Development of Animation-Assisted Electronic Student Worksheets (e-LKPD) Using the Spiral Model to Enhance Critical Thinking Skills and Learning Outcomes in Elementary Science

This research aims to examine the validity, practicality, and effectiveness of animation-assisted electronic student worksheets (e-LKPD) based on the spiral learning model to enhance critical thinking skills and cognitive learning outcomes of fifth-grade elementary school students on the topic of Earth’s plate tectonics. This study is a Research and Development (R&D) project employing the 4D model (Define, Design, Develop, Disseminate). The product effectiveness trial utilized a quasi-experimental approach with a Non-Equivalent Groups Design conducted across three elementary schools (SDN Garahan 02, SDN Sidomulyo 04, and SDN Sidomulyo 05). Data collection instruments included expert validation sheets, practitioner and student response questionnaires, observation sheets, and cognitive-critical thinking tests (pretest-posttest). The results of the expert validation assessment indicated that the product fell into the highly valid category with an average score of 3.71. The practicality assessment, based on teacher and student responses, met the highly practical criteria (≥ 76%), supported by an instant feedback feature. The Normalized Gain (N-Gain) test results demonstrated a significant increase in both cognitive learning outcomes ($g = 0.78$) and critical thinking skills ($g = 0.78$), both falling into the high qualification. Further analysis using the Paired Samples T-Test confirmed the significance of changes in theoretical reasoning across all implementation classes ($p < 0.001$). Consequently, the animation-assisted e-LKPD based on the spiral model is feasible, practical, and effective for minimizing misconceptions regarding abstract science topics in elementary schools.