The perceived challenges to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: A nationwide study of K-12 parental perspectives (Arab and other parents) in Qatar

This study aimed to explore self-reported challenges Arab and other parents encountered during the sudden shift to online teaching and learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers investigated the likely effect of demographic and contextual factors on the perceived challenges reported by parents. To achieve the study's objectives, the researchers utilized a mixed-method design involving a random sample of students' parents (Arab and other parents) in public and private schools in Qatar. The study's sample consisted of 2781 parents who responded to the online survey and 25 parents who participated in online semi-structured interview. The results derived from this study identified several challenges like lack of social interaction with schoolteachers, lack of motivation among children to participate in online classes and complete their homework, and dealing with the technical problems encountered during the online learning experience. The results further disclosed differences between Arab and other parents regarding the technologies and devices used during online teaching and learning. Finally, the results revealed differences between schools that do not organize additional activities in the curriculum compared to those that organize such activities. The study recommends home-school communication in order to empower parents and train them on how to manage effective learning at home and deal with children's learning behaviors. The study proposes developing parents' technical skills for online earning and the provision of material support for parents. Finally, it is important to raise a flag calling for revisiting the current curriculum to enrich children's schooling experiences and strengthen the bonds with their schools.

Challenges Facing Teacher Education in Qatar: Q Methodology Research

This study aims to identify the challenges facing teacher education in Qatar. Through Q methodology, it examines the ways in which schoolteachers, preservice teachers, teacher education faculty, and Ministry of Education and Higher Education personnel identify what they see as significant challenges faced by teacher education in the country. The overall aim is to provide an overview of teacher education in Qatar and the challenges of improving programs and processes. Results show that the participants' perspectives fall on a continuum of diverse views in which minimal consensus exists. Still, four consensus points were found across the emerged perspectives: schoolteachers’ workload, responsibilities and roles of educational stakeholders, the exasperation towards college-based teacher education, and the impact of culture on teacher education. Based on the results of this study, we argue that these consensus points represent the main challenges facing teacher education in Qatar.