Effect of PhET-Assisted Problem-Based Learning on Students’ Conceptual Understanding of Motion Dynamics

Muhammad Raihan; Desy Hanisa Putri; Bodi Gunawan

doi:10.51276/edu.v7i3.1779

Authors

Muhammad Raihan Universitas Bengkulu
Desy Hanisa Putri Universitas Bengkulu
Bodi Gunawan Universitas Bengkulu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51276/edu.v7i3.1779

Keywords:

Conceptual Understanding , Motion Dynamics , PhET Simulation , Problem-Based Learning , SOLO Taxonomy

Abstract

This quasi-experimental study examined the effect of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) assisted by PhET simulations on students' conceptual understanding of motion dynamics. The participants were 64 eleventh-grade science students at SMA Negeri 6 Bengkulu, divided into an experimental class receiving PhET-assisted PBL and a control class receiving PBL only. Students' conceptual understanding was assessed using essay tests based on the SOLO Taxonomy. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Mann–Whitney U test, normalized gain (N-Gain), and rank-biserial effect size. The results revealed no statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups (p = 0.204). Nevertheless, the experimental group achieved a moderate N-Gain score (0.313) and a small effect size (r = 0.158), indicating that PhET-assisted PBL produced moderate learning improvement without providing a significant advantage over PBL alone. These findings suggest that PBL remains the primary contributor to conceptual understanding, while PhET serves as a complementary visualization tool that supports learning consistency.

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Author Biographies

Muhammad Raihan, Universitas Bengkulu

He was born in Kepahiang on 22 January 2004. He is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in the Physics Education Study Program at the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Bengkulu.

Desy Hanisa Putri, Universitas Bengkulu

She is a lecturer and Head of the Physics Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, University of Bengkulu. Her research interests include research methodology, qualitative research, physics education, and the development of physics learning media.

Bodi Gunawan, Universitas Bengkulu

He is a lecturer in the Physics Education Study Program at Universitas Bengkulu. His research focuses on instrumentation, materials physics, renewable energy, computational physics, and physics education. He is actively involved in research, community engagement, and academic quality assurance.

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