Ithra’a a Comprehensive PD Program For Arabic Language & Islamic Studies in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi

2016 - 2018

ASK implemented “Ithra’a” (Phases 1,2)” for the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) which targeted all Arabic Language and Islamic Education teachers, Heads of Departments (HODs), and Senior leadership in all private schools in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra in the UAE for the goal of providing a strategic initiative that aims to enhance the attitudes, skills and knowledge of the target groups in teaching Arabic Language and Islamic Education to native and non-native Arabic speaking students, while employing modern strategies in teaching as well as fully integrating ICT tools and modern assessment strategies to support student learning in terms of 21st century teaching and learning.

ASK’s team of Instructional Designers, Educational Consultants, and Monitoring and Evaluation Specialists designed and developed a number of workshops targeting Arabic Language and Islamic Education teachers, Heads of Departments (HODs), and Senior leadership in phase 1 of the program. In phase 2, the team implemented a two pillared ‘Blended Learning’ PD program. The first pillar consists of interactive content in the form of E-Modules and the second pillar consists of face-to-face workshops developed using best international practices in the field of mentorship.

“Ithra’a” project is the first project of its kind that has been designed in an innovative manner based on the ‘Blended Learning’ approach in response to ADEK’s vision, which calls to take advantage of ICT tools in the field of professional development and continuous learning for workers in the education sector. The importance of “Ithra’a” stems from the urgent need that came as result of “Irtiqa’a” Program outcomes. The program’s impact extended across all schools in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and has revealed a clear improvement in participants’ competencies and skills in all targeted areas. As a result, the program was also successful in empowering students with a firm grasp of the Arabic language and Islamic Education subjects and enabling them to play an active role in the UAE society while fulfilling ADEK’s strategic vision.