The Impact of e-Maturity Models and Framework on Teaching and Learning Practices in the United Arab Emirates Government Schools

This research examines the impact of e-Maturity Models and frameworks on teaching and learning practices in the UAE government schools. Despite significant efforts towards digital transformation in the UAE school education since 2014, there is limited local research exploring how these models and frameworks influence classroom dynamics. This study addresses this gap by focusing on the UAE’s K-12 system, specifically targeting Cycle 2 and Cycle 3 schools, where students range from 10 to 18 years old, and staff have substantial experience with the e-Maturity programme. This study added a valuable contribution to the literature in a local context by re-introducing the wider literature related to e-Maturity Models impact on school education and compared that with the one and only local study of Smart School Transformation Framework, the UAE national framework that was established by MBRSLP in 2016. Using a multiple case study methodology, data were collected from six government schools, including perspectives from both internal and external e-Maturity evaluators, as well as 129 teachers. The research also incorporates evaluation reports from the schools, along with insights from Ministry of Education officials and professionals. The findings reveal that adopting e-Maturity Models and digital transformation frameworks in UAE government schools have shifted teaching and learning practices towards a more learner-centered approach. However, there remains a need to refine evaluation tools to more accurately capture their impact on pedagogical practices. The impact of e-Maturity Models and frameworks on teaching and learning practices depends on the seamless integration of these tools, continuous professional development, robust evaluation standards, and active stakeholder engagement. Drawing from these insights, the study provides recommendations for decision makers, researchers and practitioners to enhance the programme's impact, promoting further advancement of e-Maturity in UAE school education.