Development of a Physics Educational Comic as a Learning Medium for Pressure Materials

Abstract

This study adresses the challenge of low scientific literacy and conceptual understanding in physics among indonesian students, a problem excerbated by limited access to techonolgy in schools like Dumai Junior High School. To counter the reliance on conventional teaching methoda, this research developed an educational comic intregrated with Problem Based Learning (PBL) model for the topic of Pressure. The objectives were to create a valid and practical learning medium and to test its effectiveness in enhancing junior high school students' conceptual understanding. Using the Research and Development (R&D) method with the 4D model, the comic was designed and validated by experts. A one-group pretest-posttest design was implemented with 32 ninth-grade students to measure learning outcomes. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in conceptual understanding, with the mean score increasing from 13.75 to 68.05. The N-Gain analysis indicated high improvement for most test items. Furthermore, the media received high feasibility and practicality ratings from both expert validation and user responses. The study concludes that PBL-based physics comics are a highly effective and practical learning medium that can significantly improve students' conceptual mastery, providing a valuable alternative for classrooms with limited technological resources.