Rachid, Bendraou
Unknown Affiliation

Published : 2 Documents Claim Missing Document
Claim Missing Document
Check
Articles

Found 2 Documents
Search

Enhancing Critical Thinking through Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116: A Problem-Based Approach in a Cross-Cultural Middle School Classroom Rachid, Bendraou; Yi-Huang, Shih; Sakale, Sana; Hichami, Taoufik Alaoui
Journal of Research in Education and Pedagogy Vol. 2 No. 4 (2025): Journal of Research in Education and Pedagogy
Publisher : Scientia Publica Media

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.70232/jrep.v2i4.119

Abstract

This study investigates how Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116 is used as a resource to encourage critical thinking among third-year middle school students in a multiculturally mixed classroom setting in Morocco. Twenty-five students were involved in a learning intervention in the PBL (problem-based learning) framework, with a focus on collaborative inquiry, cultural interpretation, and performance activities. A one-group pre-test/post-test design was used in this study to examine differences in the students’ critical thinking from prior to the intervention toward after the intervention. Findings suggested that students had learned to interpret literary topics, negotiate abstractions such as love or fidelity, and relate these to their real circumstances. Discussion and production outside of the sonnet had encouraged students to exercise their interpretive skills, and they had gained experience in cognition, argumentation, and reflection. The results provide evidence of the potential of embedding classics in contemporary pedagogy, such as PBL, to stimulate students’ cognitive engagement and promote intercultural understanding. The study also demonstrates the way Shakespeare’s works, if contextualized effectively, can overcome cultural frontiers and offer wider possible resources for literacy and critical understanding. The findings suggest that literature-based instruction can offer benefits beyond the development of academic literacy skills, in helping shape open-minded, reflective individuals who can engage in thoughtful exploration of diverse views. In the final analysis, the paper supports the pedagogical benefit of using Shakespeare in Moroccan schools and calls for both lovers of literature and lovers of education to tap into literature as a conduit for critical and culturally responsive pedagogy. These educational strategies enhance classroom conversation, foster interpretative independence, cultivate empathy, promote student agency, and stimulate profound engagement with many human experiences.
Enhancing Early Childhood Cognitive Development through Play-Based Learning: A Case Study Zuva, Joseph; Mutseekwa, Christopher; R. Slate, John; Rachid, Bendraou; L. Kahare, Muhini; P. Takona, James
Nak-Kanak: Journal of Child Research Vol. 2 No. 4 (2025)
Publisher : Program Studi Pendidikan Guru Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan, Universitas Trunojoyo Madura

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.21107/njcr.v2i4.210

Abstract

Background of the study: This study examines cognitive development in early childhood within the context of play-based learning at Al-Hidayah Kindergarten. Grounded in constructivist perspectives, the research emphasizes that cognitive development in early childhood is shaped not merely by stimulus–response mechanisms, but by children’s active engagement and individual learning processes. Accordingly, learning processes are considered more critical than final outcomes, given the variability in children’s cognitive developmental trajectories. Aims and scope of paper: The study aims to explore how structured play activities—specifically puzzle-solving and block-stacking—support cognitive learning processes, including problem-solving and creativity, in a preschool setting. It also investigates the implementation of group-based learning models and identifies challenges encountered in fostering cognitive development through play. Methods: A qualitative research design was employed, with data collected through classroom observations and semi-structured interviews with teachers. The analysis focused on children’s interactions during play activities and how these interactions reflected their cognitive development. Results: The findings indicate that play-based learning significantly supports the development of children’s cognitive abilities, particularly in problem-solving and creative thinking. Nevertheless, several challenges were identified, including children’s tendency to lose interest quickly and the emergence of egocentric behaviors, such as limited willingness to share and cooperate with peers. Contribution: This study contributes to the global discourse on early childhood education by providing empirical insights into how play-based learning and responsive pedagogical strategies support cognitive development in preschool settings. It extends existing literature by illustrating the interplay between cognitively enriching play activities and children’s behavioral responses within everyday classroom contexts. By identifying both enabling factors and behavioral challenges inherent in play-based learning environments, this study offers transferable pedagogical implications for early childhood educators seeking to enhance the effectiveness of instructional practices across diverse educational contexts.