Abstract Book of the 9th International Conference on Research in Education, Teaching and Learning
Year: 2025
DOI:
[PDF]
Sense-making and Enactment of the English Foundation Programme in Oman Universities
Dr. Asma Al Aufi
ABSTRACT:
This qualitative study develops an improved understanding of the English Foundation Programme sensemaking and enactment in the Omani higher education University. Using a sensemaking framework, the study explores how the different stakeholders’ individual cognition (beliefs, experiences and knowledge) and their situated cognition (social, cultural and physical contexts) influenced in the sensemaking and enactment of the foundation program in a selected University in Oman. The study made use of semi-structured interviews. A total of 13 interviews were conducted with different stakeholders including policymakers, Associate Deans, Heads of Departments and Skills Coordinators. The interview data was analysed using the thematic analysis approach. Consequently, this revealed the process of how agents went through the phases of making sense, interpretation, reconciliation and/ or counterbalancing different institutional logics to enable or constrain them in the enactment process. The institution’s effective organisational structure and culture promoted the extent to which the foundation programme was enacted. The study acknowledges its limitations and sheds light on possible avenues for future research.
keywords: Sensemaking framework, HEI, English Foundation Programme, Cognition