Raghad Alsaka, Ph.D.

Moscow, Idaho, USA
Email: [email protected] | [email protected]
Phone: (208) 310-0063
Website: raghadalsaka.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/raghadalsaka

Academic Profile

Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in Curriculum and Instruction and an emphasis on Educational Technology. My work focuses on teacher education, generative artificial intelligence in education, curriculum development, instructional strategies, and educational research. I have experience teaching and supporting preservice teachers at the University of Idaho, along with international K-12 English teaching experience in Jordan and Kuwait. My academic and professional interests include AI in education, instructional design, multilingual learners, children’s literature, teacher preparation, and technology-supported learning.

Research Interests

Generative artificial intelligence in education
Educational technology and instructional design
Curriculum and instruction
Teacher education and preservice teacher preparation
AI literacy, prompting practices, and ethical AI use in education
Multilingual learners and English language education
Online and blended learning
Qualitative research, phenomenology, and thematic analysis

Education

Ph.D. in Education, Curriculum and Instruction
University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
Emphasis: Educational Technology
Completed: Spring 2026

Dissertation: Generative AI in Graduate Education: Master’s and Doctoral Students’ Experiences and Academic Practices
Chair: Dr. Janine Darragh
Methodology: Qualitative phenomenological study using semi-structured interviews and reflexive thematic analysis

M.A. in Education, Educating Multilingual Learners
Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
Completed: Fall 2021

B.A. in English Language and Literature
Al-Balqa Applied University, Jordan
Completed: Spring 2019

Academic Appointments and University Teaching

Graduate Teaching Assistant / Instructor

University of Idaho, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Moscow, Idaho, USA | August 2023 - May 2026

Taught and supported undergraduate and graduate students in curriculum planning, instructional methods, educational theory, and teacher preparation.
Designed and facilitated learning activities, discussions, assignments, and assessments for preservice teachers.
Supported students’ academic writing, lesson planning, reflection, and professional growth.
Provided feedback on course assignments, teaching reflections, literature circles, and classroom-based projects.
Integrated educational technology and online tools to support student engagement and learning.
Observed preservice teachers during field experiences and provided constructive feedback to support their instructional development and reflective practice.

Courses Taught

Instructor of Record

EDCI 321 / ED 321: Literature for Children, University of Idaho
EDCI 201 / EDCI 550: Contexts in Education, University of Idaho
EDCI 409: Integrated Elementary Methods Practicum II, University of Idaho
EDCI 301: Learning, Development, and Assessment, University of Idaho

Teaching Areas

Curriculum and instruction
Educational technology
AI in education
Teacher education
Children’s literature
Contexts of education
Instructional design
Multilingual education
English language teaching
Learning, development, and assessment
Classroom management and behavior support
Educational psychology

Research and Scholarly Projects

Dissertation Research

Generative AI in Graduate Education: Master’s and Doctoral Students’ Experiences and Academic Practices
University of Idaho | 2026

Explored graduate students’ lived experiences using generative AI in academic work.
Examined how students use AI for brainstorming, summarizing, drafting, language refinement, and learning support.
Investigated ethical concerns related to accuracy, privacy, academic integrity, institutional expectations, and overreliance.
Used qualitative phenomenological methods, semi-structured interviews, and reflexive thematic analysis.

High-Impact Online Professional Learning Experiences for Teachers to Support Accelerated Learning for Students (CALM)

University of Idaho

Contributed to a professional learning project designed to support teachers through online professional development.
Focused on research-based strategies, interactive tools, collaboration, and support for student learning.
Supported qualitative data analysis by reviewing and refining AI-generated interview transcripts using Otter.ai, cleaning and organizing textual data, and preparing transcripts for thematic coding and interpretation.

Publications

Manuscripts Under Review

Alsaka, R., Darragh, J., Wang, J., and Udekwu, L. (2026). Bridging practice and professional growth: Teachers’ literacy perceptions and the potential of a literacy symposium. Manuscript under review at The WERA Educational Journal.
Cheah, Y. H., Hsu, H.-P., Lu, J., & Alsaka, R. (2026). Talking to the machine: Pre-service teachers’ prompting strategies and decision-making in using generative artificial intelligence. Manuscript under review at Australasian Journal of Educational Technology.

Conference Presentations and Participation

Selected Conference Presentations

Preservice Teachers and Artificial Intelligence: Unpacking Their Conceptualizations, Use, and Justifications
Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT)
2025, Las Vegas

A Systematic Review of the Use of AI in Language Education: A Global Lens
Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT)
2025, Las Vegas

K-12 Teachers’ Social Media Use for Professional Learning: A Cross-Cultural Comparison Study
Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT)
2025, Las Vegas

Kaleela: A User-Centered Approach to Arabic Language Learning Through Digital Innovation
Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT)
2025, Las Vegas

Preservice Teachers’ Prompting Practices and Decision-Making in Using Generative Artificial Intelligence
American Educational Research Association (AERA)
2026, Los Angeles

Conferences Attended

Multi-Tiered System of Supports in education (MTSS), 2024, Pullman, Washington
Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), 2024, Kansas City

Awards and Honors

Best Paper Award
Instructional Technology SIG 52, American Educational Research Association (AERA) | 2026, Los Angeles
Awarded for the paper: Preservice Teachers’ Prompting Practices and Decision-Making in Using Generative Artificial Intelligence

Professional Experience

English Teacher

Kingston School
Amman, Jordan | September 2020 - August 2021

Taught English using the British curriculum for early elementary learners.
Observed and evaluated students’ academic progress and social development.
Revised lesson plans and instructional materials to support student-centered learning.
Communicated with families and school staff to support students’ academic and behavioral development.

English Teacher

The English Playgroup and Primary Group Educational Company
Kuwait | September 2019 - August 2020

Taught English and supported additional curriculum areas such as mathematics and personal, social, and emotional development.
Developed quizzes, classroom activities, and instructional materials to evaluate student learning.
Participated in after-school and seasonal programs.
Communicated with parents through conferences and school activities.

Content Writer

Reach Immigration / Kaleela Project
Amman, Jordan | January 2019 - August 2019

Wrote English-language articles for the Kaleela project, which supports Arabic learning for non-Arabic speakers.
Researched topics related to language learning, culture, and education.
Edited and proofread content for clarity, accuracy, and audience engagement.
Conducted interviews with subject matter experts to develop article topics.

English Second Language Teacher

Arjan Gate Center
Amman, Jordan | 2017 - 2018

Taught English to elementary-level learners through stories, songs, games, and interactive activities.
Developed lessons to support grammar, reading, speaking, and conversational English.
Integrated technology and student-centered activities to support language learning.
Assisted with schedules, curriculum planning, and ESL activities.

Certifications and Professional Development

IRB Investigators and Student Researchers
Safeguarding Young People, EduCare
Fire Safety for International Schools, EduCare
First Aid Essentials for International Schools, EduCare
Leadership and Employment Program: Company Foundation and Work Communication Skills
Growth Mindset Training, AlGhurair Foundation for Education
English Conversation Course, University of Jordan Student Union
Teaching training at AlAnjom School, Kindergarten level

Skills

Teaching and Curriculum

Curriculum development
Lesson planning
Teacher preparation
Classroom instruction
Student-centered learning
Assessment and evaluation
Children’s literature instruction
English language teaching
Multilingual learner support
Behavior management

Research and Academic Skills

Qualitative research
Semi-structured interviews
Thematic analysis
Literature review
Academic writing
APA 7 formatting
Technical writing
Research ethics and IRB procedures
Data organization and coding

Technology and Tools

Educational technology tools
Online and blended teaching tools
IBM SPSS Statistics
Computer literacy
Learning management systems
Generative AI tools for teaching and research support

Languages

Arabic: Native
English: Advanced / Professional proficiency