The Effectiveness of E-Collaborative Learning in Developing Digital Thinking Skills among Teachers in the Light of Connectivism Theory

Abstract

The current study aimed to find out the effectiveness of Electronic Collaborative Learning (ECL) in developing digital thinking skills among teachers in the light of connectivism theory. The researchers used the quantitative method (quasi-experimental). The actual number of the study sample consisted of 32 teachers from the digital skills diploma teachers for the primary stage at Taibah University who were registered in the Advanced Digital Applications course (CS552) in the second semester of the academic year 2021–2022. They were distributed randomly into two groups. The researchers used three instruments in the study, the first instrument: testing the concepts of digital thinking skills, the second instrument: observation for digital thinking practices, and the third instrument: a questionnaire was adapted of teachers’ attitudes to digital thinking. This is done by analyzing the sample responses of the parameters on the three study instruments (testing the concepts of digital thinking, the digital thinking skills observation card, and its questionnaire about attitude towards digital thinking). The results showed that there was an effectiveness of electronic collaborative learning in developing digital thinking skills for teachers in the light of communication theory. Based on the results, the researchers recommended activating electronic collaborative learning based on connectivism theory to develop digital thinking skills.