The development of Adobe Flash-based virtual laboratory to improve understanding on photosynthesis in junior high school

Abstract

The outbreak of the COVID-19 disease Indonesia, causing various impacts in life, education, especially at the junior high school (SMP), that causes the learning process to be carried out online. Teachers are required to prepare creative, contextual, and fun learning so that students can understand concepts correctly. Learning science, especially photosynthetic material, requires a discovery process through practical activities. Practical activities can be carried out by utilizing visualization elements with the use of a virtual laboratory. Related to the explanation above, we decided to develop a virtual laboratory learning media based on Adobe Flash in the photosynthesis practicum for seventh-grade junior high school students. The development of a virtual laboratory in this study, the methodology was adapted from the multimedia learning development model by Lee and Owens which consists of 5 stages, including assessment/analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. Virtual laboratory validity levels in a learning media based on expert assessment is 88%, it is valid and feasible; in terms of the function as a learning media as well as the correctness and clarity of the concept of the material based on the junior high school science teacher's assessment is 92% so that it can be categorized as very valid and feasible to be implemented. The learning media was tested on a selected subjects of 35 students of junior high school until a percentage of 90% was obtained.