Biocaster : Jurnal Kajian Biologi
Vol. 6 No. 4 (2026): October (In Progress)

Development of Research-Based Macroscopic Pathogenic Fungi Teaching Materials: An Innovation to Improve Biology Learning in High Schools

Masdaleni Nasution (Biology Education Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, State University of Medan, Willem Iskandar Psr V Street, Deli Serdang, North Sumatera 20371, Indonesia)
Idramsa Idramsa (Biology Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, State University of Medan, Willem Iskandar Psr V Street, Deli Serdang, North Sumatera 20371, Indonesia)
Ashar Hasairin (Biology Education Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, State University of Medan, Willem Iskandar Psr V Street, Deli Serdang, North Sumatera 20371, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
09 Oct 2026

Abstract

Biology learning in Kotapinang State Senior High School heavily relies on conventional textbooks that lack local context, creating a gap between curriculum content and the students' plantation environment. While applied mycological studies on local oil palm pathogens exist, their integration into high school biology media remains unexplored. This study aims to bridge this gap by developing an innovative pocket book on macroscopic pathogenic fungi based on authentic local research. Utilizing the Research and Development (R&D) approach with the 4D model (limited to the Develop stage), the prototype underwent rigorous validation by material, learning, and design experts. Practicality was assessed by biology teachers, followed by a small-scale trial involving 15 grade 11 students selected via random sampling. The trial procedure required students to review the pocket book’s readability and layout through guided skimming, after which their user experience was evaluated using a structured practicality questionnaire. Expert validation results ranged from 85.88% to 96.36%, indicating very high validity. The practitioner assessment yielded a highly positive response (100%), while the student evaluation achieved 85.74%, placing it in the very practical category. This product has the potential to contextualize biology learning by integrating local research findings, serving as a suitable way to provide contextual supplementary learning materials in schools based in plantation areas.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

biocaster

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Education Immunology & microbiology

Description

Biocaster : Jurnal Kajian Biologi (B : JKB), focus to bridge the gap between research and practice, providing information, ideas and opinion, in addition to critical examinations of advances in biology research, teaching, and learning. Through the coverage of policy and curriculum developments, the ...