https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/119602 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:48:24 GMT 2026-04-15T20:48:24Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/113643 Title: Primary school teachers’ perceptions of the leadership role of the assistant head in Malta Authors: Vella Demanuele, Marisa; Calleja, James Abstract: This study explores teachers’ perceptions of the leadership role of assistant heads in primary schools in Malta. It draws on teachers’ voice to shed light on the intentional role that assistant heads have in supporting staff and cultivating co-learning relationships. Carried out during a period of ongoing reform in Malta, this research adopts a qualitative design within a constructivist epistemology. A web-based survey taken up by 130 teachers was then followed by three one-to-one in-depth interviews. Data analysis included manual coding following a thematic analysis approach. Findings suggest that teachers recognise the assistant head: (1) as an instructional leader providing educational and emotional support and (2) as a critical friend that engages in dialogue, listens and cares. We conclude that the contemporary assistant head may act as catalyst to support and inspire teachers towards self and school improvement by undertaking deliberate steps that include intentional self-development, leading visibly, reverent listening, purposeful dialogue, care for the wellbeing of those who experience their leadership, and supporting a collaborative work culture. Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/113643 2023-06-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/113642 Title: Cultural influences on critical thinking : a pedagogy for educating immigrant preservice teachers Authors: Lovell-Martin, Nigel; Rhone, Angela; Ariza, Eileen Abstract: There is no single definition of critical thinking, but there seems to be concurrence that it requires effective cognitive strategies to evaluate information and to draw conclusions based on reason. This article considers critical thinking as an inherent ability to engage in reasoned and reflective thinking on the contents of knowledge associated with educational psychology. The development of critical thinking abilities in preservice teachers who are either immigrants, or first-generation Americans raised in immigrant communities, is explored to gain an understanding of the effect of cultural influences on critical thinking in immigrant populations. Epistemic philosophical frameworks are identified to encompass McPeck’s critical thinking constructs and facilitate its infusion into pedagogical practices for educating immigrant preservice teachers. Further, the article examines the relationship between critical thinking abilities and cultural influences that shape ways of knowing, and discusses how immigrant or immigrant community preservice teachers might use cultural frameworks to critically analyse the tacit assumptions, beliefs, and practices embedded in the mainstream teacher education curriculum in countries such as the United States. To accomplish this connection, the authors recommend pedagogies (or androgogies for adult learners) that educators can infuse in the curriculum to foster critical thinking in the educational psychology discipline. Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/113642 2023-06-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/113616 Title: Physical, digital or phygital? Assessing the educational potential of virtual reality in heritage interpretation Authors: Debattista, Martin G. Abstract: For decades technology has strived to provide an alternative virtual representation of heritage, and in recent years technology has become so powerful and accessible that is has supported an increasing trend in the creation and consumption of virtual heritage. Google Arts and Culture has contributed to this digitisisation drive. The trend, though evident before the Covid-19 pandemic, registered an acceleration as heritage institutions could only provide online and virtual heritage experiences during the mandatory lockdowns. This paper presents the results of applied research on Google Arts and Culture Wonders of Malta and a cinematic VR production of a World War II air-raid shelter in Malta. Students at the Institute of Tourism Studies, Malta, participated and contributed to the analysis of the educational potential of this virtual heritage. Results show that the VR experience of Google Arts and Culture Wonders of Malta is rather limited in terms of presence and engagement, while the air-raid shelter cinematic VR successfully addressed some of these issues. However, the phygital experience, i.e. a visit to the physical site and the virtual reality experience of the same site, is the preferred combination for students. Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/113616 2023-06-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/113615 Title: Exploring the impact of Kolb’s ELC cycle on Palestinian women educators and their teaching practices in Palestine during Covid-19 Authors: Rafidi, Tina Jaber; Nassar, Silvia Abstract: This study aimed at exploring the impact of Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle (ELC) on Palestinian women educators and their teaching practices in Palestine during Covid-19. An explanatory mixed-method research approach was employed in the design of the study using a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The purpose was to explore and document the participants’ teaching strategies used to cope with online teaching and learning. The sample consisted of 53 Palestinian women educators teaching in the private and public sectors of schools and higher educational institutions. Snowballing sampling was chosen for the quantitative part of this study to ensure the reliability of the data. The main findings of the research demonstrated that many Palestinian women educators were unaware of Kolb’s ELC or its abstract concepts. That in turn reveals that lack of awareness is the main reason for the minimal impact of ELC on their online teaching practices. Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/113615 2023-06-01T00:00:00Z