Key Findings from the AURAK Hybrid Writing Center Study

The recent publication in the Journal of International Students titled 'Rethinking writing support: Student satisfaction and writing development in a hybrid model in UAE higher education' has sparked important discussions on academic support services. Conducted at the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK), this quantitative study surveyed 238 students, primarily first-year undergraduates from diverse majors like artificial intelligence, business administration, and engineering. Researchers Dr. Alexandria Proff, Dr. Shadi Yacoub Al-Shidrawi from AURAK, and Rasha Musalam from United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) analyzed how hybrid models—combining in-person and online consultations—affect satisfaction and perceived writing improvement.

Central to the findings is the role of sustained engagement. Students visiting the AURAK Writing Center (AWC) five or more times per semester reported significantly higher satisfaction and writing gains, regardless of their academic year or discipline. Statistical analysis via ANOVA showed a large effect size (η² = .43), with high-usage students scoring much better on perceived improvements in grammar, idea organization, citations, and overall confidence. Ordinal logistic regression confirmed that low or moderate users (1-4 visits) had far lower odds of reporting substantial progress.

However, a notable preference emerged for in-person sessions over online ones, with paired t-tests revealing a large Cohen's d of 1.22. Students valued the interactive, dialogic nature of face-to-face tutoring, aligning with Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development, where real-time feedback fosters deeper learning. Online options were praised for accessibility but criticized for lacking nuanced scaffolding, highlighting a key challenge in hybrid designs.

Background on Writing Centers in UAE Higher Education

Writing centers, also known as Academic Writing Centers (AWCs), have become integral to UAE universities, supporting a predominantly multilingual and international student body. Institutions like UAEU, with its dedicated Writing, Speaking, and Tutorial Centers, and the American University of Sharjah (AUS), one of the Gulf's pioneers, have long emphasized writing support to bridge linguistic gaps. At UAEU, for instance, centers offer services tailored to improve academic English proficiency, crucial in a nation where over 80% of university students are non-native speakers.

The shift to hybrid models accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, mirroring global trends but amplified in the UAE's tech-forward higher education landscape. Pre-pandemic, centers like AUS's focused on in-person peer tutoring for multilingual writers. Post-2020, hybrid approaches integrated platforms like Google Docs for asynchronous feedback and Zoom for virtual sessions, catering to flexible schedules amid rapid digitalization. This evolution reflects UAE's National Agenda for innovation in education, where universities invest in blended learning to enhance employability skills like academic writing.

For STEM-heavy programs at AURAK and Khalifa University, writing support addresses unique challenges: students often receive minimal writing instruction in technical curricula, leading to struggles with research papers and theses. Early studies at UAEU revealed low awareness, with 76% of students viewing centers merely as editing services rather than developmental resources.

The Rise of Hybrid Models Post-Pandemic

The pandemic forced UAE universities to rethink support services, birthing robust hybrid writing centers. At AURAK, the AWC exemplifies this: students book sessions via an online portal, receive feedback through shared documents, or meet tutors face-to-face. This model supports the UAE's diverse demographics—88 nationalities at AURAK alone—where English as a second language demands flexible, scaffolded help.

Comparative research from Qatar's hybrid centers shows postgraduate students favoring online options for convenience, yet echoing AURAK's findings on in-person superiority for complex tasks. UAE-wide, hybrid adoption aligns with Ministry of Education directives for digital transformation, with platforms like Blackboard and Microsoft Teams standardizing virtual tutoring. Benefits include 24/7 access for shift-working students and scalability for growing enrollments—UAE HE saw a 15% rise in international students post-2022.

• Increased accessibility for remote or shy learners
• Cost savings on physical space amid campus expansions
• Data-driven insights from digital logs to refine services

Challenges persist: digital divides affect 10-15% of students from lower-income backgrounds, per UAEU reports. Training tutors for online pedagogies—emphasizing video presence and iterative feedback—is essential.

Detailed Methodology: A Rigorous Quantitative Approach

The AURAK study used a cross-sectional survey of 238 AWC users, validated via exploratory factor analysis (Cronbach's α = .914). The 22-item Likert-scale questionnaire covered demographics, satisfaction, modality preferences, and self-reported improvements. EFA identified three factors: satisfaction/improvement (51% variance), modality preferences (9%), and online disappointment (8%). ANOVA and regression modeled usage frequency's impact, controlling for year and major.

Sampling targeted convenience users, skewed toward first-years (91%), reflecting real service patterns—seniors seek less help. Limitations include self-reported data, underrepresentation of high-year students, and no objective writing assessments. Future longitudinal studies could track GPA changes pre/post-intervention.

Sustained Engagement: The Key to Writing Gains

High-usage students (33.6% of sample) reported transformative outcomes: better idea structuring, citation accuracy, and confidence. Regression odds ratios showed low users 12 times less likely to perceive major improvements. This supports Astin's theory of student involvement, where repeated interactions build skills incrementally.

In UAE's competitive job market, strong writing underpins success. For AURAK's AI and engineering majors (37% of sample), frequent visits correlated with clearer technical reports. Implications: Centers should incentivize repeat visits via progress trackers or loyalty programs, mirroring UAEU's tiered services.

In-Person vs. Online: Why Face-to-Face Wins

Despite hybrid flexibility, students rated in-person consultations far higher for effectiveness. Factor analysis highlighted online feedback's perceived superficiality, lacking the non-verbal cues vital for L2 writers. Effect size (Cohen's d=1.22) underscores this gap, urging pedagogical upgrades like recorded video explanations or AI-assisted preliminary reviews.

UAE context amplifies this: cultural norms favor personal interaction, and high-speed internet (world-leading) enables seamless hybrids, but emotional presence matters. AUS Writing Center reports similar trends, blending modalities strategically.

Implications for Multilingual and International Students

UAE universities host 70-90% international students, many from non-English backgrounds. Hybrid centers democratize access, but findings stress balancing convenience with depth. For STEM fields dominant in UAE (e.g., Khalifa University's engineering focus), targeted workshops on lab reports could boost utilization.

Stakeholder views: Faculty at UAEU note improved assignment quality post-center referrals. Policymakers should fund tutor training, aligning with UAE's Vision 2031 for skilled graduates.

Challenges, Limitations, and UAE-Wide Comparisons

Low response from advanced students limits generalizability. UAEU's awareness study (2015) showed editing misconceptions persist, though hybrids may evolve perceptions. Zayed University integrates writing across curriculum, complementing centers.

• AURAK: Hybrid pioneer, high first-year focus
• UAEU: Multi-center model (writing/speaking)
• AUS: Multilingual specialist

Solutions: Cross-institutional collaborations via UAE Writing Program Consortium.

Future Outlook: Enhancing Hybrid Writing Support

Researchers recommend modality-agnostic training, personalized plans, and AI integration (e.g., Grammarly feedback loops). UAE's edtech investments position it as a hybrid leader. Longitudinal tracking could quantify retention impacts.

For students eyeing careers, proficient writing is key. Explore UAE academic opportunities or higher ed jobs.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

Actionable Insights for UAE University Administrators and Faculty

Invest in tutor development for online efficacy. Promote via orientations. Track metrics like repeat visits and GPA correlations. Hybrid models support UAE's internationalization, preparing global-ready graduates.

Read the full study: Journal of International Students article. UAEU centers: Book a session.

In conclusion, AURAK's study rethinks writing support, proving hybrids work best with sustained, prioritized in-person elements. This paves the way for innovative, inclusive services in UAE higher education. Check Rate My Professor, higher ed jobs, career advice, university jobs, or post a job to advance your path.