Diving into Ocean Literacy: Android-Based Marine Biodiversity Learning for Enhancing Cognitive Abilities in Inclusive Elementary Schools

Ahmad Satibi, Agus Setiawan, Iwa Kuntadi, Isma Widiaty, Iik Nurulpaik, Ismail Ali

Abstract


Inclusive primary education often faces serious constraints due to the limited availability of differentiated instruction and adaptive learning media tailored to diverse student needs. This study aimed to develop Android-based learning media on ocean literacy and marine biodiversity and to evaluate their effectiveness in improving students’ cognitive abilities in an inclusive elementary school. A Design-Based Research (DBR) approach combined with a quasi-experimental design was employed. The participants were 60 third-grade students at SDN 7 Kota Serang, divided into an experimental class (n = 30) that used the Android-based learning media and a control class (n = 30) that received conventional instruction. Data were collected through pre-test and post-test then analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, N-Gain, and Cohen’s d. Results revealed that following the intervention, the experimental group (M = 66.03) significantly outperformed the control group (M = 45.10; p < 0.001) with a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 1.68). The learning gain of the experimental class was in the medium category (N-Gain = 0.45), whereas that of the control class was in the low category (N-Gain = 0.20). Students also rated the media as highly feasible (M = 4.92 out of 5). In practical terms, these findings suggest that the developed multimedia Android applications provide an effective tool for differentiated instruction in inclusive school under the Merdeka Curriculum

Keywords


Android-Based Learning; Cognitive Aspect; Inclusive Education; Ocean Literacy

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17509/ebj.v8i1.90994

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