The Effect of a Core Competencies Training Program on Faculty Members’ Teaching Performance

Abstract

Education in general and higher education in particular is becoming an influential force behind economic and social development in an increasingly competitive world. Thus, the need for highly trained and competent graduates obliges nations across the world to adopt thoughtful educational plans in order to improve teaching quality in higher education; what Voorhees (2001) calls “Competency-Based Learning Models” .This study was conducted to assess the impact of an intensive faculty training program which was performed at the University of Dammam in 2014 on improving teaching and learning knowledge, attitudes, and skills for male and female faculty members. Thirty-six faculty members formed the sample of this study (14 males and 22 females). The results of a paired sample t-test indicated significant positive difference between pre- and post-test performance. For the purpose of data triangulation, eight randomly selected participants in the training program have been interviewed. All of the interviewees indicted that the program is valuable. Furthermore, they recommended that the program should be provided to all faculty members at the University of Dammam, especially for newly joined faculty members.