The Effectiveness of a Cloud-Based Learning Program in Developing Reflective thinking Skills in Islamic Education among Students in UAE

Abstract

It has been observed that students still lack understanding of the Shari'a concepts and principles and how to deal with them. Also, a lot of students deal with the Islamic Education superficially, with the absence of applying critical, reflective and creative thinking, on top of that, if the Islamic Education studies remain mainly dependent on memorization and reciting, it will not leaving tangible effects on students or their lifestyles, which necessitates forming modern educational models that help students develop the skills of reflective thinking of the Islamic Education. The study investigated the impact of a cloud-based learning program in developing reflective thinking skills in Islamic education among UAE students. The sample consisted of 94 students from tenth grade, who were divided into two equal groups: an experimental group that studied the course using a cloud-based learning program and a control group that studied the same course in the usual way. To achieve the study objectives, reflective thinking (pre/post-testing) was applied. The results showed a significant difference in reflective thinking as whole and all its skills, due to the teaching method in favor of the experimental group. The results also showed no significant difference between the mean of the experimental group's students on the post-test due to the gender variable This study contributed in developing an educational program based on cloud-based learning and educational techniques in educational curriculum and Islamic educational teaching methods, and revealed its effectiveness in improving reflective thinking skills. According to these findings, the study recommended the use of cloud-based learning strategies, especially in the future shifting towards the digital curricula.