Cover Page
The handle
http://hdl.handle.net/1887/138250
holds various files of this Leiden
University dissertation.
Author: Lamers-Reeuwijk, A.M.
Title: Teaching and professional development in transnational education in Oman
Issue date: 2020-11-24
Teaching and professional development in transnational education
in Oman
Antonia M. Lamers-Reeuwijk
2020
ICLON, Leiden University Graduate School of Teaching
Title: Teaching and professional development in transnational education in Oman
Titel: Doceren en professionele ontwikkeling in transnationaal onderwijs in Oman
ICLON PhD Dissertation Series
Print:
UFB/Grafimedia, Leiden
Cover design: UFB/Grafimedia
Lay-out:
A.M. Lamers-Reeuwijk
ISBN/EAN: 978-94-90383-31-2
© 2020, Antonia Maria Lamers-Reeuwijk
All rights reserved. No part of this thesis may be reproduced, stored in retrieval systems, or
transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise
without the prior written permission of the author
Teaching and professional development in transnational education
in Oman
Proefschrift
ter verkrijging van
de graad van Doctor aan de Universiteit Leiden,
op gezag van Rector Magnificus prof. mr. C.J.J.M. Stolker,
volgens besluit van het College voor Promoties
te verdedigen op dinsdag 24 november 2020
klokke 11.15 uur
door
Antonia Maria Lamers-Reeuwijk
geboren te Haarlem
Promotor
Prof. dr. W.F. Admiraal
Copromotor
Dr. R.M. Van der Rijst
Promotiecommissie
Prof. dr. ir. F.J.J.M. Janssen
Prof. dr. N. Saab
Dr. T.L. Mearns
Prof. dr. M. Kluijtmans, Universiteit Utrecht
Dr. G. Corbalan, Universiteit Utrecht
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 ... 11
1.1 Introduction ... 12
1.2 Context: TNE in Oman ... 13
1.3 Conceptualising effective teaching practice in TNE ... 16
1.3.1 Socio-constructivist ideas in general ... 16
1.3.2 Teaching across cultures ... 17
1.3.3 Teaching international students and learning in a second language ... 18
1.3.4 Professional development ... 18
1.4 Research aims ... 19
1.5 Overview of the dissertation ... 20
Chapter 2 ... 23
2.1 Introduction and theoretical framework ... 24
2.1.1 Conceptions of effective teaching ... 24
2.1.2 Staff development programmes... 25
2.2 Research context ... 26
2.3 Aims of this study ... 26
2.4 Method ... 27
2.4.1 Participants ... 27
2.4.2 Data collection ... 27
2.5.2 Development of teaching practice over a three-year CPD programme ... 29
2.5.3 CPD questionnaire results ... 29
2.6 Discussion ... 30
2.6.1 Observed teaching practice of TNE lecturers ... 30
2.6.2 Discussion of CPD programme ... 32
2.6.3 Limitations of this study ... 32
2.7 Implications of this case study ... 32
2.8 Conclusion ... 33
Chapter 3 ... 35
3.1 Introduction and theoretical framework ... 36
3.1.1 Transnational education ... 36
3.1.2 Teaching quality and quality assurance in TNE ... 36
3.2 Aims of this study ... 39
3.3 Method ... 39
3.3.1 Research context ... 39
3.3.2 Data collection ... 41
3.3.3 Data analysis ... 42
3.4 Results and discussion ... 42
3.4.1 Aspects related to the students ... 45
3.4.2 Aspects related to maintaining programme quality ... 45
3.4.3 Aspects related to teaching adaptation ... 46
3.4.4 Aspects related to quality assurance ... 47
3.5 Conclusions and recommendations ... 47
Chapter 4 ... 49
4.1.1 Supporting international students ... 51
4.1.2 Transnational student experiences ... 52
4.2 Aims of this study ... 53
4.3 Method ... 53
4.3.1 The research context ... 53
4.3.2 Participants ... 54
4.3.3 Data collection and procedure ... 54
4.4 Findings and discussion ... 55
4.4.1 Continual adaptation to TNE ... 57
4.4.2 Achieving learning outcomes ... 59
4.4.3 Other ... 61
4.5 Limitations ... 62
4.6 Conclusions and implications ... 62
4.6.1 Practical implications for academics teaching in TNE in Oman ... 62
4.6.2 Implications for the wider context ... 63
Chapter 5 ... 65
5.1 Introduction and theoretical framework ... 67
5.1.1 Reflection on academic practice ... 68
5.1.2 Barriers to improved practice ... 68
5.1.3 Applications for Fellowship ... 69
5.2 Method ... 70
5.2.1 Research context and participants ... 70
5.3.1 Teacher reflection... 71
5.3.2 Teaching philosophy ... 75
5.3.3 Self-assessed needs for CPD ... 76
5.4 Conclusions and implications ... 76
Chapter 6 ... 79
6.1 Introduction ... 81
6.2 Summary of the main findings per chapter ... 81
6.3 Discussion of general findings ... 87
6.3.1 Aspects that impact on the quality of the teaching and learning environment ... 88
6.3.2 The social aspect of learning and knowledge construction ... 90
6.3.3 Continuing professional development ... 90
