Scaffolded Arabic language mobile educational game

Abstract

Malaysian Muslims have been facing numerous difficulties in learning Arabic language. This problem has inevitably caused them complications in understanding the basic meanings of Al-Quran words and sentences. Presently, there exists a local technique named Al Furqan, based entirely on surahs from the Al-Quran that teaches Malaysian Muslims in classes to learn Arabic easily without much memorizing and writing, and without any homework. However, the element of interaction and engagement prior and after classes is missing. There is a learning gap which can be filled by mobile learning. Thus, this research work aims to design, develop and test a scaffolded mobile educational game called Easy Arabic for learning Arabic using the Al Furqan technique. The research is based on the developmental approach and consists of four major phases which are theoretical study, prototype design, prototype development and prototype testing. The prototype has been successfully developed and installed on Android platform, and has been tested by a sample of 30 Al Furqan learners. Most of them found this prototype significantly helpful in bridging the learning gap of understanding the basic technique of Al Furqan prior and after classes.