Arab Educational Information Network

The current research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of different styles and locations of recreational breaks in the design of digital content in e-learning environments over the web to develop critical and motivational thinking towards learning for university students. The study sample consisted of eighty (80) students among the students of the Faculty of Education in Taibah University in Al-Madinah. The sample students were divided into four experimental groups to study the proposed unit for research according to four experimental treatments in light of the independent variables; namely: pattern and location of recreational breaks used in the digital content design of the proposed research unit. The researcher prepared and controlled the tools of research represented in the test of critical thinking and the measure of motivation. He also built, designed and produced the proposed unit. The researcher used the analysis of binary variance to process the research data. In general, the research confirmed the effectiveness of the style and location of recreational breaks in developing critical thinking and motivation towards learning. There were differences between the levels of independent variables when considering their interaction; for the two research variables. The research made some recommendations, including the need to search for new methods and forms to provide digital educational content to students who study through programs, applications and educational techniques. It was also recommended to develop modern design models and methods for the preparation, design and production of digital educational content in view of the characteristics of the students in the educational stage to which this digital educational content will be presented, as well as in view of the presentation and presentation requirements and the nature of specialization in the field of electronic digital technologies. (Published abstract)