson presentation, paying more attention to the entire class and being less inclined to use punishment and the threat of punishment to maintain control, while Style 4 teachers used class teaching more and were more inclined to use punishment and the threat of punishment in maintaining class control. Forty-eight teachers selected randomly were interviewed in an attempt to establish those factors which influence and hinder the effectiveness of primary teachers in the classroom. The main factors were considered. The direct factors were class size, teaching load, lack of modem teaching aids, and scarcity of in-service courses. The indirect factors were the low social status of teachers in the community, low salary, the school administration's maltreatment of teachers, lack of moral and material incentives, lack of parental co-operation, inaccurate assessment of teachers by their superiors, and the indifferent attitude of some teachers towards improving their teaching standards.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:364126 |
| Date | January 1997 |
| Creators | Al-Rasheedi, Ghazi |
| Publisher | University of Sussex |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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