A comparison case study of teachers’ perceptions of technology and multimodality in England and Kuwait

Alsalim, Monirah (2016) A comparison case study of teachers’ perceptions of technology and multimodality in England and Kuwait. Doctoral thesis (PhD), Manchester Metropolitan University.

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Abstract

The study focuses on understanding current pedagogical practices in teacher education, taking into account England’s and Kuwait’s historical, political and cultural backgrounds. The study emphasises the use of technology and the unique contribution of using multimodal learning in relation to teacher education in Kuwait, and indeed within the Kuwaiti and Arabic literature relating to teacher education. A comparative case study research design was used and in total, 24 teacher educators and student teachers participated in the study. Two types of data were collected in both countries: video recording of lessons in which student teachers training to become primary teachers were taught how to use ICT to support teaching and learning, and interviews with student teachers and teacher educators. The video recording data was analyzed using multimodal analysis, whereas interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings from the multimodal data analysis showed teacher educators in England use more technology and multimodal teaching styles as compared to the teacher educators in Kuwait. The thematic analysis yielded four themes, multiple modes of representation; mixed methods; generation gap; and problems in learning and teacher education. The thematic analysis related to the findings from the multimodal analysis in showing differences and similarities between England and Kuwait with respect to technology and style of teaching. The study has the potential to provide positive information for the teacher educators, student teachers and other faculty members of the College of Basic Education in Kuwait under PAAET (Public Authority for Applied Education and Training). The findings from the study can be used to present PAAET with guidelines that can widely educate teachers in Kuwait about multimodality, integration of technology and teaching methods.