Devit Setia Meylindo, A.F. Suryaning Ati MZ, Rizka Novi Irmaningrum

Smart Apps Creator Application Learning Media as an Optimization of Digital Learning in Elementary Schools

Introduction

Smart apps creator application learning media as an optimization of digital learning in elementary schools. Develop and validate Smart Apps Creator learning media for 5th-grade elementary students on the Human Digestive System, enhancing critical thinking skills in IPAS. Highly feasible and practical.

Abstract

Technological advancements in the Society 5.0 era encourage the education sector to create creative, interactive, and student-centered learning media. In the Elementary Science and Social Studies (IPAS) subject at the primary school level, one common issue is the low level of students’ critical thinking skills, largely due to the continued use of conventional teaching methods. This study aims to develop a Smart Apps Creator-based learning media for the Human Digestive System topic for 5th-grade elementary school students, with a primary focus on enhancing critical thinking skills. This research is a Research and Development study that applies the ADDIE model, which consists of the stages: Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate. The research subjects were 5th-grade students at SD Muhammadiyah Babat. Research instruments included expert validation sheets, student response questionnaires, and student activity questionnaires. The results showed that the media was categorized as highly valid, with expert validation scores of 93.3% from material experts, 90% from media experts, and 91.7% from design experts. The practicality of the media was also very high, with student response scores above 91%. Therefore, the Smart Apps Creator-based learning media is considered feasible and recommended as a supportive tool for IPAS learning to strengthen students’ critical thinking skills.

Review

This paper addresses a highly relevant and timely topic concerning the integration of digital tools to enhance elementary education, particularly within the context of the Society 5.0 era. The authors aim to develop and validate a Smart Apps Creator-based learning media for 5th-grade IPAS, specifically targeting the improvement of students' critical thinking skills. The chosen Research and Development methodology, employing the structured ADDIE model, provides a systematic framework for the media's creation and evaluation, which is commendable. This approach demonstrates a commitment to designing a well-thought-out and evidence-based educational resource. The reported findings demonstrate strong evidence for the media's validity and practicality. Expert validation scores across material, media, and design aspects consistently rated the application as 'highly valid,' suggesting a robust instructional design, technical soundness, and aesthetic appeal. Furthermore, the very high student response scores indicate excellent user acceptance and engagement, which are crucial for the successful adoption of any new learning tool in the classroom. These results collectively support the conclusion that the Smart Apps Creator-based learning media is indeed feasible and recommended as a supportive tool for IPAS learning, thereby contributing to the optimization of digital learning in elementary schools. While the abstract effectively establishes the media's validity and practicality, a key limitation lies in the absence of data regarding the actual impact on students' critical thinking skills. The study's primary focus, as stated, is "enhancing critical thinking skills," yet the presented results are confined to expert validation and student practicality, not the measurement or demonstration of such enhancement. Future iterations or the full paper should detail how critical thinking was assessed and provide empirical evidence to substantiate the claim of improved critical thinking. Additionally, insights into the specific features of the app that are theorized or empirically shown to foster critical thinking would significantly strengthen the paper's contribution beyond merely developing a practical tool.

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