e-Sirah: learning about Sirah via 2D web-based application / Amir Farhan Azlan, Zainal Fikri Zamzuri and Syamsul Ariffin Yahaya

This investigation explores the pedagogical challenges and opportunities in conveying the prophetic biography, or 'Sirah', within the context of Islamic studies. Traditionally, the Sirah constitutes an essential element of both formal and informal religious discourse, transmitted through diverse narratives that maintain the essence of the Prophet's life story across various platforms. This continuity, while preserving the core message, presents difficulties in engaging the modern, technologically adept younger generation within the primary education sector. The conventional didactic methods, often characterized by a "talk and chalk" approach, fail to meet the expectations of these learners, whose anticipations are not aligned with the outdated educational resources currently in use. In response to this educational gap, the project introduces 'e-Sirah': a web application tailored for the Sirah curriculum, developed utilizing the Rapid Application Development methodology. The application's effectiveness was assessed through the System Usability Scale, involving 34 primary education students, yielding a favourable usability rating of 82%. Further evaluation revealed the application's success in enhancing students' interest in the Sirah, with participants reporting engaging and informative learning experiences. The findings suggest that the 'e-Sirah' web application holds potential for broader application in primary education settings, offering a promising tool for enriching students' understanding of the Prophet's biography.