THE EFFECT OF DIGITAL EDUCATIONAL GAMES ON MOTIVATION TOWARDS E-LEARNING AND LIFE SKILLS AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ARAB SOCIETIES

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of employing digital educational games (DEGs) on motivation towards e-learning, and life skills of primary school students in more than one Arab context: in Palestine, Jordan, Bahrain, and United Arab Emirates. It also investigates the need to employ these games in the educational process, the challenges which faced the employment of these games, and ways to develop their employment in the learning process. This qualitative study used a multiple case study by conducting open, semi-structured interviews on a sample of four teachers and four parents of two from each country to reveal in-depth views to clarify the mechanism of employing these digital educational games. Data were subjected to multiple case study analysis using Ary et al. (2010) model. The results show that DEGs were a contributing factor in increasing students' motivation towards e-learning and enabling them to acquire the life skills necessary to live in this era when adding these games to the elements of fun and excitement to learn in a collaborative environment. They provide students with communication, problem-solving, decision-making and technological skills. The results also show the challenges that face employing them in the e-learning process, represented in material ones, such as the weakness of the technological infrastructure, and educational ones, such as the weakness of teachers in dealing with DEGs and choosing the appropriate game for the age category and subject. The study recommends adopting the employment of DEGs officially in public education institutions, and providing material and technical support to teachers, students and parents‎.