ABSTRACT

Susanto, Joko. 2013. The effectiveness of the use of Media Instructional Materials Simulation to Improve Understanding of Concepts and Student Involvement. Skripsi, Department of Physics, State University of Semarang. Supervisor First: Dr.Sarwi, M.Sc. Supervisor Second: Dra. Upik Nurbaiti, M.Sc.

Keywords: Media Simulation, Light Reflection Concept, Student Engagement

            The ambiguity and complexity of the material presented to the student teacher is one of the causes of less than optimal student learning outcomes. Media simulations are meant to attract the attention of students and facilitate understanding of the concept of light reflection. The purpose of this research is to increase understanding of the concept of student learning and engagement. This research is an experimental research. The research design used was a pretest-posttest control group. The population in this study were students of class VIII A-C SMP N 1 Tambakromo, as a sample of students in class VIII A and VIII B. samples selected by simple random sampling technique. The data are collected  by using documentation, observation, and tests metods. Prior to the reseach, conducted trials to determine the validity of the instrument, reliable, level of difficulty, and distinguishing the instrument. Analysis of the test data using the formula to determine the gain of improving student learning outcomes and t-test to test the hypothesis.

            The Results showed that class using instructional materials with simulated media has increased. Results mean pretest score was 49.84 and the average posttest score was 80.94, an increase of 0,62. Large g factor for the affective aspects of classroom experiments for the presence of 0.80, 0.52 attention, responsibility 0.13, expression 0.45, 0.48 and group cooperation. Results of the t-test with the left side  of the sample obtained t_hitung t_tabel of 3.35 whereas the 5% significance level with 31 df is 1.697 so t_hitung>-t_tabel  which shows the average results of learning using instructional materials with the same media simulations greater or equal to 75 and the result t-test the left side with two samples obtained t_hitung of 0.362, while t_tabel at 5% significance level with 62 df is 1.670 so t_hitung>-t_tabel which shows that the learning outcomes using teaching materials with simulated media is better or equal to the results learn to use the textbooks. It can be concluded that using instructional materials with simulated media can increase learning outcomes and student engagement.