Digital Comics Enhance Reading Comprehension and Self-Efficacy in Elementary School Students

In a research study from Semarang, Indonesia, investigators explored the effectiveness of digital comics as an instructional medium to improve reading comprehension and self-efficacy among fifth-grade elementary school students. The research aimed to provide an engaging, accessible, and pedagogically sound media format that aligns with student learning characteristics and enhances their academic engagement. The study adopted a Research and Development (R&D) approach using the ADDIE model and collected data through qualitative and quantitative methods, including interviews, classroom observations, student questionnaires, and pretest-posttest instruments. The developed digital comics were validated by material experts, media experts, and classroom practitioners.

Key Takeaways:

• The research investigated the development of digital comics as an innovative instructional medium to improve reading comprehension and self-efficacy among fifth-grade elementary school students in Indonesia.
• The study adopted a Research and Development (R&D) approach using the ADDIE model, consisting of five stages: Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation.
• The research collected data through qualitative and quantitative methods, including interviews, classroom observations, student questionnaires, and pretest-posttest instruments.
• The developed digital comics were designed using Canva and distributed interactively through Heyzine, incorporating structured narrative elements and visual appeal to support literacy development.
• The validation results revealed a high feasibility score of 91.59%, indicating a high potential for effective use in educational settings.
• The effectiveness test yielded an average n-gain score of 0.6793, signifying a moderate yet meaningful improvement in students' reading comprehension.
• Students' self-efficacy scores reached 75.82%, placing them in the 'good' category, indicating a significant improvement in their confidence and motivation.
• The research implies that digital comics can serve as a valuable pedagogical tool in elementary education, suggesting promising future implementations, including broader accessibility and integration into other subjects.

Statistics:

• 91.59%: Feasibility score of the developed digital comics
• 0.6793: Average n-gain score indicating a moderate yet meaningful improvement in reading comprehension
• 75.82%: Students' self-efficacy scores, placing them in the 'good' category

Sources:

• Development of digital comics to improve reading comprehension and self-efficacy of grade V students. JINOP (Jurnal Inovasi Pembelajaran), 2025,11(1).
• Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (Publisher for JINOP (Jurnal Inovasi Pembelajaran)) - http://ejournal.umm.ac.id/index.php/jinop
• https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.22219/jinop.v11i1.38194 (Free version of the journal article)