Efektivitas Media Genially dengan Pendekatan Kontekstual dan Model Direct Instruction untuk Meningkatkan Kemampuan Koneksi Matematis Murid SMP pada Materi SPLDV

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate whether Genially digital media, combined with contextual teaching and Direct Instruction, could enhance mathematical connection abilities amongst ninth-grade students in a junior secondary school in Indonesia. We recruited 62 pupils from SMP Negeri 12 Jember and assigned them to two groups: an experimental class (31 pupils) using Genially-based learning and a control class (31 pupils) using conventional materials. Both groups underwent identical contextual instruction and Direct Instruction methodology, the only difference lay in the media format. We administered a mathematical connection assessment comprising three items measuring three distinct indicators: linking mathematical concepts, bridging mathematics with other disciplines, and connecting mathematics to everyday life. We collected data via pretest and posttest, then analysed the results using Wilcoxon Signed-rank and Mann-Whitney U tests. The assessment tool demonstrated sound validity and reliability (Cronbach's Alpha = 0.726 pretest; 0.710 posttest). Both classes showed statistically significant gains (p = 0.001). The experimental group achieved a normalised gain of 0.3023 (medium), whilst the control group attained 0.2022 (low). Notably, both groups obtained high gains in real-life contextual connections (0.775 experimental; 0.718 control). These results indicate that Genially media, when integrated with contextual pedagogy and structured Direct Instruction, substantially enhances pupils' mathematical connection abilities. The most pronounced improvements emerge in connecting mathematics to authentic, real-world contexts. The findings suggest teachers should deliberately incorporate interactive digital media alongside contextual and systematic teaching approaches to foster meaningful mathematical connections..