Development of Canva-Based Science E-Comics to Enhance Critical Thinking Skills and Learning Motivation Among Fifth-Grade Elementary School Students

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a Canva-based Science E-Comic product on the Human Digestive System and to describe its validity, practicality, and effectiveness in improving the critical thinking skills and learning motivation of fifth-grade elementary school students. This study employed a Research and Development (R&D) approach using the ADDIE model. Product testing utilized a Quasi-Experimental design with a Non-equivalent Control Group Design, involving fifth-grade students at SD Islam Al Azhar 34 Makassar as the control and experimental classes. Validity data were analyzed using the Gregory Content Validity Coefficient, practicality data were analyzed using the percentage of questionnaire response scores, and effectiveness data were analyzed using N-Gain and an independent-samples t-test. The results showed that: (1) a Canva-based Science E-Comic entitled “Misi Pencernaan: Rahasia Tubuh Kita” was developed by integrating critical thinking elements into the storyline and the syntax of Problem-Based Learning; (2) the E-Comic was declared valid, with a Gregory CV coefficient of 1.00 (Very Good category); (3) the E-Comic was declared practical, with a teacher response percentage of 79.40% (Practical), teacher implementation observation of 90.92% (Very Practical), and student responses of 83.66% (Practical); and (4) the E-Comic was effective in improving students’ critical thinking skills (N-Gain of 0.30 in the experimental class, categorized as Moderate, and -0.19 in the control class, categorized as Low) and learning motivation (N-Gain of 0.53 in the experimental class, categorized as Moderate, and 0.22 in the control class, categorized as Low), with statistically significant differences in posttest scores between the classes (p < 0.001) and very large effect sizes for both variables. Therefore, the Canva-based Science E-Comic is suitable for use as an alternative learning medium to improve the critical thinking skills and learning motivation of fifth-grade elementary school students