Push Pull Pedagogy: 15 Strategies for Saudi Student Success at the University Level

Alan Garfield; Phyllis Garfield

doi:10.31686/ijier.vol4.iss1.505

Authors

Alan Garfield

University of Dubuque, USA
Phyllis Garfield

University of Dubuque, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31686/ijier.vol4.iss1.505

Keywords:

Saudi Arabia Students, SACM, King Abdullah Scholarship Program, Saudi Enrollment, Cultural Competence, Hofstede

Abstract

One challenge that instructors face is how to design and teach a course so the material engages students' prior knowledge and their skills, whether the intent is to examine that knowledge, build on it or use it for self-reflection. Basically, when students bring diverse backgrounds, course design and teaching is particularly challenging. By invoking various strategies to address student differences can provide valuable clarity for both students and instructors while creating vibrant educational classroom conversations.
This paper provides an overview of strategies for Saudi student success at the university/3rd level based upon discussions, observations and practices instituted at the University of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa. Key to these 15 strategies are Hofstede’s cross-cultural theories from 2001, often cited and recently amended, and the application of author Phyllis Garfield’s thesis on short-term study and cultural competence.

Author Biographies

Alan Garfield, University of Dubuque, USA

Chair, Computer Graphics and Interactive Media
Phyllis Garfield, University of Dubuque, USA

Director, International Studies

References

i This paper is an expanded version of a presentation made at the 5th International Conference on Teaching, Education and Learning. September 20-21, 2015. Imperial College, London. The authors gratefully acknowledge research grants from the Faculty Development Committee, University of Dubuque.

ii This explosive growth can be attributed to an educational agreement brokered between former US President George Bush and Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in 2005. See documents from SACM: http://www.sacm.org/ArabicSACM/pdf/Posters_Sacm_schlorship.pdf and http://www.sacm.org/AboutSACM/History.aspx . The agreement effectively opened the doors for Saudi students to pursue their higher educational degrees in the US with their government paying most/all of their educational expenses. See I. Naffee in http://www.arabnews.com/news/558416 . According to the Pew Research Center, this makes Saudi Arabia the fourth largest sponsor of international students to the US. See D. DeSilver (2013), Record Number of International Students Studying in U.S. at http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/11/12/record-number-of-international-students-studying-in-u-s/ .

iii See P. Garfield’s abridged thesis, “Short Term Study, Long Term Results” at http://www.nafsa.org/_/File/_/regiv/2011_regiv_short_term_bib.pdf . Cultural competence is first introduced by G. Hofstede (2001), Culture's Consequences: comparing values, behaviors, institutions, and organizations across nations (2nd ed.). Sage Publications. Thousand Oaks, CA.

iv A. Razek found various implications arising from the continuous increase of Saudi students on American higher education campuses. Based on his data relevant themes emerged including: cultural adjustment, self-efficacy, challenges, stereotypes, persistence, success, support mechanisms and academic integrity. His aim was to develop a system to ease the cultural adjustment of new Saudi students. See Abdel Nasser Abdel Razek (2012), Dissertation, An exploration of the case of Saudi students' engagement, success, and self-efficacy at a Mid Western American University, University of Akron.

v See J. Tempera (2013), "Foreign Students Examine Benefits of Studying in U.S: Great Colleges, Diversity and Great Job Opportunities Are Just a Few of the Reasons Foreign Students Choose to Study in America." USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/06/12/foreign-students-studying-usa/2416313/ and T. Hall (2013), Dissertation, Saudi Male Perceptions of Study in the United States: An Analysis of King Abdullah Scholarship Program Participants, Western Kentucky University. http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/diss/50 .

vi C. Taylor and W. Albasri (2014), The Impact of Saudi Arabia King Abdullah’s Scholarship Program in the U.S. Open Journal of SocialSciences, 2014, 2, 109-118. http://www.scirp.org/journal/jss or http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jss.2014.210013 This is an excellent statistical overview of the Saudi educational landscape in the US. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2014.210013

vii The news article and comment can be read at: http://www.arabnews.com/news/744386?quicktabs_stat2=0