Journal of Innovation and Research in Primary Education
Vol. 5 No. 2 (2026)

Problem-Based Learning Assisted by Jellyfish Game Media to Improve Student Learning Activity in Natural and Social Sciences

Haswin Haswin (Universitas Tadulako)
Sinta Satria Dewi Pendit (Universitas Tadulako)
Sisriawan Lapasere (Universitas Tadulako)
Abdul Rahman (Universitas Tadulako)
Putriwanti (Universitas Tadulako)



Article Info

Publish Date
06 Apr 2026

Abstract

Low student learning activity in elementary science education remains a persistent challenge, particularly within Indonesia's newly implemented Independent Curriculum. This study addressed this problem by integrating Problem-Based Learning (PBL) with Jellyfish game media to improve student learning activity in Natural and Social Sciences (IPAS).  A Classroom Action Research (CAR) design following Kemmis and McTaggart's cyclical model—comprising planning, acting, observing, and reflecting—was conducted across two cycles with 24 fourth-grade students at SD Inpres Tipo, Palu City. Data were collected through validated observation sheets (inter-rater κ = 0.82), tests, interviews, and documentation, and analyzed using quantitative scoring and Miles et al.'s qualitative framework. Mean learning activity scores increased progressively from 45.41 (low) in the pre-cycle to 64.06 (moderate) in Cycle I and 86.77 (very good) in Cycle II, representing a total gain of 41.36 points. The most pronounced gain was observed in group discussion involvement. These findings demonstrate that game-assisted PBL effectively transforms passive student behavior into active, collaborative engagement, consistent with constructivist theory and the ICAP framework. The Jellyfish game functioned as a structural scaffold that redistributed participatory roles within learning groups, a novel contribution to game-based learning literature.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jirpe

Publisher

Subject

Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Mathematics Other

Description

Journal of Innovation and Research in Primary Education (JIRPE) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal that publishes original research and review articles primarily but limited to the area of elementary school education. It brings together academics and researchers from different countries who ...