The Development of 2D Android Learning Application on the Topic of Light Properties for Elementary School Science Subject

Abstract

The nature of light is one of the core topics in the science subject of the fourth year (Grade 4) curriculum in schools. However, it is acknowledged that some students find it difficult to grasp the content of this topic, not because it is inherently challenging, but because each student has their own unique learning style. Conventional teaching methods typically involve instructing a group of students simultaneously, which leads to a few students struggling to understand the concept of light and consequently becoming less motivated to learn. To address this issue, researchers have developed an Android application for the topic of light properties in the fourth-year science curriculum, as an alternative approach to help students enhance their comprehension through the integration of multimedia elements within the application. The development of this Android application is guided by constructivist and cognitive learning theories. The researchers also utilize the ADDIE model as a framework for the overall development of the Android application. Once the Android application is developed, its functionality is assessed using a questionnaire distributed to three expert evaluators. These experts evaluate three instructional designs implemented within the application, namely content design, interface design, and interaction design. The findings of the study are analyzed, and positive feedback is obtained from the experts, indicating that the use of this Android application for the topic of light properties can enhance students' understanding and overall achieve the objectives of application development.