<![CDATA[Innovative and engaging instructional media are increasingly required to enhance students’ conceptual understanding and promote learner autonomy in elementary education. Within mathematics learning, game-based media such as puzzles have been suggested as effective tools to support constructivist learning processes. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of puzzle-based learning media in improving conceptual understanding and learning independence among fifth-grade students at Petapan 2 Primary School. A quantitative research design was employed using a saturation sampling technique involving 60 students from classes V-C and V-D. Data were collected through a mathematical understanding test and a learning independence questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS version 21 for Windows, including validity, reliability, normality, and homogeneity tests. Hypothesis testing was performed using an independent samples t-test. The results indicate a significant difference between the experimental group using puzzle media and the control group using conventional media. The significance values for conceptual understanding and learning independence were both 0.000 (< 0.05). These findings demonstrate that puzzle-based media significantly enhance students’ mathematical understanding and foster independent learning. Therefore, the integration of constructivist, game-based learning media is recommended to strengthen both cognitive and affective outcomes in elementary mathematics education]]>
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