Nanik Astiti

Low learning interest in Natural and Social Sciences (IPAS) remains a concern in elementary schools, including SD Negeri 1 Jatimulyo, South Lampung, where a preliminary survey classified 47 of 77 fifth-grade students (61.0%) as having low interest. This study examined differences in IPAS learning interest between students taught with a joyful learning strategy supported by the game-based learning platform Wordwall and students taught with direct instruction using textbooks and worksheets. This quantitative quasi-experiment used a nonequivalent control group design with all fifth-grade students (saturated sampling; class VA as the experimental group, n = 39, and class VB as the control group, n = 38) across six meetings on ecosystems. Learning interest was measured with a questionnaire of 10 valid items (Cronbach's α = 0.814) and analysed with an independent samples t-test. The mean post-questionnaire score was higher in the experimental class (34.84) than in the control class (26.41), and the difference was statistically significant (t = −13.308, df = 75, p < .001). However, the experimental class also began with a higher mean pretest score (30.42 versus 23.15), so the result should be interpreted with caution. The strategy may serve as an alternative for IPAS instruction, and further studies that control for initial interest are needed. ABSTRAK Minat belajar IPAS peserta didik sekolah dasar masih menjadi persoalan, termasuk di SD Negeri 1 Jatimulyo, Lampung Selatan. tempat survei awal menunjukkan 47 dari 77 peserta didik kelas V (61,0%) berminat belajar rendah. Penelitian ini bertujuan menguji perbedaan minat belajar IPAS antara peserta didik yang belajar dengan strategi joyful learning berbantuan media game-based learning Wordwall dan peserta didik yang belajar dengan direct instruction berbantuan buku dan LKPD. Penelitian kuantitatif ini menggunakan kuasi-eksperimen nonequivalent control group design pada seluruh peserta didik kelas V (sampling jenuh; kelas VA sebagai kelas eksperimen, n = 39, dan kelas VB sebagai kelas kontrol, n = 38) dengan materi ekosistem selama enam pertemuan. Minat belajar diukur dengan angket 10 butir valid (α = 0,814) dan dianalisis dengan uji-t sampel independen. Rerata skor akhir kelas eksperimen (34,84) lebih tinggi daripada kelas kontrol (26,41), dan perbedaan itu signifikan secara statistik (t = −13,308; db = 75; p < 0,001). Namun, kelas eksperimen juga memulai dengan rerata skor awal yang lebih tinggi (30,42 berbanding 23,15), sehingga hasil perlu ditafsirkan secara hati-hati. Strategi ini dapat dipertimbangkan sebagai alternatif pembelajaran IPAS, dan penelitian lanjutan dengan pengendalian skor awal diperlukan.