Looking through the lens of Locus of Control: An investigation of male students’ perceptions of learning in an Emirati context

This study investigates Locus of Control as a construct in the learning behaviours of male students in a tertiary institution in the UAE. It aims to establish the internality or externality of a group of students, identify precursors attributable to that orientation, and consider the influence of locus of control on learning and teaching.

Literature in the field is reviewed, indicating what it means to have an internal or external locus of control, its importance in relation to education, and in particular to learning at this tertiary institution. This is followed by an analysis of research data derived from surveys, diaries, classroom observations, and interviews with students. Rotter’s (1966b) I-E Scale is used in quantitative data collection, while the researcher’s own design is used for two of the qualitative instruments, diary studies and semi-structured interviewing. An official college evaluation tool is used for classroom observation.

The analyses indicate that even though the majority of students claim to be internal in their locus of control, four of the eight interviewees in the sample group expressed a preference for traditional face-to-face learning, whereas the other four favoured a hybrid learning environment. Such findings are examined in light of their significance for learning and teaching at the tertiary institution. Recommendations are made for the medium and delivery of instruction at the said tertiary institution and, ultimately, other third-level institutions in the UAE. They advise, among other strategies, a blended learning approach, which would cater for all learning preferences as it encompasses both face-to-face and online delivery. It is suggested that these implications may also be pertinent to other educational institutions in the Gulf that are designing and implementing online courses for Arab students. The limitations of this study are discussed, and finally, suggestions are offered for further research in this area.