CCQ Newsletter April

Final Round With only a few weeks remaining in the semester, CCQ is busy with its final round of spring

classes, sporting events, and policy revisions. Our main story centers on academic dishonesty

and looks into the many challenges instructors face when confronted with challenges in the

classroom. This is an in-depth, honest piece that speaks to both students and faculty alike. Im-

portant information regarding summer registration and finals can also be found inside.

“Eyes on CCQ”

Vantagepoint | The Community College of Qatar Newsletter April 2012 | Issue number 5

“I am responsible for

what I do” Prof. Valorie Gehman– Page 2

وجهة نظر

CONTENTS

CCQ Spotlight 2

CCQ in Action 3

CCQ Announcements 4

FINALS 5

Finals are right around the

corner! Check the back for info.

Us on Facebook

The CCQ Soccer team poses for a group picture before their first match against Georgetown University. CCQ won 10-0 and will now

be playing in the finals on April 17th.

Newsletter Organization Edward Feighny Editor-in-Chief [email protected]

Dr. Abdullnassir Al-Tamimi Editor [email protected]

Zahraa Ajine Design & Style [email protected]

Gregory Twidal Design & Style [email protected]

Students, this is where your words come

to life through the power of print.

CCQ Spotlight

Students: Who grows smarter if you allow one or two students to lead the others and give the others a hand by telling them the an-swers? Who is left behind? If you allow the strong to domi-nate, they will. It is to their ad-vantage to eliminate you from the grade competition. They are willing and able to take their place in society, but where does that leave you? Every lesson counts toward the next one. Don’t let the others go forward while you lag behind. Do it for your country. The gov-ernment of Qatar is providing so very much for its people so

that they can take a respect-able place in the job market here and all over the world. Step into the opportunity. In a very few years you’ll be glad you have a really challenging job—it’s like being in an Indi-ana Jones movie—what comes next? Students can do better. Faculty can do better. Remember “I am responsible for what I do.” This statement is true for everyone.

Case Management and Academic Honesty From a Faculty Standpoint: A Vantagepoint Exclusive, by Professor Valorie Gehman

To improve student relations, here are some case management strategies for faculty to consider: 1. Try to use the same words on the test as you use in class room discussion. I find that synonyms are confusing as this is a second language and the students have not yet fully mastered the English language. They think I'm giving them a trick question and it is very stressful for them. 2. Review thoroughly before the test. When I started doing this, my students started doing really well on their tests. Repeating the information is THE best way to put info into long term memory. The students don't really know how to study--yet. Give them specific help. Tell them they need to review their notes 3 days ahead of a test for 3 hours, then 2 days ahead and concentrate on the problem areas. Then, study the night before: do a complete review; hit the problem areas until they know them. 3. Every test has some easier questions--start the test with these so the students gain confidence at the beginning. 4. Have a few bonus points for them to try. Make the bo-

nus a chance to show you what they did study. 5. Make several versions of the same test to hand out. Rewrite your previously used tests. 6. Space out the students and walk the room during the test. Don’t be on the computer or grading papers. 7. Clear the area. Put all cell phones, purses, books, etc. on the floor or on a table. Require both hands to be above the table. 8. Remember that the students are taking college level courses in a second language. They are so good that I think I expect too much sometimes. 9. What I do: Check my attitude for haughtiness, disdain, and willingness to blame. Input: contemplation of the situation, reforming my habits, saying “I was wrong”, and striving to be better than I have been. 10.If a student cheats, give him or her so much extra work to make up that they'll be sorry they tried to be lazy. Talk to them. Let them know that they are better than this and you expect them to do better; in fact, you won't take any-thing less.

These kids are smart, capable, and tender. They trusted us to come here to help them. They are able and willing to learn but do need things broken into bits so they understand. I see huge changes after they have been in our classes a year.

As faculty we see our jobs as not only imparting knowledge, but also establishing a firm base for the next generation. The students in Qatar have not been trained from early on that cheating will get you expelled. I get the impression it has been a wide spread practice. They are very group-oriented and used to pulling up the stragglers by giving them the answers. They are completely embarrassed to receive anything below a 99 and feel humiliated to the point of quitting. However, these attitudes are not always their own for some students. If they don't receive all As, their sponsors may withdraw their funds and the student is left without sponsorship.

Students, this is where your words come to life through

the power of print. [email protected]

CCQ in Action

CCQ&A An Interview with Ahmed Al-Hassan, President of S.C.A., and Vice-President of S.G.A., Interviewer: Gregory Twidal Ahmed Al-Hassan has been involved in organizing all major CCQ West Bay events including the Table Tennis Tournament, the Billiard Tournament, Na-tional Sports Day at Sealine Beach, Charity Day at the Aspire, the West Bay Barbeque, National Day 2011, the Public Volleyball tournament, and most recently, the Shooting Competition, in which he was awarded the Gold Metal in the Men’s Division. He is also captain of the CCQ Soccer Team. They

will play in the Championship on Tuesday, April

17th. He hopes to see everybody there.

Gregory Twidal (Vantagepoint): Good Evening Ahmed, so tell us a little bit about yourself. Ahmed Al-Hassan: I love sports and I have since I was in primary school. I was a professional soccer player for 5 years with the Al-Saad and Al-Ahly Clubs, but in 2006 I decided I wanted something different.

Gregory: So why are you attending classes at

CCQ?

Ahmed: I wish to acquire a certificate to help me

move further in my career. I currently work with

Aspire in the HR department as a Training and De-

velopment Officer. Before that, I worked with the

Qatari Olympic Committee, also in the HR depart-

ment as a Recruitment Coordinator for more than

four years.

I also feel that it is important to develop my English

skills as it will give me more opportunities to move

further and become more valuable to my organiza-

tion.

Gregory: You are certainly involved ina great deal of work here at CCQ. Why the interest in sports? Ahmed: I believe that we will never forget these days at CCQ, that's why I like to be part of these events. Also, as I mentioned I like all sports. Finally, I’m working towards the national vision. Ahmed: " To become a leading nation in bringing the world together through sport ". This is the vision of the Qatar Olympic Committee & there is an equally impressive vision; the Qatari National Vision for 2030 regarding Qatar’s place in the sporting world. As Qatar has already organized the 2005 West Asian games, 2006 Asian Games, World Div-ing Competition 2009, WIC (World Indoor Athletics Competition) 2010, the 2011 Asian Cup and the 2011 Arab Games. Qatar now wishes to be a world renowned country for all sporting events. Fortu-nately, they should achieve this with the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Ahmed Al-Hassan has been involved as an organizer for each of these previous events in

different positions and is cur-rently the Head of Training for the School Olympic program. Athletics isn’t Ah-med’s only interest though. Ahmed: I think education is important. One subject that surprised me was American History, which I did not understand why I needed this as a class. How-ever, after a few weeks I found it fascinating and the Professor, Dr. John Moretta, did an excellent job keeping me interested. There were so many chal-lenges when building the US. Life here was very different 15 years ago, especially

for education, tourism, systems, and life. We have

tried to develop as much as we can. We want the

world to know about Qatar. His Highness the Emir

Shaikh Hamad is always thinking about his people,

his country, and the countries around us. Qatar

wants for its people to be strong in different ways.

The Qatari National Vision for 2030 aspires to de-

velop Qatar and its people and has developing the

Qatari people as one of its four pillars.

CCQ on

facebook

Students familiar with

social network sites can

now follow CCQ through

the college’s Facebook

page. Students will be

able to post comments,

learn about upcoming

events, and share

experiences online.

Please “Like” the page

and visit often. Staying

current with technology

and the world at large, the

new Facebook page will

also serve as a window

for prospective students

curious about going to

CCQ.

Please post responsibly.

Students, this is where your words come

to life through the power of print.

CCQ Announcements

CCQ Shooting Competition

CCQ Faculty, staff and students participated in a clas-

sic shooting competition Thursday, April 12th, that was spon-sored by Qatar Olympic Committee at their state-of-the-art facility, the Lusail International Shooting Club. The competition started at 10am featuring outstanding shooters from among the female and male participants. On behalf of the College President, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Naimi, Dr. Abdulnassir Al-Tamimi, Assistant Dean, Student Services, congratulated all partici-pants and presented the medals to the winners. Dr. Al-Tamimi thanked the Qatar Olympic Committee for their wonderful hos-pitality and for hosting the college at their site. He also thanked the organizers, CCQ Student Government President and gold medalist shooter, Mr. Hamad Ali Al-Marri and CCQ Student Government Vice President, Mr. Ahmed Hassan for their outstanding work organizing the event. Dr. Al-Tamimi expressed his sincere gratitude to Ms. Wedad Rebeeha and Ms. Mashael Al-Mohammadi for assisting in the coordination of the event.

Student Government Vice President, Ahmed Hassan confidently won the gold medal in a tough shoot out. Professor David "John Wayne" Britton was outstanding as he won the silver medal while CCQ student Salman Al-Mohannadi won the bronze medal. In the women’s competition, Professor An-nie Smalley and her sister Toni Smalley won the gold and sil-ver medals, respectively. Professor Somaya Najafi proved to be dangerous when armed and a great shooter as she came back from behind to win the bronze medal.

Winners - Men Ahmed Hassan – Gold David Britton – Silver

Salman Al-Mohannadi – Bronze

Winners – Women Annie Smalley – Gold Toni Smalley – Silver

Somaya Najafi – Bronze

CCQ participated in a Shooting Competition at Lusail International Shooting Club

Join us at the Championship Soccer Match

Who: All are invited! Date: Tuesday, April 17th, 2012 Time: 6:30 pm Where: Aspire Zone (in the dome)

"Our team needs support from everyone" Good luck CCQ’s Soccer Team!

Championship Soccer Match The Community College of Qatar

Vs.

Carnegie Mellon University

Write to us! Assist with the Newspaper!

[email protected]

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Final Exam, Schedule The Community College of Qatar

Spring 2012 Semester

The final exam period is Sunday, April 29th

thru Wednesday, May 2nd

.

All ESL (ESOL) Courses

Class Starts Final Exam Day and Time

8:00 am Sunday, April 29th at 8:00am

9:30 am Monday, April 30th at 9:30am

11:00 am Tuesday, May 1st at 11:00am

2:45 pm Wednesday, May 2nd at 12:45pm

2:15 pm Sunday, April 29th at 2:00pm

(Note: 15 minutes earlier than regular class time)

4:00 pm Sunday, April 29th at 4:00pm

5:30 pm Monday, April 30th at 5:30pm

6:45 pm Tuesday, May 1st at 6:45pm

8:00 pm Wednesday, May 2nd at 8:00pm

All Transition (Developmental English) and College Ready Courses

Classes meeting on Sunday & Tuesday Classes meeting on Monday & Wednesday

Class Starts Final Exam Day and Time Class Starts Final Exam Day and Time

8:00am Sunday, April 29th at 8:00am 8:00am Monday, April 30th at 8:00am

10:00 am Tuesday, May 1st at 10:00am 10:00 am Wednesday, May 2nd at 10:00am

12:30 pm Sunday, April 29th at 12:30pm 12:30 pm Monday, April 30th at 12:30pm

2:30 pm Tuesday, May 1st at 2:30pm 2:30 pm Wednesday, May 2nd at 2:30pm


6:00 pm Tuesday, May 1st at 6:00pm 6:00 pm Wednesday, May 2nd at 6:00pm


Documents

CCQ Newsletter April