Pemanfaatan Virtual Laboratory PhET dalam Pengembangan Lembar Kerja Praktikum guna Meningkatkan Pemahaman Konsep Gelombang Bunyi

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the feasibility of the practicum worksheet developed through the utilization of the Virtual Laboratory PhET based on the assessment of media and material experts, and to determine the improvement in understanding of the concept of sound waves. Based on classroom observations, students’ conceptual understanding of sound waves remains relatively low, as indicated by average diagnostic test scores that have not yet reached the expected mastery standard. In addition, students are not yet able to relate mathematical representations to physical phenomena associated with sound waves in everyday life. Therefore, the practicum worksheet is designed to support the concept exploration process through interactive simulations that allow students to observe and visualize the sound wave phenomenon more concretely. This study uses a 4-D development model that includes the Define, Design, Develop, and Disseminate stages. The research instruments used are validation sheets to assess the feasibility of the practicum worksheet by media and material experts, and a concept understanding test to measure the improvement in students' conceptual understanding. The product feasibility analysis was carried out using a Likert scale, while the improvement in conceptual understanding was analyzed using n-gain calculations. The results of the study indicate that the practicum worksheet utilizing the Virtual Laboratory PhET on the sound wave material is declared feasible for use in learning. The average assessment score from media experts was 3.505 and from material experts was 3.53, which is considered very good. Furthermore, the conceptual understanding test results showed a significant improvement, with an average n-gain score of 0.70, which is considered high. These findings indicate that the use of the PhET Virtual Laboratory in developing practical worksheets is effective in improving understanding of the concept of sound waves.