Abstract:

The study aims to recognize the perceptions of social studies teachers in Ministry of Education (MoE) schools within the UAE towards professional development programs. In addition, the study investigates the nature of PD programs and how they help in-service social studies teachers to become better practitioners in the area of social studies. It also identifies the characteristics of effective professional development programs which is designed to positively enhance students understanding of social studies. In addition, the study sheds a light on difficulties hindered full engagement of social studies teachers in PD program and recommends solutions for such phenomenon. In order for the researcher to conduct this study both a survey and focused-group interviews are used to collect data from teachers. The interview sample consists of 16 male and female social studies teachers and 100 teachers, from different educational districts in UAE, are targeted to complete the survey. The findings of this study beneficial for the policymakers in MoE to revisit the professional development programs for social studies teachers in the UAE.

Keywords:

Social Stuides, Professional Development, Teacher Traininig.