Collaborative Practicum with Experimental Demonstration for Teaching the Concept of Production of Bioplastic to Vocational Students to Support the Sustainability Development Goals

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find out collaborative practicum using conventional learning methods and experimental demonstrations to teach the concept of bioplastics fabrication to vocational students. Understanding bioplastics is good to possess the young generation, especially facing Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). The subjects of this study were 40 students of class XI in vocational schools which were divided into two classes, namely the control and the experimental classes. Treatment given to experimental class was by providing learning with an experimental demonstration using learning videos, while control class learning was done using conventional teaching method. Learning outcomes of both classes were evaluated from the pre-test and post-test scores as well as the N-Gain value. The data analysis technique used was the analytical technique of descriptive data, including the mean and standard deviation. The analysis requirement test was carried out using a normality test. To test the hypothesis of differences in student learning outcomes, a non-parametric test was used. Based on descriptive analysis, learning outcomes with the experimental demonstration method are more effective than that with the conventional method. This result is evidenced by the experimental class's N-Gain value which is greater than those of the control class. The results were also confirmed by statistical analysis using the Mann-Whitney non-parametric test, showing a significant difference in learning outcomes between the control and the experimental classes. In short, the results of the study showed an increase in achievement and significant student learning using the experimental demonstration method. The experimental demonstrations using available materials make students more interactive because students want to try the process by themselves. Using the experimental demonstration method, students are expected to be able to find, prepare, and carry out the learning process. Thus, students get good learning outcomes. This study is expected to have an impact on the further teaching of experimental demonstration research which is believed to provide good learning success for students.