Development of Augmented Reality (AR) Instructional Media Based on Problem-Based Learning (PBL) for the Solar System Topic for Ninth-Grade Students at SMP Negeri 2 in Ternate City

This study aims to describe the development stages of a Problem-Based Learning (PBL)-based Augmented Reality (AR) learning media on the topic of the Solar System, as well as to evaluate its feasibility, practicality, and effectiveness in improving concept understanding and critical thinking skills among 9th-grade students at SMP Negeri 2 Kota Ternate. The research employed a Research and Development (R&D) method using Lee & Owens' procedural model. The results indicated high expert validation scores: material expert at 95.59% (highly valid), media expert at 96.32% (highly valid), and learning practitioner at 98.33% (highly valid). The practicality test via student response questionnaires yielded 97% (highly practical). Furthermore, the effectiveness test revealed a highly significant difference in post-test results between the experimental and control groups (F = 21.922, Siq < 0.001). The average cognitive gain in the experimental group reached 33.44 points, increasing from 55.13% to 88.57%. Based on these findings, the PBL-based AR learning media is declared highly feasible, practical, and effective in enhancing students' critical thinking skills and concept understanding in learning the Solar System.