2024-03-28T08:46:09Zhttps://laur.lau.edu.lb:8443/oai/requestoai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1052021-03-19T09:59:46Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Pga1. (c2009)
Hashash, Rami A.
Candida albicans
Bacterial cell walls
Phytopathogenic bacteria
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 41-46).
The human fungal pathogen Candida albicans is one of the leading causative agents
of death in immunocompromised individuals. Many factors have been implicated in
virulence including filamentation inducing transcription factors, adhesins, lipases, and proteases. Many of these factors are GlycosylPhosphatidylInositol (GPI)- anchored cell surface antigenic determinant proteins. Pga1 is a short 133 amino
acid protein shown to be up regulated during cell wall regeneration. The purpose of this study is to characterize the role of Pga1 as far as filamentation on solid and liquid filamentation and non-filamentation inducing media, susceptibility to cell surface disrupting agents, oxidative stress to a potentially lethal dose of hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, virulence in a mouse model of disseminated candidiasis, adhesion to human epithelial cells and biofilm formation will be characterized. This
will be performed by creating a homozygous pga1 null strain and comparing the
iv phenotype to the parental strain. It was observed that the null phenotype was over filamentous on both liquid and solid potato dextrose agar (PDA) media compared to the parental strain at both 300C and 370C. In addition the mutant strain showed less oxidative stress tolerance. The mutant exhibited reduced susceptibility to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), but increased susceptibility to calcofluor white, both being cell surface disrupting agents. However, no differences in response to Congo red or caspofungin were observed. Furthermore the mutant exhibited a 50% reduction in adhesion and a 33% reduction in biofilm formation compared to the parental strain, which was reflected as a reduction in virulence. This data is interesting; bearing in mind that disruption of many cell surface components usually weakens the cell wall, resulting in hypersensitivity to the utilized agents and a reduction in filamentation. Whether the cell compensates a pga1 deletion and responds by up regulating other cell surface components is possible.
2010-09-23
2010-09-23
2009
2010-09-23
2009-08
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/105
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2009.1
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1062021-03-19T09:59:46Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Characterization of Dse1 a candida albicans cells wall protein. (c2009)
Daher, Jalil Y.
Candida albicans
Genetic regulation
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 44-50).
Candida albicans is the most common diploid fungal pathogen in humans and one of the leading causative agents of death in immunocompromised individuals. The fungus harbors an arsenal of factors that are implicated in its virulence. These virulence factors include but are not limited to filamentation inducing transcription factors, adhesins, lipases, proteases, heat shock proteins and superoxide dismutases. The cell wall in a pathogen is crucial in harboring key proteins which constitute many of the abovementioned virulence factors. Dse1 is a 724 amino acid uncharacterized cell wall protein which is involved in cell wall metabolism. The purpose of this study is to characterize the role of Dse1 by generating a dse1 homozygote null strain and comparing the phenotype of the mutant to the wild type parental strain. Characterization included extent of filamentation on solid and liquid media and adhesion to human epithelial cells and biofilm formation. Furthermore virulence was addressed in a mouse model of infection and resistance to oxidative stress and susceptibility to cell surface disrupting agents were also determined. The results of our study show that DSE1 appears to be an essential gene as we were able to generate a heterozygous but not a homozygous null strain. The heterozygous mutant showed a significant degree of haploinsufficiency as it was overfilamentous on both liquid and solid PDA media compared to the parental strain at both 300C and 370C. It also exhibited increased susceptibility to calcuflor white and SDS, both cell surface disrupting agents. However, no differences in response to two other cell surface disruptants Congo red or caspofungin was observed. In addition, the mutant strain showed a decrease in oxidative stress tolerance, exhibited a 30% reduction in biofilm formation and a delay in adhesion compared to the parental strain. These phenotypes were mirrored by a reduction in virulence in a mouse model of infection. Bearing in mind that disruption of cell surface components usually weakens the cell wall resulting in a reduction in filamentation, the hyperfilamentous phenotype of the mutant warrants further investigation.
2010-09-23
2010-09-23
2009
2010-09-23
2009-10
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/106
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2009.2
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1082021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Enumeration of Novel Lake Superior Cluster I (LSI) as a friction of the total picocyanobacteria in the autotrophic picoplankton (APP) Using quantitative real-time PCR. (c2009)
Andari, Jihad
Cyanobacteria
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 58-67).
Cyanobacteria known previously as blue-green algae are successful phototrophic organisms which are ubiquitously found in the environment. This organism contributes significantly to the global carbon and nitrogen budget. Classical classification of cyanobacteria is mainly based on morphology and subdivided into five categories. Molecular classification involves mainly 16S rRNA, 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer (IGS), and cpcBA IGS. Planktonic organisms are separated in literature based on size. We are primarily interested in picocyanobacteria (picos) as major fraction of the autotrophic picoplankton (APP) that are ubiquitously found in all aquatic ecosystems. They are major contributors of carbon and provide nutrients to their natural habitats through complex microbial food webs. Lake Superior is located in North America and has the largest surface area of any freshwater lake present in the world. The nature of this lake is ultraoligotrophic with very low concentrations of iron and phosphorous. Although 50% of Lake Superior chlorophyll is contributed by the APP, only few studies focused on studying the biodiversity of this lake. The phylogenetic diversity of Lake Superior picos was recently characterized. All samples were collected and filtered from several locations and at different depths including Sterner B (SB), Castle Danger 1 (CD1), Western Mid-lake (WM), and nearshore Keweenaw Waterway station Portage Deep (PD). Most of the 16S rRNA gene sequences clustered within the picocyanobacterial clade and two new groups pelagic Lake Superior clusters I (LSI) and II (LSII) were discovered. These groups do not cluster with any of the previously known freshwater Synechococcus. Also, these novel groups have never been isolated into culture. In our study, we assessed LSI and general picos by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Specific PCR amplicons of LSI and picos were cloned into plasmid and transformed into E. coli competent cells for multiplication of the plasmid. Two separate standard curves were created for specific quantification. The concentration of general picos at CD1 (September, 2004) was found to be in the range of flow cytometry results shown by Ivanikova et al. (2007) of phycocyanin-rich and phycoerythrin-rich APP collected from the same location (August, 2006). Although Ivanikova et al. (2007) found that 16S rRNA sequences that clusters within LSI were less abundant at PD, similar and even higher concentrations of LSI were detected at this station compared to CD1, WM, and SB. WM samples collected from deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) showed approximately the same concentrations of LSI as CD1 and PD samples collected from the epilimnion. Generally, LSI at PD and WM showed higher levels whereas picos were more concentrated at CD1 and WM. LSI proportions of picos at CD1, WM, and SB were 4.4 %, 24%, and 15.5% respectively. This study provides valuable information about the dynamics of the picos at the western arm of Lake Superior. Moreover, specific and sensitive qPCR protocol created in this study can be used in future work to monitor the spatial and temporal abundance of picos and LSI.
2010-09-24
2010-09-24
2009
2010-09-24
2009-11
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/108
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2009.4
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1142021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Environmental policy making in the European Union. (2010)
Talhouk, Firas
Environmental policy -- European Union countries -- Case studies
Environmental policy -- International cooperation -- Case studies
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 62-66).
The increasing interest in environmental issues among the European Union public since the beginning of the nineteenth century, led to increasing pressure on European Union member countries and the European Union Institutions to develop environmental policies. This in many ways paved the way for the European Union to become a world leader in Environmental Policy making.
The thesis shows how and why the European Union became a world leader in environmental policy making. It is true that the European Union is experiencing many contradicting views on various topics such as economy and budgeting, and that is also true for environmental issues, nonetheless, the hazards of environmental problems cannot be hidden and are pressing to deal with especially as they cross national boundaries. Moreover, the huge awareness and education that the citizens of the European Union have concerning environment and its hazards plays a very important role in exerting ongoing pressure on EU member countries’ that in turn exert pressure on the EU institutions to constantly develop policies dealing with environmental issues.
The research also shows that other actors such as industries and non-governmental organizations also play a very important role during the development process as they are often consulted for technical and financial aid. NGOs also play a very vital role in lobbying for environmental policies and in supervising the implementation of the policies.
Through the research, it was also found that the European Union is able to influence other parts of the world with its environmental policy development. Such influence could be made because of the European Union’s powerful economic and diplomatic relations.
Using case studies the research also reflects how different European member countries responded to the environmental policy development and how policies were developed to fit with the European Union evolution. Also the thesis shows that though some countries such as Britain fell behind in developing environmental policies, they eventually responded to the pressure exerted by the EU.
The thesis comes to the conclusion that though the process of environmental policy making in the European Union is very complex and time consuming, the European Union’s response to public demands of various kinds regarding environmental hazards pushed it to become a world leader in environmental policy making. Moreover, the EU institutions now no longer develop environmental policies to tackle hazards when they happen, but they also work on policies to prevent environmental problems before the fact.
2010-09-27
2010-09-27
2010
2010-09-27
7/7/2010
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/114
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.1
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1172021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
The effects of problem based learning in chemistry education on middle school. (c2010)
Charif, Mona Faycal
Problem-based learning -- Lebanon
Lecture method in teaching
Chemistry -- Study and teaching (Middle school) -- Lebanon
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 35-41).
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of problem-based learning (PBL) on students’ performance and attitude towards chemistry. In the study, data was obtained through the use of pre-test post-test, research-control group model. The data obtained from both groups was analyzed using t-test cores, mean, and standard deviation. The study was conducted on 7th grade students, in a private school in Lebanon. Two types of instruments were used for measurement: achievement tests, and an attitude questionnaire. The research group was taught chemistry using PBL while conventional teaching methods were applied in the control group. Results indicated that implementing problem based learning approach had improved students’ achievement and attitude. This study encouraged teachers to implement problem based learning method in teaching science concepts especially chemistry for middle school students.
Keywords: Problem-based learning, teaching strategy, chemistry, achievement, attitude.
2010-09-27
2010-09-27
2010
2010-09-27
6/8/2010
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/117
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.2
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1182021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Cultural literacy awareness kit. (c2010)
Berjawi, Monya Aref
Literacy -- Study and teaching (Middle school) -- Lebanon
Multicultural education -- Activity programs -- Lebanon
Literacy
Culture
Critical literacy
Cultural literacy
Cultural awareness
Language
Culturally responsive teaching
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-65).
This is an eye opener regarding the importance of literacy, be it cultural or critical in a grade 6 classroom. It defines literacy, cultural literacy and critical literacy as well. It reveals their significance, how they are interrelated and how individuals critically learn about their culture. Moreover, the study briefly reflects on some cultural conflicts in the classroom and discusses the teacher’s, the administrator’s and the parent’s role in enhancing cultural awareness. As for the methodology, several interviews will be conducted with grade 6 teachers from different schools in Lebanon to learn more about their perspectives towards cultural literacy. The interviews focus on whether or not cultural awareness is enhanced during classroom practices, and if it is, how it is enhanced and what kind of practices, games or activities are implemented to help grade 6 students be more attentive to their cultural traditions, customs and values. The interviews will also focus on the parents' role in enhancing cultural literacy. Accordingly, a cultural awareness kit will be created. Grade 6 students will have the opportunity to learn about their culture through the novel activities, the various games and the enjoyable practices the kit contains.
2010-09-27
2010-09-27
2010
2010-09-27
5/7/2010
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/118
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.3
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1192021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
The strength of the Lebanese banking system in the face of political instability. (c2008)
Hobeika, Maya T.
Banks and banking -- Lebanon
Political stability -- Economic aspects -- Lebanon
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 66-67).
This thesis is a study of one of the leading sectors in the Lebanese economy, namely its
banking sector. Actually it is an attempt to explain the strength of the Lebanese banking system in
spite of the permanent political instability in general and after the Taif agreement in particular. It
therefore analyzes the relationship between the Central Bank and the commercial banks, and the
policies and laws that allow the banking sector to prosper and the state’s actions to protect the
banking system. The liberal economic ideology prevalent in Lebanon is also central to the
explanation.
This paper analyzes how bank characteristics and the overall financial environment affect the
performance of commercial banks and their relationship with the Lebanese Central Bank.
Specifically, the purpose of the study is to give a closer look to the relationships between
profitability and the banks’ characteristics, after controlling for economic and financial structural
indicators under the conditions of the Lebanese Central Bank. A variety of Lebanese banks were
chosen, concentrating on the most profitable and the most effective banks in Lebanon. The intention
is actually to make the decision about the important determinants of performance. In this way, the
paper extends the literature in several ways (Abelson, 1983).
Politics in Lebanon has a major impact on the performance of the financial system.
However, despite this impact, the banking system in Lebanon remains active and effective. Thus,
despite the fact that the banking system in Lebanon is highly affected by politics, it remains to
maintain solidarity and effectiveness.
For this purpose, an entire set of internal characteristics is examined as determinants of
banks’ net non-interest margin and productivity. These include bank size, liquidity, loans, deposits
and some others. Also, while studying the relationship between banks’ internal characteristics and activity, I was able to detect the direct impact of external factors, such as macroeconomic inflation
and exchange rates.
It was apparent from the results and the regression and correlation analysis that the ‘Return
on Equity’ (ROE) of commercial banks is highly influenced by the independent banking variables
determined. The existing relationship is both negative and positive. While some variables affect the
profitability negatively, other variables affect it positively (Abelson, 1983).
The following empirical analysis allows me to highlight the relationship between banking
characteristics and performance measures in commercial Lebanese banks. As a start, the Lebanese
commercial banks profitability measures react positively to the increases in capital and loan ratios.
This result is in harmony with previous studies. In addition, it shows that optimal capital ratios and
loan portfolios are essential factors for determining the performance of Lebanese commercial
banks, in addition to other factors such as customers’ deposits, non-interest earning assets and
banks’ profits. Moreover, I noted that liquidity factors are even more vital for the determination of
bank performance (Abelson, 1983, p. 15).
The 1975-1990 war destroyed most of the country’s economy. However, major economic
changes accompanied the demographic changes in Lebanon and, despite this war the banking
system remained powerful in Lebanon.
Finally, it should be recognized that the range of this paper is limited as several Lebanese
commercial banks are not included and several interesting questions were left unanswered. These
questions analyze more fully the interaction between the political and the banking system in
Lebanon and show how banking stability could be influenced by the political stability of Lebanon.
Also, because of the size of the sample and many missing observations, the results should be explained carefully. As has been the case of many recent studies, the results are not very robust and
may be responsive to the type of measure of performance used. 1
Thus, in general, the profitability determinants of Lebanese commercial banks are various
and numerous in nature. The loans, size, growth, exchange rates, inflation, deposits, liquidity can
have a direct impact on the profitability level. However, the ROE level is not limited to those
variables. Other variables do have a direct impact on the profitability as well. As already noted, such variables seem to be Lebanese politics and state policies as well as other new economic and competitive regulations.
2010-09-27
2010-09-27
2008
2010-09-27
6/8/2008
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/119
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2008.1
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1212021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
The motifs of eyes and feet in Irish and Lebanese poetry, dance, and caricature. (c2010)
Ward, Abir Said
Art -- Themes, motives
Comparative literature -- Themes, motives
Art, Comparative
Comparative literature -- Irish and Lebanese
Comparative literature -- Lebanese and Irish
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 78-82).
This thesis examines the cultural representation of traumatic memory. It assumes the existence of a “traumatic unsaid” that seeks expression by indirect means in art. In the case of the Irish and Lebanese cultural productions examined here, this thesis argues that artists repress painful emotions which find expression through displacement—a psychological defense mechanism in which there is an unconscious shift of emotions, affect, or desires from the original object to a more acceptable or immediate substitute—in the form of different motifs or symbols.
2010-09-28
2010-09-28
2010
2010-09-28
8/1/2010
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/121
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.4
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1222021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
The perceived role of academic deans in private universities in Lebanon. (c2010)
Tillawi, Asma Suleiman
Deans (Education) -- Lebanon
Universities and colleges -- Lebanon -- Administration
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 147-154).
This study explored the perceived role of academic deans in three private universities in Lebanon. The inquiry, based on four research questions, focused on the academic deans, department chairpersons, and faculty members’ perceptions of the dean’s management leadership role. Leadership differences by gender were also emphasized. The methodology of data collection included: A review of documents, semi-structured interviews with seven academic deans, a questionnaire answered by a sample of 80 faculty members and 20 chairpersons, and a review of anecdotal accounts written by the chairs and faculty members. The researcher reviewed and analyzed the results by synthesizing and comparing the themes and responses of the three categories of participants to emphasize congruency or discrepancy of perceptions. Analysis of the findings showed that participants’ perceptions moderately agreed on their academic dean’s management leadership role. The deans’ perceptions of deanship reflected their performance of role flavored with the ideal of academic leaders expectations. The slight incongruence of perceptions did exist to a certain extent because department chairs are in a position that is closer to academic deans than faculty members and thus have more critical perceptions of the dean’s role than faculty members. Female deans were perceived more positively than male deans on faculty and program development, fiscal management, and conflict management. Male deans were perceived more positively than female deans on vision and goals, communication, and management variables. Male leadership is viewed as more directive and autocratic and female leadership as more participatory and democratic.
2010-09-28
2010-09-28
2010
2010-09-28
6/11/2010
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/122
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.5
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1242021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Exploring grade eight students' development of geometric reasoning in a problem solving situation using dynamic geometry software. (c2010)
Nassar, Olga Fahid
Geometry -- Study and teaching (Middle school) -- Lebanon
Geometry -- Computer-assisted instruction
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 103-110).
Mathematics educators consider proof as central to the discipline of mathematics. However, the use of Dynamic Geometry Software (DGS), which enables students to create many examples of a single figure, raises questions about the importance of deductive proof. The Lebanese curriculum does not explicitly integrate the use of DGS in geometry teaching. However, some schools are including DGS activities in geometry classes. This study aims at exploring Lebanese students’ development of geometric reasoning in problem-solving situations requiring proving, using dynamic geometry software. Participants are a conveniently accessible group of grade 8 students, at a reputable private school in Mount-Lebanon. The group consists of 35 students, 12 females and 23 males coming from middle socioeconomic background. The study involves several techniques: a semi-structured interview with the teacher, development of a math teaching unit integrating the use of Cabri-Geometer, paper-pencil problem-solving situations requiring proofs prior to unit implementation, implementation of the unit, problem solving situations in DGS context which require proving, and clinical interviews with selected groups of students while solving proof problems. The proofs produced by students using paper-pencil were compared with proofs produced in a DGS context. In addition, the mental models of geometric reasoning of students using paper-pencil were compared with the mental models in DGS context. Data collected was analyzed according to a classification framework developed for this purpose. The following results were found: students were able to produce more correct figures using DGS than when using paper-pencil. They were also able to better experiment and explore the problem. This made them understand the problem and the theorems and properties it involves. Students produced more correct conjectures. Moreover, DGS figures provided students with tools to prove so they did not give any conjecture with no proof. Though some of the proofs produced were empirical most of the proofs reflected more understanding of the concepts. Moreover, while students focused, in the paper-pencil quiz, on the format of proofs produced, they rather focused, in the DGS quiz, on the content and logic of proofs produced.
2010-09-29
2010-09-29
2010
2010-09-29
6/10/2010
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/124
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.6
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1272021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
The paradox of good governance under authoritarian regimes. (c2010)
Noueihed, Sarah Emad
Authoritarianism -- Egypt
Authoritarianism -- Tunisia
Egypt -- Politics and government
Tunisia -- Politics and government
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 106-110).
As the third wave of democratization recedes, many authoritarian regimes persist in the Middle East. These regimes have survived despite all calls for good governance, democracy and political liberalization from the international community. This thesis examines the paradox of good governance under authoritarian regimes in Tunisia and Egypt, arguing that although the last two decades did witness timid political reforms in the region, these reforms were only introduced to reassert authoritarian control.
The thesis reviews critically the literature on good governance and authoritarian persistence. It explores the main indicators used to measure good governance, focusing especially on the role of elections in examining the survival, durability and reproduction of authoritarianism in Tunisia and Egypt. These regimes have deployed elections, often assumed as a prerequisite for achieving good governance and an important stepping stone towards political pluralism, as a tool to tighten their hold on power and preserve authoritarianism.
Despite the existence of opposition parties and the holding of regular elections in both Egypt and Tunisia, political power remains firmly concentrated in the hands of Mubarak and Ben Ali and their respective parties. In these regimes, the manipulation of elections and thus the dominance of a single ruling party play an important role in sustaining authoritarian regimes and reproducing their power. The timid reform measures introduced by both regimes, have proven to be largely ineffective and have not altered Egypt's and Tunisia's political landscapes. Finally, this thesis contends that while initiatives for good governance and democracy are multiplying in the Middle East, and especially in the two explored countries, authoritarianism will survive unchallenged for years to come.
2010-10-01
2010-10-01
2010
2010-10-01
5/28/2010
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/127
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.7
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1282021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Omar Al Bashir and the International Criminal Court. (c2010)
Kaidbey, Yasmine Nadim
Bashir, Umar Hasan Ahmad -- 1944- -- Trials, litigation, etc.
Presidents -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- Sudan
International Criminal Court
Criminal procedure (International law)
United Nations -- Security Council -- Resolutions
Sudan -- History -- Civil War, 1983-2005
Includes bibliographical references (l. 70-75).
The International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant of 4 March 2009 against Omar Hassan Al Bashir made the president of Sudan the first seated president to be indicted by the ICC in history. The ICC held Al Bashir accountable for crimes against humanity, as well as war crimes committed in the Darfur region. This case study is examined to highlight how state sovereignty is changing in today’s globalized world, and to underscore the role played by international institutions in domestic politics. The thesis examines the role of the ICC in the prosecution of Al Bashir from the perspective of the realist/internationalist debate. It debates the legality of the arrest warrant given that Sudan is not a party state to the ICC and that Al Bashir is a seated president. The thesis then analyzes United Nation Security Council Resolution 1593 that transferred Darfur’s case to the ICC, UN Chapter VII, the Rome Statute, the Geneva Convention on Genocide, and the Vienna Convention to make the case against the immunity of a seated president. The responses to the ICC indictment by Sudan as well as international and regional actors, namely United States of America, Russia, China, the European Union (EU), the African Union (AU) and the League of Arab States (LAS) are also observed briefly. The thesis closes by arguing that that there can be no peace in Sudan without indicting Al Bashir. Peace and reconciliation cannot be achieved without justice.
2010-10-01
2010-10-01
2010
2010-10-01
6/8/2010
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/128
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.8
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1292021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
A preschool program based on multiple intelligences. (c2010)
Jaber, Sahar Ghali
Early childhood education -- Lebanon
Multiple intelligences -- Lebanon -- Case studies
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 72-74).
In this project, a program based on multiple intelligences was developed for the early childhood cycle based on the theory of multiple intelligences. It is a comprehensive program to be implemented in Lebanese schools to aid preschoolers in the development of the eight kinds of intelligences according to Gardner's theory. Data were collected using interviews with teachers and experts in the field of preschool education, as well as through observations of one daycare center and three preschool classrooms. A thorough review of the literature was also conducted to identify the components of MI programs developed in preschools in the West. The MI program developed in this project includes four sections: 1) MI teaching strategies to be adopted by preschool teachers; 2) MI curricula which duplicate the Spectrum Project activities and a checklist for teachers to determine children’s intelligences; 3) A description of the MI classroom environment and of teacher-student interactions; 4) The role of parental involvement in the MI program.
2010-10-04
2010-10-04
2010
2010-10-04
2010-06
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/129
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.9
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1332021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Government policies and Muslim radicalism in France and Great Britain. (c2010)
Kadi, Randa El
Muslims -- France
Muslims -- Great Britain
France -- Ethnic relations
Great Britain -- Ethnic relations
France -- Politics and government
Great Britain -- Politics and government
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-85).
The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the consequent ‘war on terror’ and the
American and British invasion and occupation of Iraq, has magnified the threat posed by Muslim
immigrant communities residing in Europe. Terrorists responsible for the 9/11 attacks were
Muslims who lived and trained in Western Europe. Moreover, and since the last quarter of the
twentieth century young European Muslims have been radicalized at a rate higher than ever
before. This study examines the impact of government policies on immigrant Muslim
communities residing in Great Britain and France. It explores whether policies of discrimination
against these Muslim communities explain recent waves of terrorist attacks in these countries.
Muslim communities living in these countries differ in terms of ethnicity and tradition; however
they are predominantly Sunni Muslims and migrants from former French and British colonies.
Moreover, although Great Britain and France are both secular democracies, each country has its
own idiosyncrasies. France is a Laic republic where religion is confined to the private sphere,
whereas Great Britain is a secular state in which the Church of England continues to play an
important political and social role. This study argues that although government policies are an
important variable to be taken into consideration, it does not have a decisive impact on the radicalization of second generation Muslims.
2010-10-05
2010-10-05
2010
2010-10-05
2010-06
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/133
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.10
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1352023-05-09T08:12:04Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Assessing the uses of ICT in a private lebanese university. (c2010)
Ghattas Daouk, Amal
Educational Technology -- Lebanon -- Case studies
Education, Higher -- Effect of technological innovations on -- Lebanon -- Case studies
Information technology -- Lebanon -- Case studies
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 44-47).
With the globalization of businesses and the dramatic advances in technology, institutions of higher education acting as creators of future leaders found it necessary to incorporate in their curricula and daily operations the use of new tools of instruction and management, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The Lebanese American University (LAU), an American university located in Beirut, Lebanon is no exception. The aim of this research work is to assess ICT uses in a private Lebanese university, in the service of academic life. The study takes into consideration faculty’s, IT administrators’ and librarians’ beliefs about, and uses of technology in their academic work. Qualitative and quantitative analysis are used in this descriptive/ assessment study. Different groups of individuals are compared and contrasted in terms of differences according to certain criteria. Questionnaires distributed to twenty faculty members in the School of Business and twenty faculty members in the School of Arts and Sciences, and interviews with four faculty, seven librarians and three IT staff at LAU are also used in gathering the data needed. The researcher hopes these results will help educators and future researchers and other entities at the university make constructive changes in their endeavors. The results show that technology is developing very fast at the university and it has many usages. Teachers use technology for course preparation, registration, research and publications and to put material on line. They also use it to communicate with students, faculty and university administration. Librarians use technology to order and to select books, to communicate with other libraries abroad and to run the work flow. The use of ICT is changing the teachers’ and librarians’ working mode to the better.
2010-11-09
2010-11-09
2010
2010-11-09
2010-06-21
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/135
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.11
en
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1362021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Research based design for informal asessment techniques. (c2010)
Bohsali, Layal Adel
Educational tests and measruements -- Lebanon -- Case studies
Educational evaluation -- Lebanon -- Case studies
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 130-135).
The purpose of the present study is to provide support for teachers to assess grade two
students using informal assessment techniques. This project explores the importance of informal
assessment techniques and their effects on both the students and the teachers. Then, this project
provides teachers with guidelines on how to implement some of the assessment techniques that are
compatible to the Lebanese Curriculum.
2010-11-09
2010-11-09
2010
2010-11-09
7/14/2010
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/136
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.12
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1372021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
An inquiry-based modeling approach to developing graphing skills in seventh grade biology. (c2010)
Bou Hamdan, Diana
Biology -- Graphic methods
Biology -- Study and teaching (Middle school) -- Lebanon
Modeling
Graphing
Inquiry
Data display
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 50-52).
Modeling is a major aspect of science, and graphing is an abstract form of modeling that is
widely used in education. One of the teaching approaches that can be implemented in a science
classroom to improve students' graphing skills is the Inquiry-Based Modeling Approach
(IBMA). The purpose of the project was to redesign a biology unit adopting IBMA and aiming to
improve grade 1 students' graphing skills. The unit was redesigned based on Lehrer's data
display construct. This project was executed in the Lebanese context where there is inadequate
emphasis on developing graphing skills. In such a context where memorizing the content is the
major emphasis, students face many problems with graph construction and interpretation. A pilot
study was conducted on three grade 1 students to examine the feasibility of the redesigned unit.
The students were pre-tested and post-tested and the results were compared. Comparing the tests'
results showed that grade 1 students' graphing skills improved and that they were able to
appreciate the value of graphs more after the unit implementation.
2010-11-09
2010-11-09
2010
2010-11-09
6/2/2010
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/137
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.13
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1382021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
The effect of diglossia on vocabulary acquisition in Arabic of Lebanese bilingual students in a private school in Kfarshima. (c2010)
Fedda, Olfat Darwiche
Diglossia (Linguistics) -- Lebanon
Arabic language -- Vocabulary
Arabic language -- Study and teaching -- Lebanon
Second language acquisition
Diglossia
Vocabulary acquisition
Standard Arabic
Colloquial Arabic
Educated spoken Arabic
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 96-102).
The Arabic language is a difficult language to study due to the existence of two varieties
within the same language; that is, its diglossic nature. Consequently, vocabulary
acquisition in Arabic seems to suffer because both varieties known as standard Arabic
and colloquial Arabic are acquired in different ways and are linguistically distant. Only a
few vocabulary words are shared by both varieties while all the other vocabulary words
of standard Arabic need to be taught in school. Hence, the distance between the two
varieties of Arabic affects vocabulary acquisition of the language. No formal studies exist
on the relationship between diglossia and vocabulary acquisition. This study includes two
objectives. The first objective of this study is to investigate the effect of diglossia on
vocabulary acquisition of bilingual Lebanese students in Arabic. The second objective is
to determine which vocabulary (Arabic vs. English) students have a preference for.
Students' picture vocabulary acquisition was tested in Arabic and English. A correlation
design based on a two stage random sample was used. The participants (n = 100)
answered orally and in writing, depending on their age level, a subset of the Woodcock
Johnson-III Tests of Achievement (Picture Vocabulary). On a second task, they identified
orally and in writing, depending on their age level, the names of the different body parts
by looking at a drawing of a human figure. The results showed a significant relationship
between diglossia and vocabulary acquisition in Lebanese bilingual students. The
students showed more confidence in using the English language over Arabic. These
findings suggest that teachers need to use different research-based vocabulary strategies
to try to tailor to the students' needs and to try to overcome the diglossia challenge
related to the Arabic language.
2010-11-10
2010-11-10
2010
2010-11-10
6/10/2010
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/138
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.14
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1432021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Implementation of trust region methods in optimization. (c1998)
Hajj, Mohammed Omar
Mathematical optimization
Includes bibliographical references (l. 37).
This project presents a new approach to Quasi-Newton methods for
unconstrained optimization. Quasi-Newton Methods update at each iteration the
existing Hessian approximation (or its inverse) cheaply by integrating data derived
from the previously completed one, which is soon ignored. These methods are based
on the so-called Secant equation. In our project we focus on solving a critical
subproblem of the Quasi-Newton algorithm that requires determining a proper,
suitable step size that takes from the current approximation to the minimum to a new
'better' one. The subproblem can either be posed as doing a Line Search along some
generated search direction in order to determine a minimum along the search vector.
Another technique, on which we focus primarily in this work, is to use a Trust Region
method that directly computes the step vector without doing a focused Line Search.
The subproblem is critical to the numerical success of Q-N methods. We emphasize
features of successful implementation to pinpoint assess merits of Trust Region
methods. Our Numerical Results reveal that Trust Region algorithms seem to
markedly improve as the dimension of the problem increases, while for small dimensional problems performance of both methods is comparable.
2010-11-26
2010-11-26
1998
2010-11-26
1998-05
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/143
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.1998.1
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1442021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
A neuro-heuristic approach for segmenting handwritten Arabic text. (c2001)
Hamid, Alaa A.
Neural networks (Computer science)
Optical pattern recognition
Pattern recognition systems
Arabic language
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 83-87).
The segmentation and recognition of Arabic handwritten text has been an area of
great interest in the past few years. However, a small number of research papers and
reports have been published in this area. There are several major problems with Arabic
handwritten text processing: Arabic is written cursively and many external objects are
used such as dots, 'HanlZa', 'Madda', and diacritic objects. In addition, Arabic characters
have more than one shape according to their position inside a word. More than one
character can also share the same horizontal space, creating vertically overlapping
connected or disconnected blocks of characters. This makes the problem of segmentation
of Arabic text into characters, and their classification even more difficult. In this work a technique is presented that segments difficult handwritten Arabic
text. A conventional algorithm is used for the initial segmentation of the text into
connected blocks of characters. The algorithm then generates pre-segmentation points for
these blocks. A neural network is subsequently used to verify the accuracy of these
segmentation points. Another conventional algorithm uses the verified segmentation
points and segments the connected blocks of characters. These characters can then be used
as input to another neural network for classification. Two major problems were encountered in the above scenario. First, the
segmentation phase proved to be successful in vertical segmentation of connected blocks
of characters. However, it couldn't segment characters that were overlapping horizontally,
and this affects any neural network classifier.
Second, there are a lot of handwritten characters that can be segmented and
classified into two or more different classes depending on whether you look at them
separately, or in a word, or even in a sentence. In other words, character segmentation and
classification, especially handwritten Arabic characters, depends largely on contextual
information, and not only on topographic features extracted from these characters.
2010-12-02
2010-12-02
2001
2010-12-02
2001-02
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/144
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2001.1
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1472021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Improved scatter search algorithm for predicting all-atoms protein structures using charmm22 energy model. (c2010)
Ghalayini, Iwan Adnan
Proteins -- Structure -- Mathematical models
Computer algorithms -- Statistical applications
Scattering (Mathematics)
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 75-80).
Proteins are organic compounds made up of chains of amino acids. Chemical and
physical properties determine the 3-dimensional structure and folding of a protein. A
protein needs to be folded into its proper 3D structure for its function to remain intact.
The protein structure prediction problem has real-world implication, since the 3D
structure of a protein gives important clues regarding its function, localization, and
interactions. Wet laboratory techniques are costly in terms of time and effort,
consequently having a right protein structure prediction model reduces cost and time
by eliminating some of the initial wet lab work. Consequently, we need to study
methods that predict protein structures. In this thesis, we present an improved scatter
search (SS) algorithm for predicting all-atoms protein structures using the
CHARMM22 energy model. Our algorithm produces a 3D structure of the whole
protein by minimizing the energy function linked to protein folding. This is based on
a sequence of amino acids as well as on data collected from known protein structures
for comparative purposes. Defined as an evolutionary algorithm, SS relies on a
population of candidate solutions. Candidate solutions, over a number of iterations,
experience evolutionary operations which combine intense search and diversification.
Our algorithm is evaluated on few proteins, whose structure is defined in a Protein
Data Bank (PDB). The results generated by the improved SS algorithm are compared
with those of other energy models. Our results showed that our algorithm produces
3D structures with good and promising root mean square deviations from the
reference proteins. This study also demonstrates the advantage of the CHARMM22
energy model.
2010-12-08
2010-12-08
2010
2010-12-08
10/7/2010
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/147
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.16
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1482021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
A comparative study of regression testing methods. (c1996)
Baradhi, Ghinwa S.
Regression teaching methods -- Comparative studies
Includes bibliographical references (l. 70-71).
We present a comparative study of popular regressIOn testing algorithms. These
algorithms include slicing, incremental, firewall, genetic, and simulated annealing
algorithms. The study uses a variety of small-size and medium-size modules along with
associated test cases tables, and is based on the following quantitative and qualitative
criteria, efficiency, number of retests, precision, inclusiveness, user's parameter setting,
global variables, type of maintenance, type of testing, level of testing, and type of
approach. The comparison results show that the five algorithms are suitable for different
requirements of regression testing. Slicing and adapted firewall algorithms detect the
definition-use pairs that are affected by a change, and select the test cases for regression
testing based on these definition-use pairs. Incremental algorithm selects the test cases
whose outputs may be affected. Genetic and simulated annealing select the minimum
number of test cases that provide full testing coverage. In terms of execution time for
small-size modules, slicing, incremental, and adapted firewall algorithms exhibit a better
behavior comparing to genetic and simulated annealing algorithms. For medium-size
modules, the adapted firewall algorithm becomes the slowest. Genetic and simulated
annealing algorithms produce the least number of retests, followed by incremental,
slicing, and then adapted firewall.
2010-12-13
2010-12-13
1996
2010-12-13
1996-06
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/148
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.1996.2
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1512021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
A new approach to record clustering for large databases. (c1997)
Makhoulian, Raffi H.
Cluster analysis -- Computer programs
Computer algorithms
Algorithms
Includes bibliographical references.
This work introduces a new approach to record clustering where a hybrid algorithm is
presented that clusters records based upon threshold values and the query patterns
made to a particular database. We study the space density of a file and how it affects
retrieval time before and after clustering. The hamming distaoce of a file is used as a
measure of space density. The objective of the algorithm is to minimize the hamming
distance of the file while attaching significance to the most frequent queries being
asked. Simulation experiments conducted proved that a great reduction in response
time is yielded after the restructuring of a file. Criteria, such as, block size, threshold
value, percentage of records satisfYing a given set of queries, etc ... , which affect
clustering and response time are also studied. Random statistical and graph theory are
used to substantiate the experimental results. As a further means for predicting
perfonnance, regression analysis is employed and later compared to experimental
figure.
2010-12-13
2010-12-13
1997
2010-12-13
1997-06
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/151
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.1997.1
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1592023-05-09T08:08:37Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
The effect of language WebQuest on the higher order thinking skills of Lebanese high school students. (c2010)
Bizri, Zeina Abdellatif
English language -- Study and teaching -- Computer-assisted instruction for foreign speakers
Education, Secondary -- Computer-assisted instruction -- Lebanon
Critical thinking -- Computer-assisted instruction
Computer literacy
Includes bibliographical references (l. 93-111).
The advancement in computer technology over the last forty years has affected many
aspects of education. This advancement has prompted educators to gradually attempt
integrating this technology into their classroom practices by using computer assisted
language learning (CALL) programs. Moreover, this integration has further prompted
educators to find a theoretical framework to govern their integration of information
technology or IT. This paper attempts to study the extent to which CALL applications
could affect students’ higher order thinking skills. It also examines the effectiveness of
a WebQuest on learners’ critical thinking abilities and the practices teachers adopt to
foster these abilities.The study is conducted through a mixed method causalcomparative
design using purposive sampling of 48 students in three different classes.
Results indicate that students who use CALL showed higher order skills such as critical
thinking and problem solving in acquiring the target language than those who do not.
However, the results also indicated that knowledge of use of computer key board skills
and use of software and the internet could hinder learning if not dealt with efficiently.
Implications for classroom teaching/learning and recommendations for future research
are made.
2010-12-20
2010-12-20
2010
2010-12-20
2010-09
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/159
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.17
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1612021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Effects of short term genotropin (rgGH) subcutaneous injection on active ghrelin concentration in rat plasma, stomach, kidney & pancreas. (c2007)
Haddad, Haytham
Ghrelin
Gastrointestinal hormones
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 41-60.).
Ghrelin is a 28-amino acid octanoylated peptide that has been isolated from rat stomach and stimulates pituitary growth hormone secretion. Growth hormone (GH) is a potent endocrine modulator of growth and metabolism. Genotropin is a recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) that increases lean body mass, skeletal muscle mass, muscle force and strength, aerobic performance, and fat loss. A very important issue regarding ghrelin physiology is whether an axis or loop exists between pituitary GH on one hand and plasma, stomach, pancreas and kidney ghrelin on the other hand thus reflecting how GH elevations or reductions directly affect ghrelin homeostasis and secretion. The purpose of this experiment was to study the effects of a 5 day treatment of genotropin subcutaneous injection (2, 20, and 100 μg/rat/day) on active ghrelin concentration in rat plasma, stomach, kidney, and pancreas samples.. The Active Ghrelin ELISA kit results showed a significant increase in active ghrelin concentration in the rat plasma samples and a significant decrease in active ghrelin concentration in the rat stomach, kidney, and pancreas supernatants. Moreover, protein results using Lowry assay for protein determination showed that genotropin injection led to an increase in protein concentration in stomach and kidney samples and to a drastic decrease in protein concentration in the pancreas samples. Calculations revealed that genotropin injection decreased active ghrelin concentration per μg of protein in stomach and kidney supernatant but had no significant effect on active ghrelin concentration per μg of protein in pancreas supernatant. In conclusion, these findings show that GH lowers active ghrelin concentration in the stomach, kidney, and pancreas samples thus suggesting a feedback loop between stomach, kidney and pancreas ghrelin on one hand, and pituitary GH on the other hand.
2010-12-20
2010-12-20
2007
2010-12-20
2007
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/161
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2007.1
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1642021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Efficient techniques for testing networks on chips. (c2010)
Abou Eid, Nancy
Networks on a chip
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-69).
Network-on-Chip (NoC) is a new technology that embeds heterogeneous intercon-
nected cores. NoC's design is based on a selected network topology, a switching tech-
nique and a routing strategy in order to allow on chip communication. Its advantages
over System-on-Chip (SoC) are that NoC provides modularity, higher performance,
better structure, and compatibility with core designs and reuse. Trades-o exist be-
tween them.
In this thesis, we tackle the NoC core testing time problem. We use a grid topology,
a variable Test Access Mechanism (TAM), a computed optimal
it size based on the
bandwidth and bu er size, the standard test wrapper, and XY routing strategy. Our
goal is to test all cores, under the above constraints, while minimizing overall NoC test
time. For this purpose, we have partitioned the cores into sets using two partitioning
techniques. The rst is based on grouping together all cores that have similar or close
core testing time, and the second is partitioned based on the lower bound computed
for each benchmark. In order to evaluate our work, we present experimental results
that are compared to each other.
2010-12-20
2010-12-20
2010
2010-12-20
5/20/2010
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/164
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.19
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1692021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
FESP. (c1995)
Haidar, Kamal
Schedules, School
School management and organization
Production scheduling
Includes bibliographical references.
Final Exam Scheduling is a real and troublesome problem that all institutions of higher
education are fuced with a few times a year. This report presents the implementation of
a Final Exam Scheduling Package (FESP) at the LEBANESE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY. FESP
distributes the final exams among the exam sessions and assigns exams to classrooms.
It takes into consideration student conflicts and accommodates splitting of exams
among classrooms and sharing classrooms among exams. We present the package
specification, the approach, the algorithms, the design, and the implementation
techniques (using ORACLE R-DBMS and Tools). The experimental results obtained on
real-life data show that FESP yields a substantial decrease in the number of exam
conflicts in comparison with those obtained by the manually prepared exam schedule.
2010-12-23
2010-12-23
1995
2010-12-23
1995-05
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/169
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.1995.5
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1712021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Software maintenance tool. (c1995)
Yassin, Rabe'ah H.
Software maintenance
Includes bibliographical references.
This report describes a software maintenance tool that reduces the maintenance effort and
cost. Its goals are: to provide consistent documentation of a software system during both
its development and maintenance phases; to help maintainers understand the architecture
and algorithm of a software system without having to go over the actual code or paper
documents; to identify any interrelationship between the various parts of a software
system so that maintainers can better determine the affected and involved parts in a
maintenance change; to provide a disciplined procedure to implement any maintenance
action.
An important feature of this tool is dealing with the version control problem which is
needed in any baseline, where multiple versions of the same software and its parts are
present, facilitating the identification of each configuration of a software system and its
constituent parts at anyone time.
2010-12-23
2010-12-23
1995
2010-12-23
1995-05
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/171
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.1995.6
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1752023-05-09T08:05:21Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
To teach or not to teach grammar. (c2005)
Abu-Teen, Maya
English language -- Grammar -- Study and teaching
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 66-71).
The debate of whether to teach or not to teach grammar has been of great significance in
the language field. Nowadays, the teaching of grammar is being re-evaluated. Many
researchers believe that grammar in itself is essential; it is the way it was treated that
made it dull and ineffective. Therefore, the focus of this project is to find effective and
motivating ways in which grammar can be introduced to students. The intent of this paper
is to help teachers present grammar in a motivating way. Thus, this project provides
teachers with a teaching kit that has a number of interesting and fun techniques to help
students notice grammatical structures and apply them while communicating with each
other in a relaxed environment. Teachers can adjust the proposed techniques according to
the needs of their students. The provided kit is a guideline for teachers who are willing to
innovate in the classroom and allow for continuous interaction between students.
2011-01-04
2011-01-04
2005
2011-01-04
2005-08
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/175
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2005.1
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1762023-05-09T08:03:15Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Teaching social skills to students with learning disabilities. (c2006)
Bassous, Tassoula Georges
Learning disabled children -- Education (Elementary)
Social skills in children -- Study and teaching (Elementary)
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 55-60).
Th is project aimed to present to teachers the im porta nce and the diffe rem
approac hes of teach ing soc ial skills to lower elementary learning disabled
students. Prior to the di ffe rent intervent ion s, a literature rev iew di scusses
various characteri stics of lea rning disabilit ies and soc ia l sk ills de fi cits. The
project focused on one type of soc ia l skill s, the asserti veness tra ining, due to
its importance in a student's life. Severa l activit ies re lated to asse rtiveness
skill using several l11ultiple techn iques are prese nted in order to help the teacher integrate social skills in the curriculul11.
2011-01-04
2011-01-04
2006
2011-01-04
5/1/2006
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/176
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2006.1
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1772023-05-09T08:01:16Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Exploring differences in leadership styles between men and women school principals. (c2005)
Mouchantaf, Maha S.
Educational leadership -- Lebanon -- Sex differences
School principals -- Lebanon
Women school principals -- Lebanon
Sex differences in education -- Lebanon
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 37-39).
The purpose of the present study was to examine differences in leadership styles
between men and women school principals in Lebanon. In other words, thi s study
explored gender differences among school principals. The sample of thi s study
consisted of two principals and twelve teachers belonging to two schools in Lebanon.
The instruments used were interviews and observation sessions developed accord ing
to the western literature. The results reveal ed that women school principals lead in a
more open, efficient and democratic way than men school principals do. The male
school principal in this study was authoritarian, used one way communication
patterns, took decisions unilaterally, didn't empower the teachers and handled
conflicts in a one-sided approach. On the other hand, the female school principal in
this study was democratic, used direct interpersonal contacts, decided collaboratively,
empowered her teachers and consequently trusted them and resolved confl icts justly.
Similarly, the teachers under the male school principal perceived him as authoritarian
and the teachers under the female school principal described her as democrati c.
Additionally, the observation reports suppOlted the results and reveal ed the existence
of two different leadership styles in the two schools.
2011-01-04
2011-01-04
2005
2011-01-04
2005-06
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/177
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2005.2
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1782021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Influence of professional development on teachers' self-efficacy. (c2005)
Salam, Lina
Self-efficacy
Teachers -- In-service training
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-63).
Professional Development is related to in-service training of teachers in workshops, and
to collaborative work within professional communi tics in which teachers reflect on their
practices and exchange ideas and activities. Teacher's self-efficacy is related to thc teacher's
confidcnce in hislher ability to exhibit innovative strategies, motivate students and produce
change in their outcomes. A study was conducted in a private non-profit school located in
Beirut to examine the influence of professional development on teacher's self-efficacy.
Qucstionnaires, interviews and observations were conducted to triangulate data results.
Participants included fourteen teachers, whereas interviews were conducted with three
coordinators who were chosen purposefully. It was found that professional development has
positive influence on teachers' self- efficacy. Future researchers could conduct this study on a
laiger sample of schools or they can change it into a longitudinal research with statistical
measures to obtain more reliable results.
2011-01-04
2011-01-04
2005
2011-01-04
6/28/2005
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/178
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2005.3
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1792021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
The induction process for teachers. (c2005)
Nehme, Rima A.
Teacher orientation -- Lebanon -- Case studies
First year teachers -- Training of -- Lebanon -- Case studies
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 47-48).
The purpose of this study is to investigate the following areas of induction programs:
components, effects, principals' roles, and mentors' roles. The target school, located
in the suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, has 759 students and 112 staff members, most of
whom come from the middle socio-economic status. Data were collected through the
use of questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Frequency counts were used
for the analysis of questionnaires and interviews were transcribed, categorized, and
analyzed. The results of both interviews and questionnaires were compared and found
in harmony. Results showed that teachers have good relations with their directors.
However, providing teachers with a handbook may serve useful in learning the
school's rules and regulations. Also, results show that earlier hiring and recruiting
may help in preparing teachers for their teaching profession. The results were found
to be in harmony with those in the reviewed literature.
2011-01-05
2011-01-05
2005
2011-01-05
2005
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/179
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2005.4
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1802021-03-19T09:58:56Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
A multimedia temporal database model. (c2006)
Dernaika, Nasrat M.
Multimedia systems
Temporal databases
Relational databases
Includes bibliographical references (leaf [32]).
Multimedia databases are becoming an increasingly important area for research and
application in the entire field of database systems, therefore multimedia databases is
considered a new topic of research which is still very active and highly demanded. T emporal
databases aroused long time ago, since users started requesting databases that support the
time dimension feature, still this subject is under progress and research. This paper explores
the nature and implications for Multimedia and Temporal database models with an overview
about the nature if both models. Furthermore, this paper imposes a description and
implementation for a new model; A Temporal Multimedia Database Model. Suggestions for
a further work are proposed to cover the gaps discussed concerning this topic. The paper
concludes with a brief discussion of the appropriateness and limitations of a temporal
multimedia database model till our current time.
2011-01-05
2011-01-05
2006
2011-01-05
4/20/2006
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/180
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2006.2
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1812021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
The importance of leaders' emotional intelligence. (c2004)
Hammoud, Iman
Educational leadership -- Lebanon -- Beirut
Emotional intelligence
College administrators -- Rating of -- Lebanon -- Beirut
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 34-36).
This study was conducted on II department heads at Universite Saint-Joseph (USJ) to
examine whether emotional intelligence is a qua lity of leadership at institutions of higher
education in Lebanon. Participants were selected according to non-probability sampling
based on the researcher's judgment The participants answered the EQ-i: S questionnaire. The
scores were evaluated according to scales following the guidelines of the EQ-i: S manual.
Results showed that emotional intelligence is a qua lity of leadership at USJ. Department
heads received average to high scores in Total EQ except for one male leader. Females scored
slightly higher than males on Total EQ. Moreover, female academic leaders showed better
stress management scores than male academic leaders. Age and gender differences were not
apparent in the other scales.
2011-01-05
2011-01-05
2004
2011-01-05
8/26/2004
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/181
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2004.1
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1852021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Eye2see, a mobile surveillance system for pocket PC. (c2004)
Souki, Sami M.
Electronic surveillance
Mobile computing
Cell phone systems
Includes bibliographical references (leave 14).
2011-01-05
2011-01-05
2004
2011-01-05
2004-08
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/185
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2004.2
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1892021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
A kit to teach Arabic decoding and spelling to students with dyslexia. (c2006)
Hazoury, Katia H.
Dyslexics -- Arab countries -- Education
Arabic language -- Phonemics -- Study and teaching
Dyslexia
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-66).
The proposed project will bring into use the strategies needed in teaching decoding of the
Arabic language to dyslexic Arab students following the synthetic, explicit phonics
approach through a multisensory technique, based in part on the reading program Recipe
for Reading. A detailed development of the multisensory lessons is provided, and a
sample lesson is included.
2011-01-05
2011-01-05
2006
2011-01-05
2006-03
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/189
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2006.3
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1902021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
E-Doc medical decision support system. (c2005)
Bogharian, Norair-Sevag K.
Artificial intelligence -- Medical applications
Decision support systems
Diagnosis -- Decision making -- Data processing
Decision making -- Data processing
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 47-48).
2011-01-05
2011-01-05
2005
2011-01-05
2005-07
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/190
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2005.5
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1952021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Sensitivity to parameters and general applicability of genetic algorithms and simulated annealing algorithms for mapping data to multicomputers. (c1994)
Kawash, Jalal Y.
Algorithms
Computer graphics
Parallel processing (Electronic computers)
Combinatorial optimization
Parallel computers
Includes bibliographical references.
We analyze the sensitivity to parameters and the general applicability of genetic algorithms and simulated annealing algorithms for mapping data to distributed-memory
multicomputers, using the loosely synchronous computation model. The analysis includes sensitivity to user parameters, fault tolerance capability, and applicability to
different multicomputer topologies. The user parameters are either objective function dependent or algorithm dependent. The fault tolerance capability is demonstrated by
using the mapping algorithms for mapping data to a multicomputer that has some failed processors. We assume a hypercube multicomputer architecture in most
experiments. However, comparative results for mesh, array, ring, tree, star graph, and
fully connected topologies are presented. The mapping algorithms used are sequential
hybrid genetic algorithm, versions of a distributed genetic algorithm, sequential simulated annealing algorithm, and a simulated parallel simulated annealing algorithm. The experimental results verifY that these algorithms are insensitive to user parameters
in wide ranges, completely fault tolerant, and unbiased towards particular
multicomputer topologies. These results support the conjecture that physical optimization algorithms are flexible and have general applicability, where these properties are necessary for the automation of the mapping process.
2011-01-07
2011-01-07
1994
2011-01-07
1994-12
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/195
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.1994.4
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/1962021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
An interactive resource management tool for Makassed association. (c1997)
Fattouh, Nizar S.
Geographical information systems
Makassed Philanthropic Islamic Association
Includes bibliographical references.
The system presented herein aims at putting together a decision support tool that
functions on a GIS platform. The project has been specifically tailored for Makassed which is a philanthropic association, with many institutions that have been founded in order to provide services to the Moslem groups in Lebanon. Makassed needs a tool that could be used as a reference in order to allow people to have a general idea
about its institutions and about what they offer. The best method found to achieve this objective is to use Geographic Information Systems (GIS), because a GIS can handle spatial data in addition, to aspatial data. So by using GIS we will be able to
relate the locations of these institutions (spatial data) to any data that describe them
(aspatial data). The project consists of a multimedia tool, a capital budgeting tool, a scheduling tool, and finally a grave identification tool.
2011-01-07
2011-01-07
1997
2011-01-07
6/23/1997
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/196
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.1997.4
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2022021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Software engineering practices in Lebanon and suggestions for Lebanese requirements analysis and software testing standards. (c1996)
Hajjar, Marianne F.
Software engineering -- Standards -- Lebanon
Computer software -- Testing
Includes bibliographical references (l. [82-84]).
We analyze the Software Engineering practices in Lebanon and provide suggestions
for local requirements analysis and software testing standards. The analysis is based
on a questionnaire answered by local Software Engineering companies. The analysis
results show great lack in documentation and standardization. Our suggested local
standards are based on a selection of international standards namely the ISO, British
and IEEE Software Engineering Standards. These standards would improve the local
software quality and guide the local software engineers in producing internationally
marketable software products.
2011-01-10
2011-01-10
1996
2011-01-10
1996-08
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/202
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.1996.5
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2062021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Public schools regrouping decision support system. (c1997)
Rishani, Ghada
Public schools -- Databases -- Lebanon
Geographical information systems
Schools regrouping decision support system (SRDSS) -- Lebanon
Includes bibliographical references.
The Public Schools Regrouping project is a project initiated by the Ministry of
Education. It involves managing and planning (such as regrouping) of schools distribution in Lebanon with the aim of satisfying educational, economical and
national criteria. In this work, we have developed a software tool referred to as the
Schools Regrouping Decision Support System (SRDSS), that consists of four components: (a) Schools database that contains information about students, teachers,
and schools, (b) Towns Database that contains information about the town's
population and geographical location, (c) Schools Regrouping Algorithm, and (d)
Geographical Information System that help in visualizing data and the algorithm's
results.
The original contributions of this work are: (a) the formulation of the schools
regrouping problem as a weighted graph problem, and (b) the application of the pcenters schools regrouping algorithm to determinehow the current schools, in a userdefined
region, can be regrouped to a smaller user-defined number, p, of schools such
that user-defined criteria are satisfied.
The experimental application of the algorithm to the Aley Caza shows the
flexibility of the algorithm in supporting regrouping decisions and gives good results
that are clearly consistent with the stated criteria.
2011-01-10
2011-01-10
1997
2011-01-10
1997-03
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/206
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.1997.7
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2072021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Lebanese standards for software development process. (c1998)
Shallah, Ihab Z.
Computer software -- Development
Computer programming -- Management
Includes bibliographical references.
It is well-known that "software engineers" in Lebanon do not use standard methods. The common belief is that using standards might add to the cost of the software. This work goes against the common belief and emphasizes software quality and documentation. In this project, we propose standards for software development in
Lebanon and present guidelines for using these standards. The proposed standards are based on IEEE's and ISO's standards and on personal experience. They are simplified
and tailored to suit the small- to minimum-size activities of lebanese software
organizations. The proposed guidelines are presented in a checklist easy-to-use fashion.
2011-01-10
2011-01-10
1998
2011-01-10
1998-02
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/207
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.1998.2
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2092021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Software quality system for Lebanese companies. (c1997)
Fidaoui, Badia Z.
Business enterprises -- Lebanon -- Case studies
Computer software -- Quality control
Includes bibliographical references.
Based on a study conducted on the Lebanese software firms, it was found that the development process is applied based on subjective assessments and self made rules,
documentation and planning issues are not the main concern, and assuring quality in
software is regarded as a burden that delays the production of software and increases its cost. This showed the need of the Lebanese firms for a quality system to be
introduced into their companies. The quality system is suggested for small-to-medium
scale Lebanese firms in order to attain an acceptable level of quality in the software production industry. It is based on a selection of international standards namely the
ISO and IEEE SQA standards. It contains and focuses on the minimum activities to be carried out in each of the development phases. The aim is to produce a simple and direct quality system integrated into the entire development phases and accepted by the
Lebanese firms' managers. A case study is also presented, where the suggested quality system is implemented at a small scale Lebanese company.
2011-01-10
2011-01-10
1997
2011-01-10
1997-08
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/209
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.1997.8
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2282021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Clustering records in information retrieval systems. (c1995)
Al-Saffar, Maisaa
Management information systems
Information storage and retrieval systems
Includes bibliographical references.
This project is a study of the space density of a file and how it affects retrieval time. The number of blocks that are retrieved when a query is made to the
document is used as a measure of response time. The space density is an
indication of how close related records are placed. The hannning distance of a
file is used as a measure of space density. A sequencing algorithm based on
threshold values that reorders records in a file so as to increase average record
similarity is used to obtain varying space densities. Simulation experiments
conducted proved that a great reduction in response time is yielded after the
restructuring of a file with a reasonable amount of work required in sequencing.
Other terms such as block size and terms in a query which affect response time are studied. Results from the experiments are shown graphically. Statistical methods are used to confirm the experimental results.
2011-01-14
2011-01-14
1995
2011-01-14
1995-03
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/228
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.1995.9
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2292021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Software tool for regression testing. (c1997)
Araby, Nidal H.
Regression analysis -- Computer programs
Includes bibliographical references.
We have developed a software tool that draws flow graphs for C programs and displays
testing coverage information in a graphical and user friendly way. The tool helps the
software engineer/maintainer to get a feel for the testing process and tables generated
by any other testing tool. It also provides a framework for experimenting with
regression testing algorithms. Within this framework, we have implemented a reduction based regression testing algorithm. This algorithm assumes that the testing criteria are
given by a set of requirements with associated subsets of test cases and then tries to
satisfY these requirements with a minimum of test cases. We have used the tool to compare a number of regression testing algorithms. The comparative study uses a variety of small-size and medium-size modules and is based on quantitative and
qualitative criteria. The comparison results show that the six algorithms are suitable for different requirements of regression testing. For medium-size modules, the adapted
firewall algorithm is the slowest. The genetic and simulated annealing algorithms produce the least number of retests, followed by reduction, then incremental, slicing, and adapted firewall algorithms.
2011-01-14
2011-01-14
1997
2011-01-14
1997-02
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/229
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.1997.9
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2302021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Complexity metrics for small business software applications in ACCESS environment. (c1999)
Abiad, Sana F.
Computer software -- Evaluation
Microsoft Access
Computer software -- Reliability
Includes bibliographical references (l. 119-125).
Without measurements (or metrics) it is impossible to detect problems early in the software process. 'Software Metrics' can serve as an early warning system for potential problems. In this project, we propose complexity metrics for small business applications developed using MS Access. These metrics can be used for estimating
the effort and duration of a project's implementation phase. The proposed metrics are
base on Function Point metrics with certain modifications that make them applicable
to relational database languages.
2011-01-14
2011-01-14
1999
2011-01-14
1999-06
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/230
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.1999.1
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2312021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Software metrics programme for Lebanese software companies. (c1997)
Slim, Rima S.
Computer programs -- Lebanon
Includes bibliographical references.
We introduce the subject of software measurement to software practitioners in Lebanon, and we propose a comprehensive process-oriented approach for an effective use of
software metrics. We therefore overview related areas, for instance the Goal-QuestionMetric
paradigm and the Capability Maturity Model. We also present a set of software metrics. To be of practical use, we propose an exhaustive Software Metrics Programme to
guide a typical Lebanese software company through the initiation and implementation of
software metrics in its environment. We finally present a case study of the implementation
of such a metrics initiative in a Lebanese company.
2011-01-14
2011-01-14
1997
2011-01-14
1997-02
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/231
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.1997.10
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2342021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
ADHD and play therapy kit. (c2009)
Ghussein, Mariyam Kinda
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Treatment
Play therapy
Includes bibliographical references (l. 41-44).
This project describes the influence of play therapy on children with ADHD and
whether it helps to improve their condition. A pilot study was perfonned on a student
who was diagnosed to be an ADHD child. Play capacities and Ludic behavior are
described and analyzed in relation to intellectual capacities. Students demonstrate
their abilities in the setting of the appropriate scenes on stage and use of miniature characters and objects. The outcome of the work of both groups of students (those on medication and those
without medication) in both assessments are carefully observed and recorded. Four
out of the six elements of the Ludic attitude, curiosity, initiative, pleasure, and
spontaneity are present irrespective of IQ level. The application of the kit helps to determine In each student the presence (or absence) of sense of humor and enjoyment of challenge while applying play/all
therapy (Mesier, Ferland & Majnemer, 2007). According to Mesier, et al. (2007) "play performance provides insight into a chi ld's development in physical, cognitive,
as well as social domains" (p. 193). The experience of play gives a child sati sfaction
and enjoyment allowing himlher to externalize hislher hidden emotions and nmv,<1 an 0ppollunity for him/her to learn and gain knowledge (Mesier, et al. 2007). The kit
was created to discover the intellectual capacities of disabled chi ldren who are not on
medication and compare their results with those who are on medication to find out how much play/all therapy can be beneficial for both groups of children and find out the level of improvement of their attention span in retaining what they can watch,
feel, hear and do. Play perfonnance could be useful for both assessments and
treatment of these children and evaluate their abi liti es. The evaluation relies on nonstandardized
tools that have been created to assess the abi lities of these children and find out to what extent the kit can be a beneficial intervention in improving and
developing their attention. Hence, the objective of this pilot study is to describe the
play perfonnance of Lebanese students with intellectual impairments and to
determine the association between the intensity of intellectual impairment and play
performance. Play perfonnance is comprehensively characterized with respect to developmental level as well as interests, abilities and attitudes of play.
2011-01-14
2011-01-14
2009
2011-01-14
6/26/2009
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/234
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2009.7
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2372021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Civil society in a sectarian context. (c2010)
Khattab, Lara
Civil society -- Lebanon
Non-governmental organizations -- Lebanon
Women -- Lebanon -- Social conditions
Women's rights -- Lebanon
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 181-196).
This thesis problematizes the literature underscoring the role of civil society in bringing about democratic reforms, complementing the most recent approaches in
studying the persistence of authoritarianism in the Arab world but moves away from
them by focusing on the highly fragmented context of Lebanon where sectarian leaders
developed strategies towards women’s advocacy community to impede gender social
policy reforms and democratic outcomes. It thus focuses on the limited success that the women’s movement in Lebanon achieved since its inception. The thesis examines the
strategies of the sectarian ruling elite vis-à-vis women’s rights NGOs to explain how they
may neutralize, divide, co-opt and manipulate these associations to preserve their
sectarian control or use them to further their own political interests. This thesis also argues that sectarian leaders are not the only party to blame for the neutralization of women’s groups, but also elite women with strong ties to the sectarian and religious leaders play an instrumental role in this process. This, consequently, impedes prospects
for gender-based reforms and democratic consolidation. Grassroots women’s demands are downplayed as they upset the formal and informal pillars of political power in
Lebanon: sectarianism and clientelism. In this deeply divided context, civic groups seeking gender equality and a greater democratization of the system are only allowed to raise issues that consolidate or, at best, fail to challenge the hegemony of the sectarian ruling elites and their social allies. Moreover, this thesis examines the role of
international funding and their gender agendas in Lebanon. It contends that international
aid agencies’ policies and strategies in Lebanon strengthen the sectarian hegemony of the
ruling elite and impedes prospects for real women’s empowerment.
2011-01-17
2011-01-17
2010
2011-01-17
8/30/2010
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/237
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.21
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2382021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Feedback. (c2010)
Majari, Basma
Feedback (Psychology)
Creative writing (Secondary education)
Teacher-student relationships -- Lebanon
Teacher feedback
Peer feedback
Process writing
Revision
Secondary students
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-83).
Feedback plays a central role in writing development. The immense studies conducted on the
effectiveness of teacher feedback and peer feedback have resulted in inconsistent findings. While
some found that teacher and peer feedback were futile and induced little revision, others found
that they did enhance students’ writing skills. This research project reported on the study of the
effect of teacher and peer feedback in writing among 10th grade secondary L2 students in one
private school in Lebanon. Moreover, it examined students’ perception toward teacher and peer
feedback. Both quantitative and qualitative data were obtained and triangulated. A content analysis of three writing essays was applied. A pre-post questionnaire was addressed to L2
students to analyze their perceptions toward teacher and peer feedback. The interviews with the
L2 learners identified the role of peer and teacher feedback. A classroom observation revealed
the features of peer interaction. Findings showed that teacher feedback was preferred to peer
feedback. No statistically significant data was obtained concerning the impact of teacher and peer feedback on the writing quality. The implications of the findings of this study for the writing teacher were also discussed.
2011-01-17
2011-01-17
2010
2011-01-17
2010-08
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/238
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.22
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2432021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
ELISSAR. (c1997)
Nasreddine, Diana M.
Testing -- Data processing
Regression analysis -- Computer programs
Path analysis -- Computer programs
Includes bibliographical references.
Software testing is done within the implementation phase of the Software Development
Life Cycle (SDLC) in order to provide confidence about the correctness of the software.
Regression testing is done in the maintenance phase to verify that the modifications made
have not caused unintended adverse side effects and that the modified system still meets
the requirements. Testing and Regression testing are significant and costly parts of SDLC.
Therefore, Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tools are needed by software engineers to assist them for performing these activities. ELISSAR is such a CASE tool
developed at LAU which takes a procedural program as an input and provides the
following functionality:
(a) It generates and displays control flow graph
(b) It generates and displays def-use graph
( c) It assists in dataflow testing
(d) It provides test coverage information
(e) It includes a few regression testing algorithms that suit different user requirements.
2011-01-26
2011-01-26
1997
2011-01-26
1997-06
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/243
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.1997.11
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2622021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Neo-conservatism after Iraq Fukuyama vs Kristol. (c2010)
Ibrahim, Chantal Yaacoub
Conservatism -- United States
Fukuyama, Francis -- Views on war
Kristol, William -- Views on war
Iraq War, 2003- -- Moral and ethical aspects
Just war doctrine
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 65-73).
In 1998 prominent neoconservattves in the US. drafted a letter to President Bil! Clinton
demanding U.S. action to end tyranny in Iraq. Military action was advocated as a mean to eliminate Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction, remove Iraq's President Saddam Hussein from power, and initiate a democratic domino effect throughout the Middle Eastern reglOn. Following the manifestatIOn of the neoconservatives' iraqi agenda by President George W.
Bush's administration and the conclusion of the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, neoconservative
ideologues split around the lessons earned. One group was persistent in its stand that the US decision to launch a preemptive and unilateral war represented an opportunity to promote global
democracy and 1J.S. supremacy The second group held the position that unilateralism and
coercive regime change would implicate US foreign policy decision with global isolationism.
This thesis examines the positions of both camps through the views held by two prominent
neoconservatives: William Kristol and Francis Fukuyama The thesis reveals the theoretical
repositioning of the US neoconservatives that followed the 2003 Iraq invasion with prospect of
their reorientation toward a U S. foreign policy rapprochement in Iran.
2011-03-08
2011-03-08
2010
2011-03-08
7/29/2010
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/262
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.23
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2632021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
States, borders and human rights. (c2010)
Dally, Farah
Lebanon -- Boundaries -- Syria
Syria -- Boundaries -- Lebanon
Border crossing
Human rights
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 141-145).
The issue of border control and human rights has become one of the main political agendas
when addressing global issues and has raised concern amongst a great number of scholars on
an international level. This has the consequence of making the issue a rather disputed in nature
as different actors in different positions address it from different perspectives and assign
different meanings to it. My thesis was motivated by a pursuit to gain a better understanding of
this ambiguity and array of approaches and further, how border control between Lebanon and
Syria and human rights is understood and approached within the discursive phenomenon. In
order to achieve my objective, I conducted an assessment study of all research made in this
topic. In order to gain primary information I carried out meetings and conducted fieldwork by
visiting the three selected Lebanese border areas (Il Ka’a, Aarsal, Yanta).I undertook a sampling
and analysis of the relevant data for the purpose of reaching viable outcomes which have the
potential to preserve the human rights of Lebanese border communities while guaranteeing
efficient border control between Lebanon and Syria. The expected outcome of this thesis is
identifying solutions and recommendations that allow the implementation of border control
without violation of human rights. In other words, the thesis will argue for the possibility of
“soft” border control between Lebanon and Syria, preserving proficient control of border
crossing points whilst ensuring Lebanese border communities their basic human rights.
2011-03-08
2011-03-08
2010
2011-03-08
10/22/2010
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/263
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.24
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2642021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Scrutinizing perpetual insecurities. (c2010)
Farah M., Hage Ali
National security -- Lebanon
Lebanon -- Relations -- Syria
Syria -- Relations -- Lebanon
Lebanon -- Politics and government -- 1990-
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 93-96).
Third World states face a host of overlapping external and domestic threats.
This thesis examines the causes and consequences of Lebanon’s insecurity dilemma,
and looks at Lebanon’s relationship with Syria from a security complex perspective. Using an eclectic theoretical approach, the thesis investigates the structural,
institutional, psychological and social causes of Lebanon’s insecurity dilemma, and the latter’s impact on state institutions, state-society relations, and Lebanon’s relations with Syria. This thesis demonstrates how Lebanon’s insecurity dilemma creates a self-perpetuating confessional system that exposes the country to external
interventions. Accordingly, this thesis also considers whether it is possible to escape the trap of the insecurity dilemma in the future.
2011-03-08
2011-03-08
2010
2011-03-08
12/15/2010
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/264
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.25
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2662021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Water scarcity as a window of opportunity for a peacful settlement in the Middle East. (c2011)
Hammoud, Rayan Amine
Water-supply -- Political aspects -- Middle East
Water-supply -- Political aspects -- Israel
Water-supply -- Political aspects -- Lebanon
Water rights -- Middle East
Jewish-Arab relations
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 72-76).
Water shortage and the deterioration of water quality in the Middle Eastern region are
alarming. The question of water shortage is becoming a salient issue and a prominent
potential source of conflict. This thesis examines the various researches from various
fields of study that have simulated forthcoming Middle Eastern water war, amid dramatic
increase in water demands beyond national capacities. It examines the existing state of
war between Lebanon and Israel and illustrates that unless a water cooperation
arrangement is soon reached alternatives may yield grave consequences. This necessitates
technical as well as ideological reorientations in national ideological discourses that shift
attitudes and policies from a national to a regional development-based paradigm. The
thesis demonstrates various models and possibilities for cooperation over water
managements between Israel and Lebanon that can divert possible conflict and renewed
war. An action plan with a water management road map is proposed to be implemented
as to place the use of water resources efficiently and productively. The model can serve
for multilateral cooperation to resolve the problem of water shortage in the Middle East.
2011-03-08
2011-03-08
2011
2011-03-08
1/31/2011
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/266
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2011.1
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2672021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Children in the early years classrooms code-switching. (c2011)
Chahine, Daniele
Education, Bilingual -- Lebanon
Education, Primary -- Lebanon
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-86).
This paper focuses on the different reasons students code-switch, how they code-switch, why,
where and when they code-switch. It attempts to show how much students have been codeswitching
nowadays. This paper also attempts to describe the reasons young children codeswitch
in the classroom with one another. The two instruments used in order to explore the issue
of code-switching in the Early Years classrooms were participant observation, where observation
of students were made in different classes and documentation of their dialogue was recorded, and
teacher interviews, where interviews were conducted with five teachers in the Early Years
department. The results showed that children tended to code-switch in order to negotiate the
language for their interaction and to adapt to other students’ favoured language and their
capability in addition to manage conversational talk. The results also showed that codeswitching
is employed as a supplementary resource to attain certain conversational objectives in
interactions with other bilingual speakers. Research should be conducted on the on the
presentation of the literature on mixing in bilingual children during the earliest of language
acquisition. More research should also be done on students’ code-switching and the reasons they
code-switch should be made.
2011-03-10
2011-03-10
2011
2011-03-10
1/27/2011
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/267
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2011.2
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2682021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Supervision in the classroom. (c2005)
Ghobril, Nicole S.
School supervision -- Lebanon
School management and organization -- Lebanon
Teacher-principal relationships -- Lebanon
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 66-70).
2011-03-10
2011-03-10
2005
2011-03-10
6/1/2005
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/268
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2005.6
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2692021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Typing and characterization of Staphylococcus Aureus isolated from Jordan. (c2010)
Khalil, Wissam M.
Staphylococcus aureus -- Jordan
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 43-57).
Staphylococcus aureus remains an important pathogen worldwide. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRS A) colonization have increased and
caused serious invasive and life-threatening infections in young children. Nose and intestine are considered as important sites of colonization with S.
aureus. Molecular epidemiological studies are essential to understand the
genetic evolution, the pathogenesis and the dissemination of S. aureus in the
region. The study aimed at the epidemiological typing of S. aureus in Jordan. 103 S. aureus, 41 MRSA and 62 Methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA),
isolated from Jordanian children were characterized using different typing methods including spa typing, staphylococcal chromosomal cassette
SCCmec typing, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and Pulsed -Field Gel
Electrophoresis (PFGE). The detection of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin
(PVL) and the distribution of SCCmec type I-VII were performed by
multiplex PCR assays. Isolates were 15% PVL positive, and were distributed over 63 nose and 40 stoo l specimens. PVL were detected in 30% of MRSA and 1.6% of MSSA. 48 different spa types were identified and c lu stered into different groups with the most common spa types being t044, t065, t223 and t386. SCCmec typing showed the prevalence oftypes IV (a, b, c, d, g, and h) (53%), IVe (22%) and I (15%). 13 alle lic profiles or STs were identified by
MLST and the major type was ST80 (17%) followed by ST30 (13%), ST22
(13%) and ST15 (13%). STSO-MRSA-IV which is disseminated in Europe, Asia and the Middle East was the major clone in this study. 75% of MRSA
harbor SCCmec IV which indicates that those infections in Jordanian children were most probably due to community-acquired MRSA (CAMRSA).
This study which showed great diversity between MRSA and MSSA is the first report characterizing S. aureus in Jordan using four molecular typing techniques. Systematic surveillance is required for isolates associated with both hospital- and community-acquired infections to limit
and contro l the spread of S. aureus. Future studies with larger number of samples from different countries are essential in order to better assess the
characterization of MRSA and MSSA in the region.
2011-03-11
2011-03-11
2010
2011-03-11
9/14/2010
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/269
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.26
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2702021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Empowering teachers as leaders. (c2005)
Soubra, Abir
Teacher participation in administration
Teachers -- Job satisfaction
School management and organization
Educational leadership
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 23-25).
Teachers' empowerment is the basis for most educational reform. This case study
was designed to examine whether or not teachers are empowered in a selected private
school and whether empowerment affects teachers' satisfaction. Participants were 25
teachers and the principal of the school. The instruments used were a questionnaire
that included 19 questions, distributed to teachers and a semi-structured interview
conducted with the principal. Results revealed that teachers are partially empowered
in the school. They are involved in a limited extent in school's decisions school.
They are also satisfied with their job. However, the major problem that hinders their
full empowerment is financial and teachers are asking for increase in their wages.
2011-03-14
2011-03-14
2005
2011-03-14
2005-06
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/270
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2005.7
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2712021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Paperless clinics. (c2007)
Awada, Ali F.
Medical records -- Data processing
Information storage and retrieval systems -- Medical care
Health services administration -- Data processing
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 39).
Throughout history medical fi elds are an important area for research and
application and because of its criticality paperwork accounts for a significant time. Our
role as IT developers is to offer the best technologies to help improving the overall work
for both the doctors and all other employees. With the growth of communication ways
such as the Internet and the intranets doctors can consult other doctors and share the latest
information in just minutes. Patients also can access their medical records securely, take
appointments and view doctors' notes, etc. Nodaway, Polyclinics are considered a hot
topic. This paper explores the importance of introducing paperless office for doctors and
nurses and its ability to improve their work and accuracy, reduce the space of fi les in the
office, allows a better and safer communication. Moreover, it includes steps from the first
visit of the patient and throughout his life, beginning with the registration, taking
appointments and following up the patient. Furthermore, this paper introduces a small
mobile application that helps the doctor viewing his appointment and accessing his
patient's databases wherever he is.
2011-03-14
2011-03-14
2007
2011-03-14
3/13/2007
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/271
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2007.2
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2722021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
University students' conceptions and language learning. (c2007)
Hamade, Susan
English language -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Foreign speakers
Motivation in education
Second language acquisition
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-81).
This paper presents a study that investigates university students' beliefs and perceptions
about language learning. Specifically, it looks at student conceptions, motivation, and
views on language leaming and its instructional means. The construct of beliefs
encompasses aspects such as emotion, mood, perceptions and the like. Results of the
study and data analyses are based on three means of research that include questionnaires
where a total of 152 were given out to seven sections of an English I class at the
Lebanese American University in Beirut, nonparticipant class observation, and
interviews with instructors to learn about students' beliefs and views. The findings
suggest that student motivation positively correlates with perceptions regarding language
learning and that variation in teaching methods as well as the student teacher talk ratio
playa significant role in ge3ling student conceptions. Results allow pertinent promotion
of the English program along with language awareness strategies to be effective tools in
changing students' perceptions from indecisiveness to the more positive and motivated
side of the pendulum.
2011-03-14
2011-03-14
2007
2011-03-14
5/24/2007
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/272
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2007.3
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2732021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
An empirical study on a regression testing technique for OO software. (c2006)
Nehme, Ali Toufic
Object-oriented programming (Computer science)
Computer software -- Testing
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 89-90).
Regression testing is an essential activity aiming to prove that the unmodified sections of
a software application are unaffected by changes. This paper presents an empirical study
on a regression test selection technique for object-oriented sojiware. The technique is
based on the Unified Modeling Language (UML) program design; il10re 5pecifically it
makes use of the class diagrams, interaction overview diagram and the sequence
diagrams. Nine versions of three case sludies test cases are used: the UML design is
specified, test cases are drawn and then they are studied in terms of the number of
selected test cases, inclusiveness and precision. We prove the feasibility of the technique
and demonstrate the ability of the regression testing technique to select a small number
of test cases for retest from the original set of test cases; We also provide evidence
revealing high inclusiveness and precision rates; an amendment was also introduced to
cope wilh a problem in detecting changes inside the fragments of the sequence diagrams.
2011-03-14
2011-03-14
2006
2011-03-14
6/27/2006
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/273
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2006.4
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2742021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
My classroom writing kit. (c2011)
Jabbour, Viviane Chedid
Writing -- Study and teaching (Elementary)
Language arts (Elementary) -- Lebanon
English language -- Composition and exercises -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Lebanon
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 63-66).
Teaching writing has always been a complex endeavor for English teachers. Attempts at teaching writing by available text books have only made it more
mechanical, traditional and uninteresting to both teacher and student. The present kit offers a non conventional approach to teaching writing which aims at allowing writing
students to develop a love for writing before having to deal with requirements of
academic writing. It is intended to be used in Lebanese schools with grade eight students who are not required to sit for a government exam for yet another year. The
kit offers practical and useful ideas to teachers who want to train their students to be
independent and active writers rather than suppressed ones. It is a relatively
inexpensive and concurrently an invaluable writing resource that can change teachers‟
as well as students‟ outlook towards writing. The desired impact of this approach to
writing is a generation who is “writing friendly”.
2011-03-14
2011-03-14
2011
2011-03-14
1/18/2011
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/274
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2011.3
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2762021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Evaluation of the national Lebanese grade one social studies curriculum. (c2007)
Ezzeddine, Malak
Social sciences -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Lebanon -- Evaluation
Curriculum evaluation -- Lebanon
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 40-44).
Human beings seek to create their social identities to help them belong to a particular group or culture within a diverse society. If the family is the main source of knowledge for children about society, the school should be the second main source. Lebanese educators should be aware that children learn facts about their
country, understand the diversified Lebanese population and develop a positive attitude towards their culture through well designed social studies concepts and themes. These goals are reached through several means; one of which is social
studies education. Upon examining the national social studies curriculum taught in our Lebanese schools, I find that it does not meet the philosophy and objectives of
developing students' social and cultural awareness. My main aim is to determine
the importance of social studies education and the capacities it establishes in our
children and to highlight the current status of civic education, how it is taught
through the national social studies textbooks and what is needed to improve. It is
my hope that studying this issue from several perspectives would set concrete
guidelines for what to teach in social studies, how to teach it and why. Furthermore,
the literature reviewed identifies several ways in which the link between rai sing a
good citizen and social studies curriculum occurs. Practical suggestions for
educators can be built on these research findings. Further research can be carried by
those who aim to plan social studies curriculum and textbooks that include relevant
and well-balanced information. The designed kit includes a list of themes that should be included in a well-rounded social studies curriculum highlighting a unit
about national and religious celebrations and holidays in Lebanon, comprising a number of lessons. It provides worksheets, poems, songs and handouts to enrich the
curriculum with relevant social studies activities to facilitate the teaching process of
this designated unit.
2011-03-14
2011-03-14
2007
2011-03-14
2007-06
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/276
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2007.5
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2772021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Teachers, attitudes towards professional development activities and their impact on their practices and motivation. (c2011)
Hamdan, Zeina Ali
Teachers -- Training of -- Lebanon
Teachers -- Lebanon -- Attitudes
School improvement programs -- Lebanon
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 106-121).
The backbone of any successful and effective educational organization is a high-quality
teaching staff. It follows that a well-designed professional development (PD) program is needed for preparing competent teachers. This case study, which took place in School “X”, used quantitative and qualitative research method and data analysis to find answers
to the following research questions: “What are the attitudes of the secondary and middle
school teachers at “School X” regarding the effect of the school’s professional
development programs on the quality of their teaching practices and motivation? How do teachers’ attitudes compare (Science/Non-science; Middle/ Secondary; Female/ Male) regarding professional development? What are teachers’ recommendations to improve the quality of the professional development program provided by their school?” Questionnaires, focus group interviews and observations were conducted to collect and
triangulate data results. Participants included all middle and secondary teachers of the
Beirut Campus of school X (160 teachers), while each interview session was conducted with five (in the case of middle school teachers) or six teachers (in the case of secondary
school teachers), representing different departments. Finally, the observation sessions
targeted the in-service day (academic and recreational parts), SPEC (Student centered
problem based experiential and collaborative learning), Study groups, and Outreach. It
was found that teachers regard professional development program in their school as
beneficial in general but could be enhanced further. Although the attitude of novice teachers towards professional development is more favorable than that of veteran teachers, findings show that the overall teachers’ attitude towards professional
development is a negative one. Modifications and suggestions to improve the quality of the professional development activities at school X were proposed by the teachers. In
conclusion, School X offers a prosperous professional development program, but its
fruitfulness will remain limited unless a more systematic organizational structure is created.
2011-03-15
2011-03-15
2011
2011-03-15
1/27/2011
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/277
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2011.4
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2782021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Instructional supervision. (c2011)
Sabra, Houda Ibrahim
School supervision -- Lebanon
Teachers -- Professional relationships -- Lebanon
Teachers -- Training of -- Lebanon
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-133).
The field of instructional supervision faces an urgent need to help teachers thrive in the classroom. Both instructional supervision and professional development have
been identified as vehicles to enhance the performance ofteachers. Based on a systematic process of instructional supervision at a private school in the south of
Lebanon, this study describes how this process is conducted, elicits teachers and
subject supervisors' perceptions of this process, and investigates how it contributes
to the teachers' professional development. A case study methodology serves the study purpose and mixed research methods, qualitative and quantitative, are used to collect data that address the research questions. A questionnaire was developed and
administered to elicit perceptions of all 80 teachers and 20 subject supervisors about
their school's process of instructional supervision, semi structured interviews were
conducted with a random sample of teachers and supervisors, school documents were
analyzed, and observations were conducted during all the phases of the process. This
helped achieve triangulation and increase the reliability of results. Questionnaire data
were analyzed through the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), and
interviews, documents and field observations data were analyzed qualitatively.
Results indicate that although the process is well established and systematic, several
misgivings were recorded and some recommendations were stated by participants.
2011-03-15
2011-03-15
2011
2011-03-15
2/4/2011
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/278
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2011.5
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2842023-05-09T07:53:39Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Description and evaluation of information literacy library program implemented at an elementary school in Beirut. (c2007)
Sakr, Rola
Information literacy -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Lebanon
Library orientation for school children -- Lebanon -- Evaluation
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 46-50).
The purpose of this study was to present the Infomation Literacy Library Program being implemented at a school in Beirut, to evaluate its effectiveness in
helping students leam to use infomation literacy skills and to formulate recommendations for improving school library programs. This was done through examining the components of the role of the school library and the librarians, in
addition to examining teachers' and students' perception of this role. The sample
consisted of all the female and male classroom and specialist teachers of grade 2 and
grade 4 elementary levels, 18 parents, and 18 students from both grade levels as well
as the librarian and the assistant librarian. The instruments used were 1) closed-itemed teachers' questionnaires, 2) semi-structured interviews with the librarian and
assistant librarian, 3) phone interviews with parents and 4) observations of student librarian
and teacher-librarian interactions during library class sessions.
The results of the study showed the importance of the school library in
developing children's literacy skills. The friendly, respectful relationship between the
librarian and teachers, the director's support and collaboration with teachers help the librarian promote literacy skills in her school. The results also showed that the
school library media program motivates students to read through various library
activities. The librarian's method of providing instruction as well as her positive
attitudes towards the students enhance the lessons and help students leam the necessary infonnation literacy skills easily.
On the other hand, the results from the observation sessions showed little interaction between the teachers and the librarian. The parents' interviews revealed that most of the parents are not aware of the library media program at their children's school.
2011-03-17
2011-03-17
2007
2011-03-17
7/23/2007
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/284
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2007.6
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2852021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Teacher inspection in two Lebanese public schools. (c2007)
Timsah, Layal Omar
School supervision -- Lebanon
Public schools -- Lebanon -- Administration
High school principals -- Lebanon
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-83).
The purpose of this study was to investigate the process of teacher inspection in two
public schools in Beirut. Four semi-structured interviews were conducted with two
science inspectors and two public-school principals. Open-ended questionnaires were
distributed to 33 public-school secondary teachers. Participants were required to answer
the same questions regarding several aspects of the inspection process: notification,
school selection, general and subject-specific inspection, duration and time, frequency,
feedback, and penalties. Results showed that inspection played a significant role in
guiding teachers and monitoring their performance. However, academic qualifications
and number of years of experience for selection to inspectorial positions were reduced
over time. The number of subject-specific inspectors was found to be very low and there
was a need for increasing the number of inspectorial visits. Teacher evaluation was not
based on specific evaluation rubrics and was prone to be subjective. Feedback to teachers
addressed their strengths and weaknesses and elicited the corresponding
recommendations or penalties in case of violations. However, suggestions by the
Education Inspectorate were not mandatory to the MinistJy of Education. The inspection
process in Lebanon was not associated with promotion or salary increments and therefore
it was not an incentive to high performing teachers and did not produce action plans for
improvement.
2011-03-17
2011-03-17
2007
2011-03-17
7/26/2007
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/285
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2007.7
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2862021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
The effect of demonstrations and activities on the students' attitude towards chemistry and their achievement in middle school. (c2007)
Chamseddine, Mazena
Chemistry -- Study and teaching (Middle school)
Middle school students -- Attitudes
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 28-32).
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the use of the combination of
lecture, teacher demonstrations, class discussion and student practical/experimental work improves the experimental students' attitudes towards studying chemistry, their
understanding of chemistry concepts and as a result their achievement in chemistry
more than the control group students who were only exposed to lecture and not to the teacher demonstrations and the practical work. The students' attitudes were surveyed using a questionnaire. The questionnaire was answered by 38 randomly selected grade eight students before and after the research period. Six students of those with largest
attitude changes, both positive and negative, were interviewed to highlight the contrast between students. The students' results were collected from tests made at the closure of each concept during the research period. Another questionnaire was given to chemistry
teachers in three randomly selected official and private schools to check the teaching
methods they are using, their own views about the attitude and the achievement of their
students. Students in the experimental group showed a positive attitude change that was associated with evidence of motivated behavior towards chemistry, while students
in the control group showed a negative attitude and less motivation towards studying
chemistry. In addition, the students' achievements in the experimental group were higher than those of the control group.
2011-03-17
2011-03-17
2007
2011-03-17
6/21/2007
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/286
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2007.8
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2872021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
The effect of parental involvement on students' academic achievement. (c2006)
Nehfawi, Rima Khaled
Education -- Parent participation
Academic achievement
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 91-95).
Parents are important individuals in children's lives, for they provide them with
appropriate guidance that leads them to success. This research project was conducted
to determine the effects of parental involvement on children's academic achievement
in relation to parents' socioeconomic status and educational background in a private
and a public school in Greater Beirut. The participants were 957 students of cycle two
at both schools, 722 parents, 50 teachers, and the two principals of the schools.
Questionnaires and two interview schedules were the two major data collection
instruments. The results obtained from the questionnaires and the interviews showed
the importance of parental involvement and to what extent it is present in both
schools in relation to parents' socioeconomic status and educational background.
Moreover, the results taken on parental involvement are compared with students'
achievement which showed a positive correlation. Therefore, future researchers shall
focus on the effects of parental involvement on children's social and cognitive
development.
2011-03-17
2011-03-17
2006
2011-03-17
2006-03
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/287
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2006.5
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2882021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
The evolution of mathematical proof for students from grade eight to grade eleven. (c2005)
Tohme, Nadine Mahmoud
Proof theory
Logic, Symbolic and mathematical
Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Middle school) -- Lebanon
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-83).
This research study is an attempt to explore the evolution of the meaning and of the
format of mathematical proof after one year of its introduction and after several years, for the
purpose of addressing students' difficulties and finding proper strategies to introduce the
students to the world of proof. Twelve 8 graders and twelve 11 graders, of a reputable school
in Beirut, participated in this study. All the participants had the same mathematics teacher
when they were in grade 7. Clinical interviews were performed with pairs of students.
However, two 11 graders were interviewed individually, so that the influence ofthe social
interaction could be assessed. In order to choose these students, a pretest was administered to
8 graders and to 11 graders. A comparison between their written solutions and their deductive thinking was conducted. A hierarchy was developed and the written so lutions of the pretest
were analyzed and placed in the different categories. Accordingly, the sample was chosen
representing all the categories of the hierarchy developed. For the purpose of comprehending
the participants' understanding of the meaning of proof, as effected by the way they were
introduced to proof, their grade 7 teacher was interviewed and her class sessions were
observed. As a result, it was found that grade 8 students stress the format of the written solution much more than eleven graders. In addition, students from the 11th grade wrote proofs including more deductive thinking and more rigor. All 8th graders, except one, could not notice the incompleteness of their solutions, while all 8 graders wrote complete proofs. However, participants from both grade levels gave proof the same meanings of explanation,
justification, communication, and conviction.
2011-03-18
2011-03-18
2005
2011-03-18
6/22/2005
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/288
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2005.8
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2892021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Evaluating a foreign social studies book used in a Lebanese school. (c2005)
Khalil, Mirna
Social sciences -- Study and teaching (Primary) -- Lebanon -- Evaluation
Citizenship -- Study and teaching (Primary) -- Lebanon
Curriculum planning -- Lebanon
Includes bibliographical references.
This project aims at designing a manual that limits the discrepancies between the American books and the Lebanese culture. An evaluation of the American social studies textbook is conducted. It reveals the gap between the book and the Lebanese students. Based on this evaluation, negat ive and positive points are pointed out. As for the positive
points, the content and activities, ski ll s, different strategies, logical sequence and
development, speci fic objectives, and a number of evaluation activities are high ly recommendable. On the other hand, one negative point is that the textbook is designed to
meet the needs of American grade one students and not Lebanese students. The history and geography that revolves around the Un ited States is not relevant to the Lebanese culture. Target vocabulary words are beyond the Lebanese students' level. Thus, based on these observations, a modified Lebanese unit is designed as a suppl ement to the
American textbook. A review of literature is conducted to support the unit on citizenship
education and the strategies for teaching it in primary grades. Citi zenship plays an important role in the social studies curriculum where children learn facts about their country and develop a positive attitude towards it. The methodologies reveal that
citizenship education should be taught through a variety of activities rather than depending on the textbook alone. This designed manual includes a unit about Lebanon,
compri sing two chapters. Many skills and activities are highli ghted, meeting the
standards and levels of grade one Lebanese students. Several worksheets, handouts, and
lesson plans are avai lable to guide the process of teaching the designed unit.
2011-03-18
2011-03-18
2005
2011-03-18
2005-06
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/289
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2005.9
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2902021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Evaluating the department of English in a French medium school. (c2006)
Imad, Ghada Jamil
English language -- Study and teaching -- French speakers -- Evaluation
Language and languages -- Study and teaching -- Lebanon
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 53-57).
Research on department improvement in schools has been scarce. Hence, the purpose of this study was to survey an English department in a French medium school and find ways
to improve it. This research includes a case study of the department culture specifically the values and the goals of the school, in addition to collegiality among teachers and the teaching and learning processes.
Thus, a questionnaire was administered to five English teachers and twenty students. They were also observed in their classrooms and the teacher's lounge. Documents from the school were also used. Data analysis identified collegiality among teachers and
cohesiveness between teachers' beliefs and the school's values and beliefs. However,
structured lesson plans were absent in the classrooms. Besides, there was insufficient
emphasis on students' high level thinking. Furthermore, enthusiasm was deficient in
teachers, which was reflected on students who became disinterested in their turn. Teachers' professional development was also missing in the department which affected the teachers' subject knowledge and methodology skills.
2011-03-18
2011-03-18
2006
2011-03-18
2006-05
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/290
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2006.6
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2922021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
The effect of the implementation of the readers' workshop on reading achievement in a first grade mixed-ability classroom. (c2009)
Mounla, Ghina
Guided reading
Reading comprehension
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 54-57).
The importance of differentiating reading instruction to meet the needs of students who have
various abilities and interests has been given a lot of attention lately. Researchers have been
trying to use the readers' workshop as an instructional approach that would differentiate reading
instruction to meet the needs of all students. Therefore, this research study aims to analyze the
effects of the implementation ofthe readers' workshop on students' reading levels and
comprehension skills in a first grade mixed-ability classroom. The instruments used in this study
are running records and reading continuums that are used at the beginning and at the end of the
academic year, teacher's professional notebook and notes from the guided reading sessions and
teacher-student conferences. The results of the study showed that the readers' workshop that was
used as a differentiated reading approach improved students' reading levels and comprehension
skills. Further longitudinal studies that would determine the long-term results of the
implementation ofthe readers' workshop on students' reading achievement should be conducted
in Lebanese schools.
2011-03-18
2011-03-18
2009
2011-03-18
6/20/2009
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/292
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2009.8
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2932021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Pedagogical guide for using technology in formative assessment. (c2008)
Kandil, Bassem
Educational evaluation
Computer-assisted instruction
Educational tests and measurements
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 45-46).
Contemporary educational theories are calling for assessment practices to be
an integral part of learn ing. They are as well call ing for a shift in our
perceptions abo ut assessment, attributing eq ual place to "assessment for
learning" and "assessment of learning" (Earl, 2003). That is, assessment should
not only measure learn ing but promote learning as well.
A Computer-A ssisted Assessment (CAA) package is used as a platform to
demonstrate that a data- driven decision- mak ing utility regarding formative,
summative and diagnostic evaluation is an essential ingredient for enhancing
instruction, promoting learnin g and mot ivating students.
In addition, the project aims at the development ofa teacher's pedagogical
guide for using the above technology tool in formative assessment settings.
As part of its development phases, inte rviews with se lected teachers were
conducted in an attempt to identify the ir perceptions about formative
assessment and their current practices, difficulties and needs.
2011-03-18
2011-03-18
2008
2011-03-18
2008-09
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/293
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2008.2
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2942021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Motivating children to read through storytelling. (c2010)
Sinno, Rima
Reading (Middle school) -- Lebanon
Storytelling -- Study and teaching -- Lebanon
Motivation in education -- Lebanon
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 59-64).
Some students consider reading challenging. As they grow up, it becomes frustrating for them which does not give them the impulse to grab a book and read. They are demotivated. English language teachers seek methods and strategies to support their students with the best learning
environment. This study investigates whether storytelling is a practical and powerful teaching
tool in grade six in a private school in Beirut, Lebanon. Also, it aims to see if it can motivate children not only to read more but also to read stories of different genres. This research study
points out some effective ways or techniques of storytelling that can be used with sixth graders in
a private school in Lebanon. The target population consists of one class of eleven to twelve year old children in a grade six in a private school in Beirut where English is taught as a second
language. The instruments used for data collection consist of one semi-structured interview with
an ESL teacher, a questionnaire distributed to the sixth grade class, and non-participant
observation conducted by the researcher. Results show that students lack interest in reading stories. Their teacher tries to use storytelling skills in the language classroom because the
observation showed that the students were motivated in the classroom discussions, and they shared their ideas and stories.
2011-03-22
2011-03-22
2010
2011-03-22
5/14/2010
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/294
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.27
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2952021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Bridging the gap between KG2 and grade one activity kit. (c2010)
Hammoud, Maya
Activity programs in education
Activity programs in education -- Lebanon
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 70-75).
Learning activities are recommended in all grade levels to facilitate the learning and teaching process. Children in the preschool and elementary stages learn most through activities where all
their senses are engaged. These activities are major components of each school day in the preschool stage. However, they decrease gradually when students pass from KG2 to grade one,
where these activities are substituted by drill and practice worksheets. The following work
presents a kit that consists of a variety of learning activities for grade one that will bridge the gap
that exists between KG2 and grade one. This kit will offer a series of different learning activities of grade one school subjects and is designed on the basis of the Lebanese academic year which consists of three trimesters. The kit will be divided into three parts each one will be reflecting a
trimester and consists of a series of interrelated activities for grade one subject matters: English
language Arts, Mathematics, Music, and Art. When grade one teachers resort to this kit, first
graders will feel more comfortable in their class, especially that they will be doing activities they
used to enjoy a lot during the preschool period, and at the sarne time they will be learning away
from the drill and practice worksheets and practice books.
2011-03-22
2011-03-22
2010
2011-03-22
2/10/2010
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/295
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2010.28
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2962021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
MobiMedic. (c2009)
Abou-Jerji, Hassan
Emergency vehicles -- Routes -- Mathematical models
Vehicle routing problem -- Mathematical models
Ambulance service -- Mathematical models
Mobile communicating systems
Medical care -- Computer networks
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 68-70).
In the busy streets of Beirut, traffic is inevitable. Emergency services struggle through this traffic to respond to calls of various types, some being more urgent that others. Providing safety and medical response to the public in a prompt marmer becomes
a priority for emergency service providers. Hence, avoiding busy and lengthy roads when
possible help them achieve this objective. As traffic is an unpredictable issue, avoiding
unnecessary detours could be just the solution they need.
In this project, we develop MobiMedic; a tool based on the map of the city of
Beirut that allows emergency dispatch personnel to provide emergency vehicles responding to a call with a shortest journey to take to get to incident site, the condition and the number of cases reported. This will allow the crew of the emergency vehicle responding to the call to be prepared for the case anticipated and get there as fast as possible avoiding lengthy routes. Moreover, our tool will allow for quality assurance audits and reviews as the calls being reported are logged as they occur. We are hoping that the implementation of MobiMedic at this stage will open
doors to enhancements. The functionalities introduced are the comer steps on the way to a state-of-art emergency response solution. We also hope that one day we will be able to make use of this application in real life to serve the lebanese Red Cross in their noble mission.
2011-03-22
2011-03-22
2009
2011-03-22
5/15/2009
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/296
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2009.9
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2972021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
The managerial aspect of the special education department at the Sunshine School. (c2008)
Irani, Nadine Bsat
Sunshine School -- Management
Special education -- Lebanon -- Management
School principals -- Lebanon
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 46-50).
This study was designed to gather infonnation about the practices of the principal at
Sunshine School. Sunshine School offers a special education program for students with
learning disabilities in addition to its regular program. Two techniques were used to gather information and guarantee the validity and reliability of the results. In order to
collect information, the researcher conducted semi-structured interviews and distributed
different questionnaires to teachers and parents of students with learning disabilities at
Sunshine School. Interviews were conducted with two principals and 4 teachers at
Sunshine School. The analysis of the results exhibited many similarities and few differences with findings of previous research. This study revealed that principal support was important to teachers' satisfaction and commitment to their jobs. Providing the latent with favorable work conditions and adequate resources also affected teaching and
learning atmosphere. Leader's beliefs and views toward inclusion were major keys in the
acceptance of enrolling special needs students at Sunshine School.
2011-03-22
2011-03-22
2008
2011-03-22
6/13/2008
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/297
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2008.3
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2982021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Feedback strategies implemented in ESL classrooms. (c2008)
Chehayeb, Souheila Hassib
English language -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers -- Evaluation
Feedback (Psychology)
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 41-46).
The importance of the writing skill in the varIOus life fields and the difficulty of its
acquisition call the English as Second language teachers (ESL) teachers to be aware of the
feedback strategies they adopt in their response to their students' writing. The feedback
strategies implemented in classrooms may help in facilitating the students' acquisition of the
writing skill.
This project embodies a comprehensive study about the feedback strategies that are usually implemented in ESL classrooms. It sheds light on the various feedback strategies that may help in enhancing the students' writing skill. Besides, the study also emphasizes the
importance of the affective factor in the teaching process. The students' motivation and
interest may help them to be more on task; consequently, their motivation may enhance their
writing perfonnance.
This study is conducted to equip novice as well as experienced ESL teachers of cycles two and three with various helpful feedback strategies. It consists of a comprehensive literature
review that includes detailed explanation of many feedback strategies that may help teachers improve their teaching practices in order to enhance the students' writing skill. Moreover, it
provides teachers with detailed notes about which feedback strategies to implement in the
various stages of the writing process.
2011-03-22
2011-03-22
2008
2011-03-22
2008-06
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/298
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2008.4
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/2992021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Between art illusion and art education in schools. (c2009)
Moussaoui, Nadine Ali
Arts -- Study and teaching -- Lebanon
Art in education -- Lebanon
Includes bibliographical references (l. 68-70).
Few studies were conducted concerning the teaching of art in Lebanese private schools. The teaching of art as a school subject is neglected in some Lebanese schools. There is an
underestimation of art in these educational settings and an unawareness of its effect on the students' progress in their academic context and their life. Furthermore, other gaps are found in this discipline especially in the program, teaching skills, and art classrooms.
This study sheds light on these problems through observing art classes, interviewing the
teachers, and questioning the students in three private Lebanese schools located in Beirut. Although the researcher faced some problems like the refusal of the observation sessions'
occurrence in one school and the low number of observed sessions in the two other schools, she was still able to collect data that came up with useful results. Teachers lack teaching strategies and don't rely on a organized and well-based program, but this doesn't
mean that modifications cannot be made if the school is willing to value more the art and
place it on the level of other well estimated disciplines.
2011-03-22
2011-03-22
2009
2011-03-22
12/2/2009
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/299
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2009.10
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/3002021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Lebanese students' choice of foreign languages and its influence on their life. (c2008)
Chami, Dina Mahmoud
Language and languages -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Lebanon
Language and languages -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers
English language -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- French speakers
Language and languages -- Study and teaching -- Lebanon -- History
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 77-83).
This study was designed to examine the history of foreign languages in Lebanon and its
influence on students' academic, professional, and social life, and to investigate the
causes of the shift from French medium schools to American universities. Two methods were used to collect data in order to assure reliability and validity ofthe findings. The
researcher, in order to collect information, employed semi-structured interviews to
interview French educated students who shifted into American universities and to
interview parents, and distributed questionnaires to American university students in
Lebanon. The analysis of the findings revealed many similarities and some differences
between beliefs about foreign languages in Lebanon. The researcher concluded that
English is substituting French in Lebanon and students believe that the French language is tough whereas the English language is easy. All students agreed that being graduates of
American universities will help them to improve their professional life. These beliefs
pushed French educated students to shift into American universities. The results also
pointed out that there are academic and social differences between French and English
educated students.
2011-03-22
2011-03-22
2008
2011-03-22
2008-06
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/300
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2008.5
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/3012023-05-09T07:49:04Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
The task based approach to improve students' speaking skills. (c2009)
Daoud, Hiba
English language -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Foreign speakers
Second language acquisition -- Lebanon
English language -- Acquisition
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 59-69).
Most students find speaking a second language such as English difficult and challenging. Their problem is that they cannot speak English fluently and correctly. This problem can be strongly related to the facts that teachers are not encouraging students to speak freely and not engaging them in natural and real life situation tasks. In fact a large number of teachers is not aware of the
importance of giving students the chance to express themselves and help them emich their
vocabulary repertoire. The purpose of this study was to implement a task based approach in
grade six class to help students become fluent speakers of English and overcome their shyness and hesitation when speaking a second language. When applied consistently, the strategy showed
considerable improvement in speaking English as a second language in a grade six class. Students displayed desirable feedback and interest in the language, and they were motivated to
express themselves and use new vocabulary words in their speaking tasks. Recommendations included using task based approach in all grades at the elementary level, and even applying such approach at the intermediate and secondary levels for the benefits it conveys.
2011-03-22
2011-03-22
2009
2011-03-22
2009-06
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/301
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2009.11
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/3022023-05-09T07:47:02Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Self-regulated learning in second language classrooms. (c2009)
Daouk, Salwa
Second language acquisition
Self-efficacy -- Lebanon
English language -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Lebanon
Includes bibliographical references.
Various studies have documented a relationship between college students' self-regulatory
capabilities and achievement; however, many indicate that not all college students can
actively guide and manage their learning. From this perspective, Self-Regulated Learning
(SRL) complements the notion of the No Child Left Behind Act to stop the great risk of
college students from dropping out. SRL researchers have paid little attention in creating high-SRL environments to foster SRL skills in the second language classrooms. This study sheds lights on how modeling is an effective way of building self-regulatory academic skills.
Moreover, reading and writing research is discussed in which modeling was employed to
enhance students' achievement, skills, self-efficacy, and self-regulation across multiple phases of Zimmerman's model and SRSD model according to social cognitive theory and
research findings. Interviews and observations of language arts lessons were analyzed to
determine the extent to which teachers' tasks and practices created opportunities to engage in self-regulated reading and writing. These findings are addressed to ESL teachers to
encourage them to use modeling as a method of instruction, to promote SRL environment, and to enhance students' achievement.
2011-03-22
2011-03-22
2009
2011-03-22
1/28/2009
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/302
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2009.12
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/3032021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Servers and storages. (c2008)
Badran, Mohammad
Storage area networks (Computer networks)
Database management
Web servers -- Computer programs
Includes bibliographical references (leaf 50).
Many companies and academic institutions are seeking a highly available and
scalable storage system along with a consolidated cutting-edge high performance and
easy to manage servers. These are the corner stones for any modern data center nowadays. This project will try to shed lights on such technologies and present a road
map to acquire and successfully achieve and deploy "consolidation and virtualization"
using blade servers and fiber channel storage area network solutions.
2011-03-22
2011-03-22
2008
2011-03-22
7/8/2008
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/303
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2008.6
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/3042021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Examining how stakeholders perceive the quality of the learning support unit for learning disabled students in an international school in Bahrain. (c2009)
Nadra, Mirna
Children with disabilities -- Education -- Bahrain -- Administration
Special education -- Bahrain -- Administration
Mainstreaming in education
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-71).
This study examines how stakeholders perceive the effectiveness of the Learning Support
Unit for learning disabled students throughout their general education within School X.
The effectiveness of the program was studied by examining the school's mission
statement, and to what extent the Learning Support Unit objective was aligned with it.
The study focuses on leadership and academic excellence, home school connections, and provision for a healthy secure learning environment. Teachers, administrators and
parents were interviewed, and given questionnaires that reflected how academic excellence and leadership were achieved, interviews were conducted to gain data on students' learning environment and with parents in relation to the home school
connection. After the investigation there were several recommendations made. First that
communication and professional development follow systems set up by all parties of the
LSU, secondly that ongoing updates and recommendations be given to parents, as well as
offering them the opportunity to attend workshops, to play an active role in their child's educational support. Finally, that stigma surrounding the attendance of the LSU program is minimized by allowing students to attend as many general classes as possible and to
adjust scheduling to accommodate pullout classes.
2011-03-22
2011-03-22
2009
2011-03-22
9/18/2009
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/304
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2009.13
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/3052021-03-19T09:58:57Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Smart container loading. (c2008)
Makarem, Omar Chehayeb
Containerization -- Mathematical models
Mathematical models
Prolog (Computer program language)
Packaging -- Mathematical models
Heuristic programming
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 32-33).
The need to move various items from one location to another has become a primary need of most companies. Items are usually boxed and arranged inside containers to be transported from one location to the other. Most companies pay shipments by the
number of containers being transported; therefore, it is in the interest of the company to minimize that number. Furthermore, some items might have properties, which force special constraints on how and where they are stored inside the container. In this
work, we propose an agent based solution for maximizing the use of a single
container; thus, reducing the transportation cost for the companies having their items
transported, as well as increasing transportation performance for transportation
companies. Separate agents are used for packing, tracking, loading and unloading items. Also, artificial intelligence is provided through the use of the PROLOG programming language to specify rules and constraints on items loaded as well as on the container itself.
2011-03-22
2011-03-22
2008
2011-03-22
5/5/2008
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/305
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2008.7
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/3062021-03-19T09:58:58Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Array-based locks for concurrency control model. (c2008)
Abbass, Jad Fawzi
Database management
Distributed databases
Parallel processing (Electronic computers)
Multiprocessors
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 46-47).
Multitasking in both uniprocessor (multithreading) and multiprocessor (multiprocessing)
systems have been attracted by many applications. Database systems are somewhat the
most important in this regard, especially in centralized and humongous ones. Sometimes thousands, and maybe hundred of thousands of operations are sent to the transaction
processing system per second. To handle this bottleneck some queries! updaters are executed concurrently. However, parallelism in such cases is extremely accurate based on
the well-know restriction; locks. In this project, I implemented a lock approach based on
a Boolean array (1 D and 2D) and on the "or" lo gical operation (0 specify which
transactions can be executed in parallel.
2011-03-22
2011-03-22
2008
2011-03-22
5/20/2008
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/306
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2008.8
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/3072023-05-09T07:43:38Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Diversity in language and identity in the unique Lebanon. (c2009)
Shehab, Amal Sabe'
Group identity -- Lebanon
Sociolinguistics -- Lebanon
Arabic language -- Social aspects -- Lebanon
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 64-69).
Lebanese people use language and identity variation to nourish the power of group
communities and to nurture the non-solidarity of the whole nation. Language variation
and identity variation of different group communities in the Lebanese society play a major role in fOiming a unique culture that is full of language use and ideology conflicts.
In this paper, interviews, observations, and questionnaires are used to collect the data needed to investigate the Lebanese language variation due to identity issues. Examining the Lebanese sociolinguistic led to a deep understanding of the unique Lebanon. Lebanon is a mansion of many houses in which each house has its own banner that is different than
the other. And though each house (group community) in Lebanon has his own history,
memory and language, Lebanon will always be a possible unique culture which deserves to exist on the world's sociolinguistic map.
2011-03-23
2011-03-23
2009
2011-03-23
10/8/2009
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/307
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2009.14
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/3082021-03-19T09:58:58Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
The effect of integration and fragmentation on students' achievement at the elementary level. (c2006)
Sheet, Mona Mahmoud
Education, Elementary -- Curricula -- Lebanon
Interdisciplinary approach in education -- Lebanon
Academic achievement -- Lebanon
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 57-63).
During the past decade, educators as well as researchers have been gi ving more focus and attention to the use of new techniques in teaching that are responsive for developing wellrounded
individuals and productive citizens. The aim of this paper is to show the effect of
integration on student's achievement, atti tude, working habit etc. Moreover, this paper focuses on learning processes, the fragmented curri culum and its benefits as well as
drawbacks. This study provides a detailed literature review for the usage of the integrated
curriculum with its different types, characteri stics, principal's role, traditional ways of
teaching and assessment. It tends to encourage the usage of integration at the elementary level. Three methods were used to compare the difference in teaching between
integration and fragmentation. Interviews were conducted with three professional
teachers from different schools, Questionnaires were di stributed to 20 teachers in two
schools, and fin ally a book written by Suzan Drake about integration and the
implementation of this technique was analyzed thoroughly. Thl'oughout the study, the
researcher found that though the integrated approach has positive effect on the performance level, at the same time it is a costly and a complex process. This study was designed to improve the learning of the students and their level of understanding. Such
teaching method makes learning fun and more active.
2011-03-23
2011-03-23
2006
2011-03-23
2006-06
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/308
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2006.7
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/3092021-03-19T09:58:58Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Medical PDA. (c2008)
Mahjoub, Mohammad
Medicine -- Data processing
Medical informatics
Pocket computers
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-86).
This idea of the software is to launch an initiative to encourage more
physicians to use electronic prescribing in terms of recording all medical
information about patients, their progress, and their examinations, and
take the first steps to full clinical automation. In addition , patients will carry
their medical history on their PDAs on the run. Elderly patients will get advantage of the reminder capabilities on their PDAs, which will set off an
alert according to the doctor's prescription, thus reminding the patient to take the appropriate pill at the appropriate time. The patient will be reminded of doctor's advice in terms of dos and don'ts while taking the medicament (e.g. , dosage, side effects, advisable food, and avoidable food). The patient will be able to retrieve his/her medical records via a synchronization process after being connected to the Internet.
2011-03-24
2011-03-24
2008
2011-03-24
6/27/2008
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/309
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2008.9
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/3102021-03-19T09:58:58Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
GLOBE program & students' empowerment. (c2007)
Bou Fakhreddine, Ola
Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment Program (GLOBE)
Environment education -- Lebanon -- Case studies
Environmental sciences -- Study and teaching -- Curricula -- Lebanon
Teachers -- Training of -- Lebanon -- Case studies
Curriculum planning -- Lebanon
Includes bibliographical references (l. 55-58).
The purpose of the project in hand was to explore the effect of the GLOBE Program on empowering students through constructivist learning and teaching. This case study was conducted in two schools in Lebanon to examine students' empowerment in relation to
the GLOBE Program. It addresses the issue of empowerment by integrating theory and practice. The project attempted mainly to model how the empowerment process takes place in the two Lebanese selected schools. Participants were two teachers from two different schools, the GLOBE coordinator in Lebanon, and six students. Data were
collected mainly from interviews, observation checklists, and document analysis. Results showed that both schools encourage the implementation of GLOBE Program and
consider the Program a constructivist tool to empower students on the academic and
social levels. Additionally, the results showed the impact of GLOBE on developing students' leadership skills that would enhance students' abilities to become autonomous
learners.
2011-03-24
2011-03-24
2007
2011-03-24
9/13/2007
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/310
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2007.9
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/3122023-05-09T07:36:01Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Benefits and drawbacks of block scheduling & integration. (c2007)
Jibai, Faten
Block scheduling (Education) -- Lebanon -- Case studies
Educational change -- Lebanon -- Case studies
Elementary school teaching -- Lebanon -- Case studies
Learning -- Case studies
Includes bibliographical references (l. 59-63).
In order to create a cooperative group of critical thinkers and independent learners, researchers have shifted from the use of traditional modes of education and scheduling system in the elementary schools to innovative modes of teaching and scheduling such as curriculum integration and block scheduling. Block scheduling is ideal for integrated learning. Its influence on the elementary classrooms has for long become an essential topic to be studied and observed. This case study was based on two fundamental research questions: 1) what are the benefits and drawbacks of block scheduling and integration? 2) How can block scheduling and integration affect teachers' instructional methods and students' motivation? Regarding block scheduling and integration, data were collected by semi strnctured interviews with the school principal and the vice principal of the case study, classroom observations, and questionnaires administered to the elementary school teachers, coordinators, one vice principal, and the school principal. The main objective behind this research was to discern the outcome which the implementation of integration and block scheduling in a private school in Lebanon has left on the learners' incentive to acquire new concepts and enhance the teachers' methods of teaching. This case study has revealed the benefits and drawbacks of implementing integration and block scheduling and suggested innovative ways for the reform of school scheduling and teaching approaches.
2011-03-24
2011-03-24
2007
2011-03-24
2007-11
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/312
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2007.10
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/3142021-03-19T09:58:58Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Enforcement measures under Article 42 of the United Nations Charter theory and practice. (c1996)
Zein, Rawda
United Nations -- Charter
United Nations -- Charter -- Enforcement measures
Includes bibliographical references (l. 104-107).
2011-03-30
2011-03-30
1996
2011-03-30
6/1/1996
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/314
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.1996.10
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/3222023-05-09T07:33:36Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
World Trade Organization. (c1998)
Sabra, Nada Mohsen
World Trade Organization -- Lebanon
Lebanon -- Commercial policy
Includes bibliographical references (p. 131-136).
The global economy is nowadays undergoing a profound change.
Countries all over the world are privatizing their public sectors, reforming their economies and perhaps, most importantly, liberalizing their trade. In line with this trend toward freer markets and freer trade, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which was the keystone of the post-world war II international trading system, was replaced by the World Trade Organization (WTO), which has an even more ambitious agenda for liberalizing trade and indeed integrating, virtually all the local economies into one essentially capitalistic global economy.
Countries, all over the world, including Lebanon, are, nowadays, concerned with the issue of joining the WTO. Thus, the idea of undertaking a study on Lebanon's accession to the WTO came as a result of the importance and significance of this topic. In Lebanon, little is known about the WTO and its agreements. Many seminars and conferences have been held on the subject have helped heighten public awareness about the WTO and the advantages and disadvantages that may results from Lebanon's accession to this international organization.
In this thesis, I examine the steps adopted by Lebanon to formally acceed to the WTO. The thesis also examines the implications of the WTO provisions on Lebanon, as well as the role of the Lebanese Government in preparing Lebanon to join the WTO and be part of the international liberal trade system.
Whether Lebanon, will be able to join the WTO, at a future date, will heavily depend on the steps to be undertaken by the Lebanese authorities to prepare the country for the challenges that lie ahead given the trend towards greater economic integration.
2011-04-05
2011-04-05
1998
2011-04-05
1998-06-24
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/322
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.1998.3
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/3232020-05-18T14:53:44Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
A genetic algorithm for corrective retesting. (c1995)
Fakih, Khaled A.
Algorithms
Combinatorial optimization
Testing -- Data processing
Includes bibliographical references.
The optimal retesting problem is that of determining the minimum number
of test cases needed for revalidating modified software in the maintenance
phase. We present a genetic algorithm (GA) for solving this problem, based
on the program's flow graph and an integer programming problem formulation. The algorithm deviates from classical GAs in that it incorporates
some design choices to guarantee a final feasible solution and to improve the
efficiency of the genetic search. These choices include elitist ranking, random
feasibilization, penalization, and a hybridized hill-climbing procedure. The main advantage of this algorithm is that it does not suffer from exponential
explosion for large program sizes. Further, the experimental results show that
it finds an optimal number of retests faster than other known methods.
2011-04-05
2011-04-05
1995
2011-04-05
1995-05
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/323
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.1995.12
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/3252020-05-18T14:53:44Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Separation as a solution to ethnic conflicts. (c2011)
Wannis, Hovig Hraj
Nagorno-Karabakh (Azerbaijan) -- Ethnic relations
Armenians -- Azerbaijan -- Nagorno-Karabakh
Armenia (Republic) -- Relations -- Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan -- Relations -- Armenia (Republic)
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-101).
Ethnic conflicts have attracted the attention of scholars and diplomats in the last few decades. Many theorists have come up with cogent and complex institutional engineering
schemes - such as federalism, confederalism, consociationalism and others - as solutions capable of bringing peaceful ends to these conflicts. A vast array of these schemes has been
considered for the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, which has continued for more than
fifteen years now. Yet, the conflict remains unresolved. Despite the continuous failures to reach an agreement on one of these schemes, secession has remained ―off the table.
Nagorno-Karabakh, the mostly Armenian-populated autonomous region landlocked in
the former Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan, was one of the first regions to exploit the pledges of Mikhail Gorbachev‘s perestroika and glasnost, and to voice its demand for unification with
its neighbouring Armenia. This struggle, which quickly turned into violent confrontation, is
analyzed in this thesis with the aim of demonstrating the undeniable virtues of secessions in
resolving ethnic conflicts.
This study examines the legitimate claims of secessionist scholars to offer secession a
fair and equal chance similar to the other schemes as a mean to resolve the ethnic conflict in
Nagorno-Karabakh. The question investigated here is whether or not secession offers a viable solution for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and potentially for other ethnic conflicts as well.
2011-04-08
2011-04-08
2011
2011-04-08
2011-02-02
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/325
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2011.6
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/3352020-05-18T14:53:44Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
Simulated annealing and improved genetic algorithms for path testing. (c1997)
Joumaa, Rania
Computer software -- Testing
Simulated annealing (Mathematics)
Genetic algorithms
Includes bibliographical references (l. 45-46).
In this work, we formulate the path testing problem as an optimization problem by combining two previous ideas, and we propose a simulated annealing (SA) algorithm to solve it. We also improve a genetic algorithm (GA) that has been previously used. Our experimental results show that the SA and improved GA are useful for path testing and that they have comparable behavior and performance.
2011-04-08
2011-04-08
1997
2011-04-08
1997-06
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/335
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.1997.15
en
Lebanese American University
oai:laur.lau.edu.lb:10725/3372020-05-18T14:53:44Zcom_10725_2053col_10725_2072
The impact of external intervention on power sharing agreements. (c2011)
Nasrallah, Jana
Lebanon -- Foreign relations -- Case studies
Presidents -- Lebanon -- Election -- Case studies
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 77-81).
Lebanon has attracted the attention of historians and travellers since its early formation in the 18th century as a typical case of a society with different religious sects, each
protecting its socio-religious traditions and prerogatives. It has always been considered an
unusual state with its paradoxes and conflicts, often paving the way for different kinds of
external intervention. Lebanon has also experienced several civil wars, some of which took place even before its formation as an independent state. These wars invited foreign intervention, consequently resulting in the implementation of new power sharing formulas. The latter often fail to establish durable peace, however.
This thesis examines the impact of external intervention on the production of power
sharing agreements in Lebanon. It traces this process from the Mount Lebanon experience,
through the National Pact and Ta‟if Agreement, and to the most recent Doha Accord. The thesis examines the overlapping domestic, regional, and international circumstances that led to the initiation of internal crises and to the later renegotiation of new power sharing
agreements. Moreover, this study focuses especially on the conflicts and external
interventions revolving around presidential elections as examples of the aforementioned
overlapping circumstances.
2011-04-08
2011-04-08
2011
2011-04-08
2011-02-02
Thesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10725/337
https://doi.org/10.26756/th.2011.7
en
Lebanese American University
etdms///com_10725_2053/100