Research Symposium

BIO

Manal Abdurazik is a first-year sophomore majoring in Chemistry and pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree. She is interested in the medical field and is working toward building a strong background in science through her coursework and research experiences.

Currently, Manal is involved in a research project titled Observing African Classrooms Through the Teaching Through Interactions Framework Lens. This project focuses on examining classroom environments and teaching practices in African schools. Through this research, Manal observes how teachers interact with students and studies how these interactions can influence student learning and classroom engagement.

Manal conducts this research under the mentorship of Adrienne Barnes-Story, who guides her through the research process and supports her academic growth. This experience has allowed her to learn more about educational research and how observation frameworks can be used to study teaching practices. After graduating, Manal hopes to pursue an MD degree and become a physician.

Observing African classrooms through the Teaching Through Interactions Framework lens

Abstract

Classroom interactions play a critical role in shaping student learning outcomes, especially in low-resource educational environments. This project examines how teacher–student interactions influence students’ confidence, engagement, and overall academic development in African classrooms. Using the Teaching Through Interactions (TTI) Framework, the study analyzes three key dimensions: emotional support, classroom organization, and instructional support. Prior observations suggest that supportive and responsive teaching practices increase students’ participation and strengthen their belief in their academic abilities. By systematically examining these interaction patterns, this study aims to better understand how effective classroom practices contribute to improved learning outcomes. The findings may help inform teacher training programs and educational interventions designed to foster equitable and supportive learning environments.

Keywords: classrooms, Africa, observing