Specification Document of Class Teacher (Preparation) Program
Faculty of Education
Basic Information about the Program
Program Title and Final Award | Early Primary Grades Teacher (1–3). |
Awarding Body/ Institution | Faculty of Education – Sana’a University |
Teaching Institution/ Responsible Department | Department of Primary Education |
Other departments involved in teaching the program | All educational departments |
Medium of Instruction | Arabic |
Program Start Year (for Newly Specified Programs) | 2020–2021 |
Study Mode | Regular |
Place of Study | Faculty of Education – Sana’a University |
System of Study | Two semesters |
Duration of the Program | Four years of study (eight semesters) |
Possible Future Career Options for Graduates | Class Teacher, researcher, teaching aids specialist & class supervisor |
Levels of Award/ Final Award | Four-year Bachelor’s Degree. Students who withdraw before graduation shall receive a Non-Graduate Transcript reflecting the scores earned in their completed courses. |
Prerequisite Qualifications | High School Degree in any specialization according to the University relevant Regulations and Bylaws. |
Required Average Grade for Admission | According to the Faculty’s annual admission policy. |
Other Requirements | Requirements adopted by Sana’a University/ Faculty of Education |
Program Coordinator | Dr. Bashir Ahmed Mufarreh |
Date of Program Specification/Latest Accreditation | 2022 |
Department Mission
Creating a conducive and engaging learning environment aimed at cultivating competent and well-rounded individuals equipped with the essential academic and practical skills to excel in primary education, in alignment with contemporary pedagogical principles.
Department Aims
Aligned with the overarching aims of the Faculty of Education to cultivate proficient educators, the Department of Primary Education endeavors to achieve the following aims through its programs and curricula:
1. Academically and professionally producing well-qualified teachers capable of meeting the needs of the primary education stage across various disciplines. |
2. Enhancing the performance in the primary education stage by imparting qualitative skills to students. |
3. Providing tailored educational programs for students grounded in the latest educational theories, global experiences, and expertise. |
4. Undertaking educational research focused on advancing class teacher curricula and teaching strategies. |
5. Seeking accreditation for the programs offered by the Department from recognized local, regional, and international bodies and organizations. |
Program Mission
Preparing class teachers academically and educationally to meet the standards of teaching excellence in the first cycle (grades 1–3), integrating theoretical and practical aspects in alignment with contemporary educational theories.
Program Aims
The program seeks to achieve the following aims:
1. Qualifying and preparing students through the Class Teacher Program for grades 1–3.
2. Providing students with essential knowledge, concepts, and information needed for effective teaching in grades 1–3.
3. Equipping students with professional competencies, problem-solving skills, and critical and creative thinking abilities.
4. Promoting self-directed learning among students through the use of modern, effective strategies.
5. Facilitating the exchange of experiences and information with scientific institutions interested in curricula and teaching strategies for the first cycle (grades 1–3) of primary education at local, regional, and international levels.
Program References:
The program design and development were based on the following:
- Yemeni Universities Law and Executive Regulations, 2012.
- First level standards developed by the Council for Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Republic of Yemen.
- Faculty of Education (Sana’a) Guide, 2003.
- Regulations and Outputs of the Academic Development and Quality Assurance Center, Sana’a University.
- Reform Project of Science and Mathematics Teachers’ Preparation Programs in Yemen
- Department of Class Teacher, College of Educational Sciences, Zarqa University, Jordan.
- Department of Field Teacher, Faculty of Education, Yarmouk University, Jordan.
- Department of Field Teacher, Faculty of Education, Damascus University, Syria.
Program Intended Learning Outcomes (PILOs):
First: Knowledge and Understanding Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to: |
A1 Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of educational materials designed for the first cycles (grades 1–3). |
A2 Exhibit knowledge of the developmental characteristics, nature, and needs of learners, including their learning styles, aligned with contemporary teaching trends. |
A3 Comprehend educational concepts such as curriculum development, instructional methods, teaching strategies, planning, implementation, assessment tools, and teaching techniques. |
A4 Exhibit proficiency in Arabic language skills, understanding its nature and fundamental concepts. |
Second: Intellectual Skills Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to: |
B1 Employ mental abilities and skills in effectively utilizing teaching and learning resources and techniques. |
B2 Proficiently utilize research skills and foster their development among pupils in grades (1–3). |
B3 Identify teaching and learning resources – how to obtain them proficiently and utilize them effectively – to develop the mental abilities of pupils in the first cycle (grades 1–3). |
Third: Professional and Practical Skills Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to: |
C1 Manage classes in the first cycle (1-3) with high professional efficiency. |
C2 Provide an appropriate and encouraging educational and learning environment for pupils in the first cycle (grades 1–3). |
C3 Utilize effective and diverse teaching strategies that align with the developmental characteristics and needs of pupils. |
C4 Effectively employ Arabic language skills related to pupil instruction in the educational process. |
Fourth: General and Transferable Skills Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to: |
D1 Utilize critical thinking, research methodologies, and statistical analysis to undertake action research that contributes to the resolution of educational challenges relevant to this stage. |
D2 Practice collaborative learning skills in teaching pupils in grades (1–3). |
D3 Execute educational tasks in adherence to ethical, legal, and professional standards and regulations. |
Curriculum Map
I = Introduced R = Reinforced M = Mastered | ||||||||||||||||
Course Title | Sub-PILOs: | |||||||||||||||
First Semester | A1 | A2 | A3 | B1 | B2 | B3 | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 | C6 | D1 | D2 | D3 | D4 |
Reading and Writing Skills for Beginners | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | ||||||
Curriculum Fundamentals and Analysis | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | ||||||||
Computer Skills | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | ||||||
Arabic 1 | I | I | ||||||||||||||
English 1 | I | I | I | |||||||||||||
Islamic Culture | I | I | I | |||||||||||||
Arab-Israeli Conflict | I | I | I | |||||||||||||
Second Semester | A1 | A2 | A3 | B1 | B2 | B3 | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 | C6 | D1 | D2 | D3 | D4 |
Early Primary Grades Curricula | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | |||||||
Children’s Drawings and Handicrafts | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | |||||||
Child Psychology | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | ||||||||
Arabic 2 | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | |||||
English 2 | I | I | I | |||||||||||||
National Culture | I | I | I | |||||||||||||
Third Semester | A1 | A2 | A3 | B1 | B2 | B3 | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 | C6 | D1 | D2 | D3 | D4 |
Mathematics and Arithmetic Concepts and Skills 1 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | |||||||||
Science Concepts and Skills 1 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | ||||||||
Arabic Language Concepts and Skills 1 | R | R | R | R | R | R | ||||||||||
Electronic Learning Media | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | ||||||||
Teaching and Learning Skills | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | ||||||||
Educational Psychology | I | I | I | I | I | |||||||||||
Fourth Semester | A1 | A2 | A3 | B1 | B2 | B3 | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 | C6 | D1 | D2 | D3 | D4 |
Mathematics and Arithmetic Concepts and Skills 2 | R | R | R | R | R | R | ||||||||||
Science Concepts and Skills 2 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | ||||||||
Arabic Language Concepts and Skills 2 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | ||||||||
Computer Education for Children | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | |||||
Curriculum Construction and Evaluation | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | |||||||
Fifth Semester | A1 | A2 | A3 | B1 | B2 | B3 | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 | C6 | D1 | D2 | D3 | D4 |
Social Science and Skills 1 | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | ||||||
Quran Sciences 1 | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | ||||||||
Islamic Education Concepts and Skills 1 | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | ||||||
Learning Through Playing | I | I | ||||||||||||||
Teaching Methods for Early Primary Grades 1 | I | I | I | |||||||||||||
Formative Measurement and Evaluation | I | I | I | |||||||||||||
Classroom Management | I | I | I | |||||||||||||
Sixth Semester | A1 | A2 | A3 | B1 | B2 | B3 | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 | C6 | D1 | D2 | D3 | D4 |
Social Science and Skills 2 | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | |||||||
Quran Sciences 2 | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | |||||||
Islamic Education Concepts and Skills 2 | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | ||||||||
Teaching Methods for Early Primary Grades 2 | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | |||||
Fundamentals of Educational Research | I | I | I | |||||||||||||
Practicum 1 | I | I | I | |||||||||||||
Seventh Semester | A1 | A2 | A3 | B1 | B2 | B3 | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 | C6 | D1 | D2 | D3 | D4 |
Early Primary Grades Measurement and Evaluation | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | |||||||||
Children’s Literature | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | ||||||||
Language and Thinking Skills | R | R | R | R | R | R | ||||||||||
Environmental and Health Education | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | ||||||||
Enrichment and Development Activities | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | ||||||||
Practicum 2 | I | I | I | I | I | |||||||||||
Eighth Semester | A1 | A2 | A3 | B1 | B2 | B3 | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 | C6 | D1 | D2 | D3 | D4 |
Recent Trends in Educating Early Primary Pupils | R | R | R | R | R | R | ||||||||||
Gifted and Talented Education | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | ||||||||
Communication Skills | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | ||||||||
Life Skills for Pupils | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | I | |||||
Education System in Yemen | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
Teaching Strategies:
Teaching Strategy | Description of how it will be used |
Lectures | Lectures stand as one of the most prevalent teaching methods for conveying knowledge and elucidating theories. They serve to expound upon the theoretical aspects of the program courses to a sizable group of students within a classroom setting, facilitating opportunities for discussion, reading, commentary, and questioning. Typically, lectures are conducted for large groups of students ranging from 50 to 150 or more. They are a common feature in educational science courses, specialized subjects, and general culture. |
Seminar | Seminars are an academic sessions to discuss research presented by a student or researcher for the purpose of evaluating the research or modifying its plan. They will be applied to graduation research. |
Cooperative learning | Cooperative learning entails the organization of students into small groups, wherein they collaborate to accomplish tasks, engage in educational activities, or solve problems collectively. Each student actively participates in the activity, exchanging ideas and assuming various roles, while also assisting their peers in learning as per their individual abilities and capabilities. This strategy will be used in many of the program courses. |
Brainstorming | Brainstorming is an educational technique that involves a group of students using the brain to collaboratively find a solution to a problem by collecting ideas that spontaneously come to their minds. The goal is to reach creative solutions. |
Dialogues and discussions | Dialogues and discussions are encouraged by allowing students to pose questions during lectures, which are then answered either by the instructor or fellow students. This interactive strategy serves to strongly reinforce and clarify the lecture topics, enhance students’ engagement and comprehension, capture attention, and prevent boredom from setting in. |
Problem-solving | Problem-solving is a teaching method that begins with a situation, question, or phenomenon that students observe but cannot understand. It raises questions in their minds as well as desires to find relevant solutions. The process commences by identifying and formulating the problem, followed by proposing potential solutions and evaluating their effectiveness. Finally, a solution is selected to be implemented and verified. This method is employed to address educational, personal, or societal issues that may be related to the curriculum topics. It primarily aims to cultivate critical thinking skills among students. |
Graduation Project | The graduation project involves students being assigned or choosing a topic pertinent to their educational specialization, dealing with a field problem related to the elements of the educational process: teacher, student, curriculum, or the educational process itself. |
Inquiry-based learning | Inquiry-based learning involves presenting students with real-world issues and problems and asking them to analyze and address them. It encourages high-level thinking skills among students. |
Research
| Research assignments involve a student or a group of students conducting in-depth studies on a topic relevant to the course, utilizing fundamental research skills. These assignments are expected to be a minimum of 20 pages in length, with their tools and components tailored to the nature of the topic and course material. Research assignments are predominantly utilized for graduation projects and in courses where instructors deem it necessary for students to engage in research activities. |
Symposiums | Symposiums are primarily conducted with small groups of students, typically ranging from 20 to 30 participants, to facilitate enhanced opportunities for discussion and active participation in the educational process. In all courses, they are allocated one hour per week. (serving as an exercise) |
Practical training | Practical training is implemented in courses that necessitate hands-on experience and application, including: Tajweed, learning and teaching strategies, grammar and morphology, computer skills, research fundamentals, and graduation research. |
Microteaching | Microteaching employs authentic teaching situations in a simulated classroom environment, providing student teachers with opportunities to practice real-world teaching scenarios in a simplified setting. It will be used to train student teachers in the Practicum course 1. |
Assessment Strategies:
Assessment Method | Its description (in which course it will be used and in which rate) |
Written exams | Written exams, in their various formats and types, are conducted using traditional paper and pen methods, allowing students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the course material they are studying through clarification, explanation, and discussion. These exams encompass different types of tests, including midterms and finals, tailored to the nature of the course. Evaluation is based on a distribution of marks, with 50% allocated for semester work. This includes 20% for monthly and midterm exams, and 30% for attendance, activities, assignments, and research. The remaining 50% is allocated for the final exam. It is noteworthy that, with the exception of Holy Quran courses, oral exams are the primary assessment tool. |
Oral exams | Oral exams involve the examiner posing questions to the student verbally, who then provides face-to-face verbal responses. These exams measure comprehension, as well as knowledge and analytical skills. They are utilized to evaluate specific areas of achievement, such as Quran recitation, oral reading, presentations, speaking ability, pronunciation, etc. Oral exams serve as a formative assessment tool across courses and are particularly used for assessing Holy Quran courses and as the final assessment for the Tajweed course. In all courses except those related to the Holy Quran, oral exam scores contribute to the overall course work scores. However, in Holy Quran courses, oral exams are the primary assessment tool. |
Report and research evaluation | Report and research evaluation strategy is implemented through various means such as short research papers, presentation reports, textbook analyses, and field observation reports. It is utilized in most courses, particularly in education-focused ones. It is also employed to evaluate graduation research projects, assessing students’ adherence to scientific methodology, research skills, ethical considerations, among others. |
Observation | Observation is used to assess students’ performance during presentations and group work, with their scores being included as part of the coursework assessment. |
Mark Distribution | Student’s performance in each course is assessed based on the evaluation procedures outlined in each course plan, as follows. 100 marks is the maximum score for a two-credit-hour course. 150 marks is the maximum score for a three-credit-hour course. |
Program Study Plan:
Total Credit Hours Required for Program Completion | 109 Credit Hours, 55 Courses. |
Distribution of Credit Hours and their Percentage out of the Program Total Credit Hours: | |
Requirements | Percentage |
General cultural courses (University Requirements) and their percentage out of the program total credit hours | 8 courses (17 Credit Hours) with a percentage of 14.33% out of the program total credit hours |
Faculty courses (Faculty Requirements) and their percentage out of the program total credit hours | 19 courses (38 Credit Hours) with a percentage of 34.67% out of the program total credit hours |
Core specialization courses and their percentage out of the program total credit hours | 28 courses (77 Credit Hours) with a percentage of 50.00% out of the program total credit hours |
Field training and its percentage out of the program total credit hours | 2 Credit Hours with a percentage of 1.29% out of the program total credit hours |
Other Courses (if required) to be specified and justified, and their percentage out of the total credit hours Program | N/A |
Admission Requirements:
Having successfully completed High School Degree with a minimal average of 60%. |
Passing the Aptitude Test |
Passing the Entrance Test |
Passing the Personal Interview |
Fulfilling any additional requirement specific to the specialization as determined by the academic department. |
In addition to the conditions stipulated in the Student Affairs Regulations and the University’s laws in force. |
Attendance and Program Completion Requirements:
The regulations and procedures governing student’s academic progression specify the conditions and rules for moving from one academic level to the next, as well as the guidelines for withdrawal from the program or transfer to another program within the same Faculty. |
From Level One to Level Two |
From Level Two to Level Three |
From Level Three to Level Four |
Attendance requirements dictate that students must attend a minimum of 75% of total classes for each course, as outlined in the Regulations. |
Graduation Requirements:
Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 109 Credit Hours, 55 Courses. Minimum marks to pass in each course in the Program: 50% of the total marks for each course. |
The Facilities & Equipment Required to Achieve the Program
Learning Resources: |
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Laboratories, Facilities, Equipment and Learning Devices: |
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Program Assessment and Enhancement:
Targeted/ Assessed | Assessment Strategy | Sample |
Final Year Students | Questionnaire + Interview | 100 students |
Graduates | Interview/ Questionnaire/ Observation | Non-predetermined (available participants) |
Employers | Questionnaire/ Interview | Non-predetermined (available participants) |
Teaching Staff | Questionnaire/ Interview | All instructors |
External Evaluator | Interview/ Questionnaire |
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