Journal of Almaarif University College

This study examined critics’ expressions such as “sweet in speech,” “he was sweeter,” or comparisons between two narrators using the term “sweeter,” and how these expressions were employed, their intended meaning when applied to narrators, and the extent of their impact on the narrator’s rank and status according to the scholars of al-Jarḥ wa al-Taʿdīl (criticism and validation). It also explored whether these terms indicate absolute reliability or if they carry another meaning not limited to reliability. Furthermore, the study noted that some scholars, such as Aḥmad and Abū Ḥātim al-Rāzī, used these descriptions frequently, while others mentioned them only once or twice.

This study provides a contribution to the field of ‘Ilm al-Rijal (Science of Narrators) by examining the foundational efforts of Imam Isa ibn Yunus (d. 187 AH) in standardizing the nominal identifiers of narrators, encompassing their given names, patronymics (Kunyā), and lineages. The research problem stems from the critical need for precise biographical identification as a prerequisite for the critical evaluation of transmission chains (Isnad) and the authentication of prophetic traditions (Hadith(. The methodology employed an inductive approach, tracing and compiling Imam Isa's critiques from primary biographical dictionaries (Kutub al-Rijal), followed by analytical comparison with the opinions of other classical scholars to delineate his methodology and impact. The research was structured into two main themes: the first analyzing his standardization of names and patronymics, and the second his standardization of lineages and epithets. The study yielded several key findings: The opinions of Imam Isa ibn Yunus were characterized by remarkable precision and methodological innovation, often relying on field verification and direct inquiry, as evidenced in his confirmation of the lineage of "Waki' bin 'Adas." Furthermore, the results establish Imam Isa's pioneering role in determining and authenticating the patronymics of certain narrators, with his judgments becoming authoritative references for subsequent scholars. A notable example is the kunya "Abu 'Amir" for Abdullah bin Amir Al-Aslami, which Al-Bukhari himself attributed to Isa ibn Yunus's verification. These findings underscore the esteemed scholarly status of Imam Isa ibn Yunus and the significant impact of his efforts in establishing rigorous critical principles for narrator evaluation.

This research aims to explore the Prophetic method in intellectual immunization as the most effective means of protecting Muslims from ideological deviations and destructive movements that threaten the unity, security, and stability of the Muslim nation. The study investigates the causes of intellectual deviation, including ignorance, misunderstanding, following desires, fanaticism, and extremism. The third section focuses on the Prophetic foundations and methods of intellectual protection, which are based on solid principles such as adherence to the Qur’an and the Sunnah, steadfastness upon religious values, and warning against division. These are followed by constructive approaches such as sincere advice, gentle exhortation, dialogue and debate, avoidance and disciplinary measures. The study concludes that the Prophetic approach to intellectual immunization is grounded in moderation and balance, rejecting extremism and exaggeration. The Prophet ﷺ adopted a two-stage strategy—foundation and construction—to safeguard his community from deviation. Extremism and excessive rigidity are identified as the most dangerous causes of deviation, leading to takfir (excommunication), violence, and destruction.

The subject of singing—whether permissible, disliked, or prohibited—has long been discussed in Islamic scholarship. However, in contemporary times, this topic has evolved beyond its traditional scope to include new dimensions, such as religious and patriotic chants, distinct from musical songs whose prohibition is undisputed. The increasing prevalence of singing in various public settings, such as in transportation and public gatherings, makes it a matter of practical concern that requires renewed scholarly investigation. Accordingly, this study is entitled “The Legal Guidelines for Permissible Singing.” The research is divided into two main sections: the first presents definitions of the key terms both linguistically and technically, while the second focuses on outlining the legal guidelines in a systematic, numbered sequence beginning with the most significant.

This study explores the importance of the Arabic language for Kurdish-speaking students at universities in the Kurdistan Region, emphasizing its role as a scientific, cultural, and religious language that supports cognitive identity and effective academic engagement. Using a descriptive-analytical approach supported by an inductive method, questionnaires were administered to students of the Arabic Department at Soran University. The findings revealed that students recognize Arabic as a core element in reinforcing Kurdish cultural identity (64%) and as a gateway to broader professional opportunities (69%). The religious dimension was highly prominent, with 76% associating Arabic with the Qur’an and Islamic practices. Politically, 67% acknowledged its significance as the official language of the state and a medium for interacting with governmental institutions. However, more than half of the participants (52%) perceived the current curricula as traditional and insufficiently aligned with labor market needs. The study concludes that Arabic plays a crucial role in students’ cultural, religious, political, and professional development, while highlighting the need to modernize curricula to better meet students’ academic and practical requirements.

Ibn al-Rūmī (221–289 AH) was one of the most distinctive poets of the third Islamic century, known for the depth, diversity, and introspective richness of his poetic voice. His diwan reflects a profound psychological tension shaped by his social circumstances and artistic ambition, rendering his poetry a mirror of his inner life. In this context, ʿAbbās Maḥmūd al-ʿAqqād’s study Ibn al-Rūmī: Ḥayātuhu min Shiʿrihi (1931) stands as a pioneering attempt to reconstruct the poet’s life through his verse rather than through historical accounts, framing the work as a “portrait of a life” rather than a conventional biography. This approach reintroduced Ibn al-Rūmī into the modern critical consciousness, emphasizing the unity between his lived experience and poetic creation. This paper critically reassesses al-ʿAqqād's methodology, analyzing its literary and psychological foundations, while comparing it to Muḥammad al-Nuwayhī's counterarguments in Thaqāfat al-Nāqid al-Adabī (1949), which advocated for a more scientific and physiological reading grounded in contemporary understandings of neurology and endocrinology. By revisiting this dialogue, the study seeks to highlight the strengths and limitations of each approach, and to propose a balanced reading of Ibn al-Rūmī that honors both the expressive dimensions of the poetic text and the complexity of the poet’s character.

The Kurds were not stingy in giving birth to men who contributed to the building of human civilization in the past and in the present, and whoever searches the shelves of libraries finds that there are many scholars who served the sciences that were prevalent at that time, and they left behind a great wealth of knowledge. Therefore, this research is an attempt to identify this scholar who did not put down the walking stick as a seeker of knowledge, or preferably after he was blessed and gifted to teach at al-Sulaymaniyah School in Istanbul, or accused of being a cadet who would have spent his life without the grace of God Almighty. And we will focus on his most important components in different sciences, and we will try to reveal the period in the society in terms of knowledge and behavior, drawing the features of his life since its first origin, reviewing the stages of his life, and his efforts in seeking knowledge, and the scholars who understood it, or narrated it, and in my language, the place and appreciation in his time, so as to show the profound impact on the intellectual and spiritual life of the eleventh century of Hijri. The purpose of the study is on two topics, under each topic there are three topics, the first topic is about Asra, and the second topic is about its name and lineage, its birth, its origins, its culture, its scientific status, its sheikha, its students, and its religion and belief. And the third request is about his contemporaries, and his trip to Egypt, and the incident of being accused of reincarnation, and what resulted from it, then the year of his death. As for the second discussion, it deals with the first topic in its 1000th components in Egypt, the second topic for the first topic in Istanbul, and the third topic for the first topic in the city of Bursa.

The present study aimed to examine the levels of both cognitive flexibility and mind-wandering among university students, as well as to identify the significance of differences based on academic specialization (scientific vs. humanities) and gender (male vs. female). It also sought to determine the correlation between the two variables. To achieve these objectives, the researcher provided a theoretical framework supported by relevant previous studies. Two measurement tools were adopted: the Cognitive Flexibility Scale developed by Al-Jumaili (2022) and the Mind-Wandering Scale constructed by El-Feel (2018). Appropriate statistical methods were applied to both instruments. The findings revealed that the participants demonstrated a relatively high level of cognitive flexibility and a moderate level of mind-wandering. The study concluded with several recommendations and suggestions for future research.

The current research aims to identify the role of electronic psychological counseling in improving self-concept in the digital transformation among a sample of adolescents. The researcher adopted a quasi-experimental approach. The original research sample consisted of (65) students who scored low on the Self-Actualization Scale. (20) students were randomly selected from these students and divided into two groups: (10) a control group and (10) an experimental group. The electronic counseling program was administered to the experimental group only. The researcher adopted the Self-Actualization Scale prepared by Al-Muqaddadi (1996) , as it is compatible with the nature of the sample, who are adolescents in middle school. This scale consisted of (11) eleven dimensions. The electronic guidance program, consisting of (9) nine electronic guidance sessions, was implemented. The researcher used the Mann-Whitney test for small samples to determine the differences between the control and experimental groups, and the Wilcoxon test to determine the differences between the pre- and post-measurements of the experimental group. The researcher found, through the research results, that there were statistically significant differences at a significance level of (0.05) , indicating the validity of the second hypothesis regarding the effectiveness of the electronic guidance program based on (non-directed) electronic guidance in improving the self-esteem of adolescent students in the experimental group. The results of the Mann-Whitney test also indicate the presence of statistically significant differences between the experimental group and the control group in the level of self-actualization after implementing the program. In light of the results, the researcher presented a number of recommendations and proposals.

In recent years, the world has witnessed rapid technological advancements, among which autonomous vehicles stand out. These vehicles rely on artificial intelligence, sensors, and self-driving technologies. While they promise improved safety and reduced accidents, they also pose significant legal challenges—most notably in the area of criminal liability when accidents or crimes occur. This research aims to examine criminal responsibility in the context of autonomous vehicles through a comparative legal lens, analyzing legislative approaches in several legal systems. It highlights existing legal gaps and the difficulty of identifying the criminally responsible party: is it the driver (if present), and this research stems from a fundamental question: who bears criminal responsibility when an autonomous vehicle is involved in a criminal act or traffic incident? Are the traditional foundations of criminal liability—based on the physical and mental elements of crime—sufficient to address such technologically-driven incidents, or is there a need to develop a new legal framework tailored to the nature of autonomous decision-making? the vehicle owner, the software developer, or the manufacturer? The study concludes with a set of recommendations to clarify criminal liability and ensure a balance between innovation and the protection of legal rights.

This study examines the legal protection of AI systems through the framework of undisclosed information in the absence of explicit legislative provisions. AI applications contain valuable algorithms, code, and technical expertise that constitute significant economic assets, making their confidentiality essential to prevent theft, imitation, or misuse. The research argues that AI-related information may qualify for protection as undisclosed information if it meets the conditions of confidentiality, commercial value, and the adoption of reasonable protective measures. Using an analytical and comparative methodology, the study reviews Iraqi and Egyptian laws, as well as international instruments, particularly the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), and analyzes the various scholarly opinions on whether AI should be considered an innovation under IP law. The study also explores alternative mechanisms, including contractual confidentiality obligations and unfair competition claims, and identifies common risks such as electronic counterfeiting and cyber-hacking. The findings indicate that undisclosed information provides an effective and flexible tool for protecting AI systems, particularly when traditional IP rights, such as patents or copyrights, are inadequate. The study concludes by recommending the development of national legislation that explicitly addresses the issue of confidentiality related to artificial intelligence, ensuring a balanced framework that protects intellectual property rights and promotes technological innovation.

The stock market occupies a great importance until it became measured by the level of economic growth of the country, which prompted the laws regulating this market and because of the special nature of dealing in it to restrict trading in securities within it to be limited to authorized brokers, so they took over the brokerage business in the market. In order to achieve the objectives of the laws regulating the stock market, which is to protect investors, brokers cannot be left without oversight to see their work and limit fraud and deception attempts that they may practice with investors due to their lack of experience and know-how. Monitoring brokers' work in the stock market is one of the mechanisms that It gives protection to investors, as it carries out its business by making sure that the broker works according to the investor’s orders and that he prioritizes the investor’s interest over his personal interest, in addition to making sure of the liquidity required for the broker or that he provided backup guarantees, otherwise he will be prevented from carrying out his business in the market.

The research aims to demonstrate the importance of delegating powers in its dimensions. Administrative authorization, Technical authorization, Financial authorization is considered as an independent variable to achieve job satisfaction in its dimensions. Salaries, wages, promotion, Labor relations, working conditions is related to dependent variable for the purpose of testing the hypotheses of the relationship. The researcher used the simple correlation coefficient (Pearson) and the most important results of the research were the existence of a significant correlation between the delegation of powers in its dimensions and job satisfaction and its dimensions. As for the most important recommendations, it was the necessity of delegating powers and giving the chain of references an effective role to achieve the desired goals to reduce waste and avoid errors as much as possible.

The current research aims to analyze the relationship between the application of the fair value standard and the extent of accounting transparency and disclosure within institutions. A descriptive and analytical approach was adopted in this research, where a scientific questionnaire was designed to collect data from a selected sample of academics and accounting professionals at the University of Anbar. Statistical tools were used via SPSS v25 to analyze the data and test the research hypotheses. This approach aimed to accurately and objectively measure the impact of applying fair value on enhancing transparency and accounting disclosure. The research found relative caution regarding the ability of fair value to absolutely reduce accounting bias, reflecting the realistic challenges facing the practical application of this standard, especially under unstable market conditions. Disclosure of accounting policies and the application of transparency standards effectively contribute to building trust between companies and stakeholders, and continuous and comprehensive disclosure supports sound investment decisions. The research recommended strengthening institutions' commitment to applying fair value standards in accordance with international best practices, while ensuring that accounting personnel are trained to use modern financial tools to accurately and efficiently estimate fair value. The need to adopt accurate oversight and review mechanisms to verify the correct application of fair value, especially in business environments experiencing economic fluctuations or market instability that may affect the valuation of assets and liabilities.

The functional area of a university institution is the space in which it interacts dynamically with other institutions, attracting a wide segment of the population and influencing them scientifically, socially, economically, and even culturally. The scope of work of the Anbar College/University of Education for Women extends to include Anbar Governorate and its districts, in addition to a number of other Iraqi governorates, including the capital, Baghdad (due to its geographical proximity). It also includes other governorates, such as Babil and Diyala..

This study addressed the reality of child labor in the city of Hit, identifying the most important factors and causes that led to the recent spread of this phenomenon, and developing appropriate solutions. The study concluded that the percentage of working male children reached 23.3%, while the percentage of working female children decreased to 2% of working children aged nine years or younger. An analysis of social aspects revealed that a large percentage of working children come from broken families, and that the percentage of orphaned children who lost their father reached 25.3%. This highlights the role of social factors in integrating children into the labor market. An analysis of the questionnaire results revealed a general decline in the educational level of the children's parents: 39.3% of fathers were educated or had completed primary school, while 33.3% of mothers were educated. The results also showed that the largest percentage of children who dropped out of school or did not attend school (illiteracy) dropped out of school (49.3%), confirming the close relationship between child labor and educational level.

Urban sprawl is one of the most prominent geographical phenomena facing cities and villages in both developing and developed countries today. It refers to uncontrolled urban expansion at the expense of agricultural lands and surrounding natural resources. This phenomenon is exacerbated by rapid population growth, rural migration, and the absence of sound urban planning. This research examines the concept of urban sprawl and its root causes, including demographic, economic, and social factors, as well as weak planning policies. It also addresses the negative impacts of this phenomenon, such as the degradation of agricultural lands, environmental deterioration, and population imbalances, in addition to transportation and infrastructure problems. The research concludes that combating urban sprawl requires the development of integrated strategic urban development plans based on the protection of agricultural lands, the promotion of rural development, and the adoption of sustainable urban patterns. It also recommends the implementation of land use laws and the adoption of housing policies that limit uncontrolled horizontal expansion. The research aims to highlight the threat of urban sprawl as a geographical, environmental, and economic challenge and calls for the development of practical solutions to achieve a balance between the demands of population growth and the preservation of natural resources.

The research aims to identify the social and economic characteristics of women in the city of Haditha, located in western Iraq, as well as the main challenges they face, and the key ideas and approaches through which these challenges can be addressed to enable women to contribute to community development as an active component of human development. The findings reveal that women experience several social and economic challenges that vary across the city’s neighborhoods, particularly with regard to education and employment. The results also indicate the existence of clear gaps in empowerment indicators: the percentage of women who attained primary and intermediate education in the city’s neighborhoods reached 30.3%, while the proportion of employed women was notably low at 18.3%, despite a relatively high percentage of female graduates holding secondary school and bachelor’s degrees (57.6%).This situation has had a significant impact on income levels, as 46.8% of women earn less than 500,000 Iraqi dinars ($300), which is considered below the standard under current economic conditions. Furthermore, the study revealed a noticeable increase in the percentage of women demanding change (70.5%), reflecting a growing awareness among women of the need to redefine their roles in society. The research emphasizes that women’s empowerment constitutes a vital entry point for the development of local communities, requiring supportive cultural, legislative, and institutional environments that guarantee women’s participation in decision-making positions, and ensure social justice and gender equality as prerequisites for sustainable development. The study also highlights the existence of gender-related developmental gaps, stressing the need to create culturally and institutionally supportive contexts that strengthen women’s roles and enhance their representation in decision-making. The research concludes by underscoring the importance of adopting developmental policies that take into account social justice and gender equality to ensure the sustainability of local development.

The research aims to demonstrate indicators of sustainable urban development in the city of Al- Mehemmedi and to present a model and sustainable urban policies for the city. The research relied on descriptive, functional, and analytical approaches, as well as field studies. The research results concluded that the per capita share of all urban land uses is higher than local planning standards, with the exception of health and recreational uses in the city of Al-Mehemmedi, which recorded a deficit of (-25.9 m2/capita) and (-0.49 m2/capita), respectively. This is due to the city's small population, which reached (5,040) people in 2023 AD, thus falling within the standards of small cities. The best alternative for sustainable urban development for the city of Al-Mehemmedi is the "healthy city," which aims to link health and urban sustainability to transform the existing city into a safe and healthy one. The city also achieves functional efficiency for community services (health, education, and entertainment) according to the spatial standard and population size, with a positive and negative indicator recorded according to the local standards adopted for assessing the efficiency of public services.

Water pollution of surface water in Iraq represents a complex environmental and geographical challenge, due to increasing human, industrial, agricultural, and health pressures on water resources, especially in the absence of effective environmental management policies. This research aims to analyze the reality of pollution in Iraqi surface waters by identifying the types of pollutants (natural, chemical, and biological) and their various sources, and reviewing their impacts on humans, economic activities, and the environment, with a focus on representative spatial models such as the Tigris River and the Shatt al-Arab. The study also seeks to propose realistic and applicable solutions and treatments in light of local capabilities. An inductive and analytical methodology was adopted, based on the study of geographical texts and the analysis of the aquatic environmental reality. This study contributes to developing a more accurate understanding of the nature of surface water pollution and provides an integrated geographical-environmental vision for addressing this escalating phenomenon.

This study explores declarative structures in Ramzi Al-Aqrawi’s poetry collection Kurdistan Forever, based on the classical rhetorical concept of the declarative sentence as a statement that may be true or false. The research aims to identify the structural and semantic features of these constructions, examine their rhetorical and stylistic functions, and highlight their role in expressing national and emotional concerns related to the Kurdish cause. Its significance lies in addressing a rhetorical aspect that has received little scholarly attention and in deepening the link between syntactic structure and poetic meaning. The study employs a rhetorical approach grounded in Ilm al-Ma‘ani alongside a descriptive-analytical method. Findings show that declarative sentences served as tools of certainty, affirmation, irony, and sarcasm, extending beyond mere informative function to convey emotional intensity and layered meaning. Their variation—informative, emphatic, and interrogative-like—provided the poet with flexibility to express political and intellectual stances. Thus, the research reveals the stylistic value of declarative structures in enriching poetic expression and reinforcing the intended message.

This research examines the lexical and stylistic structure in the resistance poetry of the Palestinian poet Mu’in Bseiso, one of the most prominent figures of modern resistance literature. The importance of the study lies in highlighting the role of the word as a parallel weapon to revolutionary action, and as an effective tool for shaping collective awareness and strengthening national identity. The research aims to reveal the nature of the vocabulary employed by Bseiso, who relied on simple and familiar words close to the people’s experience, yet charged them with symbolic meanings that embody the suffering and aspirations of Palestinians. The study adopts the descriptive-analytical method in analyzing texts, the historical method in tracing the emergence of resistance literature, and textual criticism in reading selected poetic samples. The findings show that Bseiso particularly employed rhetorical techniques such as repetition, direct address, and irony, which gave his poems a mobilizing and collective rhythm, transforming them into a living revolutionary discourse that reflects resilience and defiance.

This study investigate how Iraqi EFL learners modify English loanwords, with a particular emphasis on the phenomena of vowel epenthesis—the insertion of additional vowels to break up consonant clusters that violate Iraqi Arabic syllable structure limitations. The study seeks to establish whether there are gender variations in the frequency and length of epenthetic vowels among Iraqi learners. The research involved forty third-year Iraqi EFL students from the University of Anbar (20 males and 20 females). Controlled pronunciation exercises were used to gather data, and PRAAT software was used for acoustic analysis. The results show that both male and female learners regularly use vowel epenthesis, particularly in word-initial positions, to help them pronounce English loanwords. However, significant gender disparities emerged: females had somewhat greater rates of epenthesis in the start and medial places, whereas male had a higher incidence in the word-final position. The findings highlight the strong influence of native phonological patterns on English pronunciation and suggest that gender plays a role in adaptation strategies. These insights have implications for EFL pedagogy, emphasizing the need for targeted pronunciation instruction to address specific challenges faced by Arabic-speaking learners, with attention to sociolinguistic factors such as gender.

Blended learning, as a current trend in teaching in general and in teaching English as a foreign language in particular, plays a crucial role in helping students learn English language. However, EFL students at the university level encountered so many technical and pedagogical challenges when learning English language by using blended learning. Accordingly, the current study investigates the main factors that hinder the success of blending learning in English language learning. More specifically, the study attempts to investigate the sequence of the effectiveness of these main factors in hindering the success of blending learning in English language learning, and to identify the sequence of the effectiveness of these sub factors within each main factor in hindering the success of blending learning in English language learning. The researchers used a quantitative descriptive research design whereby a closed ended questionnaire including twenty items that are distributed among four domains where used to collect data for the current study. A sample consisting of EFL students at their 4th year study was randomly selected from the English Department, College of Education for Humanities, University of Anbar in the academic year 2023-2024. Quantitative data analysis was implemented by using SPSS to analyze the collected data. Findings revealed that there are many factors that hinder the success of blended learning in learning English language. These factors are students’ factors, psychological factors, teachers’ factors and institutional factors, respectively.

The Current article reviews selected studies written about rewriting Myth in Contemporary Poetry as a tool of resistance to oppressive regimes and restoring cultural identity and memory. Employing a qualitative methodology, the review selects studies based on their thematic relevance and prominence in critical discourse. It examines poets from diverse cultural and gendered backgrounds. The article reviews how rewriting mythological narratives, whether Greek, Irish, Indigenous, or Mesopotamian, are reimagined to challenge dominant discourses, reclaim marginalized voices, and reshape original traditions. Existing research on poets such as Louise Glück, Joy Harjo, Ocean Vuong, Margaret Atwood, and others through the lenses of feminist, postcolonial, and Eco critical theories is reviewed. It has been concluded that existing scholarship acknowledges the aesthetic and political power of mythic rewritings, and covers the feminist, postcolonial, and ecological approaches. Yet, there is still a gap in research that explores how AI poetry rewrites and interacts with myths, as this field is increasing in importance. Additionally, there are still gaps in the intersectional analysis and comparative approaches in terms of how rewriting myths across different cultures corresponds to each other. This review identifies these gaps and suggests new directions to explore myth rewriting as a multidimensional literary strategy in contemporary poetry.

There is ample consensus among many English scholars that pronunciation is a fundamental component of communicative competence. This research sought to investigate the relationship between EFL students’ self-efficacy in pronunciation and their emotional engagement in classroom conversations, and to measure their levels of self-efficacy and emotional engagement. A mixed-method cross-sectional design was employed to accomplish the aims of the current study, encompassing both quantitative and qualitative research instruments, particularly a survey complemented by focus-group interviews. Using a purposive sampling technique, 86 Iraqi university EFL students were involved in this research. Quantitatively, the findings showed that the participants (n = 86) reported a score in the upper-middle range, moderately high levels, self-efficacy in pronunciation was (mean = 28.755; SD = 4.437), and emotional engagement in conversation was (mean = 29.034; SD = 4.134). Besides, the quantitative results reported a significant positive correlation between self-efficacy in pronunciation and emotional engagement in class conversations, r (84)= .705, p ˂ .001, suggesting that boosting EFL students’ confidence in pronunciation may foster their positive emotions and willingness to participate in classroom conversations and discussions. Qualitatively, findings uncovered that increased confidence among participants correlates with a heightened interest in engaging in conversations with enjoyment, disregarding the potential negative emotions associated with making pronunciation errors. The findings of this study implied that increasing students’ level of self-efficacy will positively impact their emotional engagement during conversations, suggesting that improving EFL students’ confidence in pronunciation may boost their positive emotions and willingness to engage in classroom conversations and discussions.