Digital transformation of education: The legacy of Arab-Muslim pedagogy in the development of modern learning platforms

Abstract

Digital learning platforms often reflect western pedagogical traditions, potentially marginalizing learners from diverse cultural backgrounds. Consequently, the study examined the reflection of pedagogical principles of Arab-Muslim in modern digital learning platforms. In this research, a qualitative content analysis approach was employed, analyzing four digital learning platforms: Noon Academy, Bayyinah TV, Edraak, and Coursera. The findings revealed that Arab-Muslim pedagogical principles, including ijtihad (critical thinking), shura (collaborative learning), and adab (etiquette) are essential in modern Information Technology-based education. Notably, Arab-world platforms emphasized adab and moral engagement, highlighting the importance of cultural context in digital learning platform design. The findings of this study have implications for Edtech development, underscoring the need for culturally responsive design and development. The findings suggest that Arab-Muslim pedagogy provides valuable models for ethical and learner-centered digital education.