PENGEMBANGAN ALAT TRANSMISI ENERGI CAHAYA BERBASIS ARDUINO UNTUK MENINGKATKAN PEMAHAMAN KONSEPTUAL SISWA SMP

Light energy transmission is one of the topics in junior high
school science (Physics) that potentially causes
comprehension difficulties due to its abstract nature when
delivered solely through theoretical instruction. A literature
review of Arduino-based studies reveals two gaps: first, some
studies focused only on measuring light intensity without
examining light energy transmission through specific media;
second, studies that measured transmission through
transparent materials remained limited to ideal laboratory
conditions and had not integrated assessments of students'
conceptual understanding. This study aimed to develop a light
energy transmission measuring teaching aid based on the
Arduino ESP32 type, programmed using the Arduino IDE. The
ESP32 was selected due to its advantages over conventional
Arduino, integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, enabling more
accurate sensor readings and real-time data display. The
novelty of this study lies in its focus on light energy
transmission, utilization of ESP32, an LED flashlight as a
contextual light source, testing on nako glass and no medium
conditions, and direct assessment of students' conceptual
understanding within a single integrated design. The method
used in this study is the Research and Development (R&D)
method with the ADDIE model design, conducted at SMP
Negeri 7 Sigi involving 21 eighth-grade students of class VIII
A. Data were analyzed using the N-Gain formula. The results
showed an N-Gain score of 0.58 which falls in the moderate
category, indicating an improvement in students' conceptual
understanding after participating in the learning process by
applying teaching aids in the learning.