CRITICAL JOURNAL
“Developing mathematics edutainment media for
Android based on students’ understanding and
interest: a teachers’ review”
CREATED BY:
NAME: CHELSEA MAYTHREE (4163312003)
CRISTY INDRYANY BR.S (4163312
TIRA CRISTY PANE(41633120
BILINGUAL MATHEMATIC EDUCATION
MATHEMATIC DAPARTEMENT
FACULTY OF MATHEMATIC AND SCIENCE
STATE UNIVERSITY OF MEDAN
2018
FOREWORD
Praise the presence of God Almighty for all His mercy so that this critical journal can
be arranged to completion. Do not forget we also say a lot of thanks for the help of those who
have contributed by contributing both material and thoughts.
And we hope that this critical journal can increase the knowledge and experience of the
readers. In the future, it can improve the form and add critical journal content to be better.
Due to the limitations of our knowledge and experience, we believe there are still many
shortcomings in this critical journal, therefore we are looking forward to constructive
suggestions and criticism from readers for the perfection of this critical journal.
CHAPTER 1
INTODUCTION
Based on the data of Trends in International and Science Study (TIMSS) 2011,
Indonesia was in the 40th rank out of 59 participating countries with mathematics’ average
score 386 compared to 500, which is the global mathematics average score. These results
indicate that the mathematics skills of Indonesian children are still far below the average
of international score. One of the methods to improve students' mathematical skills is using
instructional media that can facilitate student learning. Instructional media plays important
roles in teaching and learning mathematics. They help students visualize mathematical
objects especially the abstract ones In the digital era where students have already been
familiar with technology, it is recommended to employ technology in the classroom in order
to increase students’ interest and engagement to the material they learn. One of the ways to
infuse technology in the classroom is mathematics software or game enhanced by technology.
This paper discusses the results of an R&D study and focuses on the steps of
development and the validity of the interactive media from teachers’ point of view. The R&D
study aimed to develop an instructional aid for smartphone especially Android. Android is
selected because its operating system is widely used in Indonesia The number of android-
based instructional aid is still limited. Juraman states that many Indonesians use Android to
access information or entertainment (playing games) and to have selfactualization. Therefore,
it is important to develop an easily accessible learning media for Android which is based on
edutainment. According to Yosuf, et al. “edutainment” is a combination of the word
“education” and “entertainment”. Therefore, edutainment refers to using entertainment in
conjunction with education . This learning media has elements of education and
entertainment. The existence of entertainment element is intended to create a fun learning
atmosphere without ruling out materials that must be studied by students. There are many
types of edutainment, such as game, video, and film. This paper, therefore, reported the
results of developing game as an instructional media. Game is one of effective media in the
classroom that can affect motivation , can provide greater learning opportunities compared to
the traditional approach of teaching.
CHAPTER II
DISCUSSION
A. Methods
There are three instructional aids, in the form of game, which were developed in this
study. The instructional aids were developed by using the ADDIE model i.e. Analyze,
Design, Develop, Implement and Evaluate. This method was applied as it provides simple yet
clear steps in developing the instructional aids:
a. Analyse. This step focuses on analyzing curriculum (main competencies, standard
competencies, and teaching material), students’ character, and situation. It also includes
instructional design analysis aimed to determine the learning objectives and technical
analysis aimed to determine media specification
b. Design. This step involves designing the instrument for evaluating the media that consists
of validity form for media experts, teachers and students. It also includes determining actor,
and designing interface, flowchart and storyboard as a guidance in developing media.
c. Develop. This step comprises coding program, developing interface, developing actor and
content.
d. Implement. In this step, the media was uploaded to Playstore in order to get feedback from
the users.
e. Evaluate. Feedbacks from the users (teachers and students) and the expert were followed
up in this stage.
B. Result and Discussion
The instructional media developed in this study consisted of three games. Each game
has different features and teaching approach, which was aimed to provide a variety of choices
for the users – teachers and students so that they can choose the appropriate one. The first
game employs scientific approach, therefore the game is structured based on five steps of
scientific approach namely: observing, questioning, experimenting, associating, and
communicating. illustrates the interface of associating steps in the game developed based on
this approach.
Meanwhile, the second game was developed based on Van Hiele Theory for learning
geometry. According to this theory, there are five levels of thinking: visualization, analysis,
abstraction, deduction and rigor. Therefore, second game were developed using these five
levels of thinking. The example of game’s interface in the visualization step is illustrated.
In general, the reviewers believe that the three media were very good. This result is in
line with a previous study about students’ review on these three media which reported that
the games were interesting and could help them in acquiring mathematical concepts. Apart
from the good results, according to teachers, these media still need to be improved. One of
the teachers’ concerns was the appropriateness of the context in the game with the age of the
users (students). For example, one problem in the game asks the users to pretend to ride a
motorcycle but the users in fact have not got a license to ride. Therefore, according to
teachers, this situation should be adjusted with the users’ real life. Another suggestion is
related to the availability of summary and rewards in each level of the game. Both are
suggested to be available in the end of every level of the game as a reinforcement for
the users.
Regarding to the contribution for students’ interest and learning outcomes, the teachers
believe that the game has positive impacts on students’ interest in learning mathematics as it
is very interactive and fun yet easy to operate.
The use of rewards would also increase user’s curiosity and motivation. As suggested
by previous empirical studies, motivation is part of interest that influence learning outcome.
Therefore, it is believed that the game developed in this study can affected on students’
interest and learning achievement. Moreover, the review from the teachers also pointed out
that learning activities and mathematics problems in the games were presented in very
appropriate and interesting ways. According to the empirical studies, students who are
interested in their learning activities are likely to report high competence or high achievement
levels .
CHAPTER III
CLOSING
A. CONCLUSION
The game developed in this study was considered by the teachers to be a very good
game in terms of instructional design, audio visual communication, and operational design. It
is also convinced that it would be an interesting game that could have impact on students’
interest and achievement in learning mathematics. A previous study on students’ reviews on
these media were also reported similar findings. Recommendations for further studies include
the need to implement the game to the users who are students of Junior High School in order
to get the empirical data of the effectiveness of the game for the users’ interest and their
learning outcomes. There is also a need to examine the effectiveness of the game in regard to
other cognitive or affective aspects in learning, such as student’s metacognitive skills and
self-regulated learning.
B. SUGESSTION
In the advantages of the journals to be more maintained and strengthened again, and
about the shortcomings of journals to be more researched again to achieve maximum results.
ADVANTAGES AND WEAKNESS:
WEAKNESS:
1. Irregular writing space.
2. Not explained the application installation process.
3. There is no implementation in the programming language used.
ADVANTAGES:
1. The procedure for writing and abstract content is good because the author can provide a
comprehensive picture of research activities on the use of android media in learning.
2. References used by researchers are good enough. Plus researchers in making items on their
research instruments refer to the theory in a book. All library citations are in accordance with
the bibliography.
3. In writing the typeface used by the same, the use of numbering systems is also well
arranged.