PENGEMBANGAN VIRTUAL LAB BERBASIS ANDROID PADA MATERI ASAM BASA UNTUK SISWA SMA

Abstract

The problems related to laboratory activities could be a reason why students could not understand chemistry well. Basically, by doing confirmative lab activities in the real laboratory, students could not be creative since they do not have more chances to explore the experiments. In addition, lab activities in the real laboratory could not support conceptual understanding of students on sub-microscopic level which is one of the requirements in understanding chemistry topics such as acid base. Therefore, this research aims to develop an android-based virtual labs as learning resource to support senior high school students during their study on the topic of acid base. The virtual lab was developed by adapting the model of developing learning multimedia by Lee and Owens (2004). The feasibility level of the virtual lab developed in term of its function as a learning media based on the results of assessment by expert and users is 85.44%; while in terms of concepts accuration is 84.67%, so the virtual lab developed can be categorized as very feasible to be implemented as learning media. The virtual lab developed was tested to 12 of senior high school students; and afterward they are required to give quantitative perceptions toward the virtual lab developed using questionnaire. The results of quantitative perceptions is 89.27%: so this also supports the feasibility level of virtual lab as a learning media. The excellences of virtual lab developed include: (1) equipped with pretest to support students’ readiness before lab activities and posttest to measure the students’ achievement after using the product; (2) equipped with visualization of particulate of matter that supports conceptual understanding of students on sub-microscopic levels; (3) can be used linearly or nonlinearly by selecting the desired menu; (4) the efficiency of tools, materials and time even though the simulations are carried out as often as students want. Keywords: