The Implementation of PhET Simulation Media  to Improve The Understanding of Physics Concepts

Irmayani NS; Usman Usman; Ahmad Dahlan; Trisno Setiawan

doi:10.20527/jipf.v9i3.16573

The Implementation of PhET Simulation Media to Improve The Understanding of Physics Concepts

Irmayani NS, Usman Usman, Ahmad Dahlan, Trisno Setiawan

Abstract

Physics material is often considered a difficult subject because it is abstract, while the limitations of laboratory facilities are also an obstacle in the learning process. In addition, conventional learning media that are still predominantly used make students less motivated and less likely to explore concepts independently. This research aims to determine the improvement in students' conceptual understanding of physics after the implementation of PhET simulation media on the topic of sound waves. The research employed a quantitative approach with a pre-experimental design, specifically a one-group pretest-posttest design. The research subjects were 30 students from class XI-2 of SMAN 20 Gowa. The instrument used was an essay test administered before and after the treatment to measure the level of students’ conceptual understanding. The data were analyzed descriptively to observe the changes in pretest and posttest scores, and the N-Gain formula was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the learning process. The results showed an increase in the average score from 6.9 (pretest) to 20.17 (posttest). The average N Gain score was 0.74, which falls into the high category. These findings indicate that the use of PhET simulation media contributes positively to improving students’ conceptual understanding in physics. Therefore, it can be considered an effective and interactive learning alternative, particularly for abstract topics such as sound waves. The implications of this research confirm that the use of PhET simulation media is not only effective in improving students' understanding of physics concepts but can also be integrated more widely as an alternative learning strategy to overcome the limitations of practicum facilities in schools.

Keywords

Conceptual understanding; PhET simulation; Physics learning; Sound waves

Full Text:

PDF

References

Abdi, M. U., Mustafa, M., & Pada, A. U. T. (2021). Penerapan pendekatan stem berbasis simulasi phet untuk meningkatkan pemahaman konsep fisika peserta didik. Jurnal IPA & Pembelajaran IPA, 5(3), 209–218. https://doi.org/10.24815/jipi.v5i3.21774

Agustina, I., Wiyono, K., Marlina, L., & Rahman, N. F. A. (2025). Pengaruh simulasi phet terhadap pemahaman siswa mengenai konsep gelombang bunyi di sekolah menengah. Jurnal Education and Development, 13(1), 63–65.

Agustini, S., Arsyad, M., & Yani, A. (2018). Penggunaan media pembelajaran virtual lab terhadap pemahaman konsep fisika pada peserta didik sma negeri 1 marioriwawo. Prosiding Seminar Nasional Fisika Universitas Negeri Makassar, 1–3. https://ojs.unm.ac.id/semnasfisika/article/view/8713

Badriyah, Setiyo, R. D., Firdausi, Z. El, Nuqia, K., Mahardika, I. K., & Baktiarso, S. (2023). Manfaat phet simulasi dalam menopang sarana dan prasarana. Jurnal Ilmiah Wahana Pendidikan, 9(2), 84–90. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7564905

Banda, H. J., & Nzabahimana, J. (2021). Effect of integrating physics education technology simulations on students’ conceptual understanding in physics: A review of literature. Physical Review Physics Education Research, 17(2), 23108. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.17.023108

Banda, H. J., & Nzabahimana, J. (2023). The impact of physics education technology (phet) interactive simulation-based learning on motivation and academic achievement among malawian physics students. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 32(1), 127–141. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-022-10010-3

Bangun, F. B., Sakdiah, H., Safriana., W., & Ayunda, D. S. (2024). Penerapan Problem based learning berbantuan virtual lab phet pada pembelajaran fisika guna meningkatkan pemahaman konsep siswa. Jurnal Edu Research, 1(1), 4–6.

Budi, A. S., Sari, S. W., Sanjaya, L. A., Wibowo, F. C., Astra, I. M., Puspa, R. W., ... & Pertiwi, W. A. (2021). PhET-assisted electronic student worksheets of physics (eSWoP) on heat for inquiry learning during covid. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2104(1), 012030. IOP Publishing.

Budi, A. S., Sari, S. W., & Astra, I. M. (2022). Electronic student worksheets of physics (eswop) berbantuan phet untuk pembelajaran inkuiri selama covid19. Journal of Innovation Research and Knowledge, 2(4), 993–998.

Dewi, P. Y. A., & Primayana, K. H. (2019). Effect of learning module with setting contextual teaching and learning to increase the understanding of concepts. International journal of education and learning, 1(1), 19-26.

Fatimah, Z., Rizaldi, D. R., Jufri, A. W., & Jamaluddin. (2020). Model inkuiri terbimbing berbantuan laboratorium virtual untuk meningkatkan keterampilan proses sains. Jurnal Pendidikan, Sains, Geologi, Dan Geofisika, 1(2), 28–32. https://doi.org/10.29303/goescienceedu.v1i2.45

Gunawan, G., Nisrina, N., Suranti, N. M. Y., Herayanti, L., & Rahmatiah, R. (2018). Virtual laboratory to improve students’ conceptual understanding in physics learning. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1108(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1108/1/012049

Hermawati, Lyesmaya, D., & Wardana, A. E. (2019). Penerapan model numbered heads together (nht) untuk meningkatkan pemahaman konsep ips di kelas tinggi. Jurnal Penelitian Dan Pengembangan Sains Dan Teknologi, 13(2), 149–156.

Isti’anah, Zaini, T. B., & Ilmiati, A. (2024). Implementasi strategi minds untuk meningkatkan pemahaman dalam pembelajaran fisika pada siswa smp. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Berbasis Pesantren Dan Madrasah, 3(1), 79–87.

Jusman, Rafiqah, Jawil, H., & Hajeriati. (2024). Pengaruh model pembelajaran quantum teaching terhadap pemahaman konsep fisika. Jurnal Pendidikan Fisika, 10(2), 171–175. https://doi.org/10.36418/syntax-literate.v9i3.15418

Kallesta, Karmila Suhaida. Erfan, M. (2017). Analisis faktor penyebab kesulitan belajar ipa fisika pada materi bunyi. Junal Pendidikan Fisika, 1(1), 1–13.

Lubis, M., Makwana, D., & Makwana, G. (2025). Developing physics concept understanding skills: The role of interactive media in junior high schools. Assyfa Learning Journal, 3(1), 57–68. https://doi.org/10.61650/alj.v3i1.619

Mahtari, S., Wati, M., Hartini, S., Misbah, M., & Dewantara, D. (2020). The effectiveness of the student worksheet with PhET simulation used scaffolding question prompt. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1422(1), 012010. IOP Publishing.

Masita, S. I., Donuata, P. B., Ete, A. A., & Rusdin, M. E. (2020). Penggunaan phet simulation dalam meningkatan pemahaman konsep fisika peserta didik. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan Fisika, 5(2), 136. https://doi.org/10.36709/jipfi.v5i2.12900

Maulani, R. N., Wati, M., Misbah, M., Dewantara, D., & Mahtari, S. (2018). The development of the PhET learning program's learning support worksheet. Proceedings of the Universitas Negeri Surabaya Physics Seminar, 2, 105-110.

Mayanti, A., Poluakan, C., & Tumimomor, F. R. (2022). Pengaruh model problem based learning (pbl) menggunakan metode demonstrasi dan eksperimen pada pembelajaran fisika tentang hukum newton. Jurnal Pendidikan Fisika, 3(1), 9–14. https://doi.org/10.53682/charmsains.v3i1.144

Natifa, R., Aulia, S., Muazaroh, S., & Laras, W. (2024). Efektivitas pembelajaran berbasis computer simulation terhadap hasil belajar peserta didik. Journal of Creative and Innovative Research, 1(3), 75–83.

Ningsih, F. N. (2022). Analysis of students’ concession understanding ability in solving physics concepts. International Journal of Education and Teaching Zone, 1(1), 26–33. https://doi.org/10.57092/ijetz.v1i1.8

Nurulhidayah, M. R., Lubis, P. H. M., & Ali, M. (2020). Pengaruh model pembelajaran discovery learning menggunakan media simulasi PhET terhadap pemahaman konsep fisika siswa. Jurnal Pendidikan Fisika, 8(1), 95–103. https://doi.org/10.24127/jpf.v8i1.2461

Puri, P. R. A., & Perdana, R. (2023). Analisis kemampuan pemahaman konsep fisika peserta didik sma di bantul pada materi fluida statis dan upaya peningkatannya melalui model pembelajaran visualization auditory kinesthetic. Jurnal Inovasi Pembelajaran Fisika UNWIRA, 1(2), 93–101. https://doi.org/10.30822/magneton.v1i2.2463

Puspitasari, R., Mufit, F., & Asrizal. (2021). Conditions of learning physics and students’ understanding of the concept of motion during the covid-19 pandemic. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1876(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1876/1/012045

Putranta, H., & Supahar. (2019). Development of physics-tier tests (PysTT) to measure students’ conceptual understanding and creative thinking skills: A qualitative synthesis. Journal for the Education of Gifted Young Scientists, 7(3), 747–775. https://doi.org/10.17478/jegys.587203

Rafiqah, Ikbal, M. S., & Budiarti, A. (2022). Analisis intensitas pemanfaatan laboratorium dan dampaknya terhadap pembelajaran fisika di sma negeri se-kabupaten luwu timur. Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Fisika, 6(2), 247–255. https://doi.org/10.20527/jipf.v6i2.4964

Rararati, P. A., Nuroso, H., & Kurniawan, A. F. (2025). Kajian literatur : Penggunaan simulasi phet dalam pembelajaran fisika. Jurnal Lontar Physics Today, 3(2), 45–54. https://doi.org/10.26877/lpt.v3i2.21838

Rasyid, F., Istiyono, E., Gunawan, C. W., & Kijambu, J. B. (2025). Developing and analyzing items of a physics conceptual understanding test on wave topics for high school students using the Rasch Model. Research and Evaluation in Education, 11(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.21831/reid.v11i1.75575

Ravi, A., & Polonia, B. S. E. (2022). Media pembelajaran virtual laboratory untuk meningkatkan kemampuan pemahaman konsep mahasiswa prodi pemeliharaan mesin. Jurnal Pendidikan Mipa, 12(3), 754–760. https://doi.org/10.37630/jpm.v12i3.680

Riduwan, D. (2018). Pengantar statistika sosial. Bandung: Alfabeta.

Rizaldi, D. R., Jufri, A. W., & Jamaluddin. (2020). PhET: Simulasi interaktif dalam proses pembelajaran fisika. Jurnal Ilmiah Profesi Pendidikan, 5(1), 10–14. https://doi.org/10.29303/jipp.v5i1.103

Rumakur, B. E., Kereh, C. T., & Latupeirissa, A. N. (2023). Efektivitas penggunaan phet sebagai media pembelajaran fisika untuk meningkatkan penguasaan materi fluida statis. Jurnal Riset Mahasiswa, 1(1), 23–32. https://doi.org/10.30598/atom.1.1.23-32

Salame, I. I., & Makki, J. (2021). Examining the use of phet simulations on students’ attitudes and learning in general chemistry ii. Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental and Science Education, 17(4), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.21601/ijese/10966

Sanimah, Haniyyah, U., & Rambe, I. W. (2024). Kajian kelebihan dan kelemahan penggunaan laboratorium virtual sebagai media pembelajaran ipa di smp. Jurnal Jeumpa, 11(1), 129–137. https://doi.org/10.33059/jj.v11i1.9815

Sugiana, I. N., Harjono, A., Sahidu, H., & Gunawan, G. (2016). Pengaruh model pembelajaran generatif berbantuan media laboratorium virtual terhadap penguasaan konsep fisika siswa pada materi momentum dan impuls. Jurnal Pendidikan Fisika Dan Teknologi, 2(2), 61–65. https://doi.org/10.29303/jpft.v2i2.290

Sugiyono. (2017). Metode penelitian pendidikan. Bandung: Alfabeta.

Theasy, Y., Bustan, A., & Nawir, M. (2021). Penggunaan media laboratorium virtual phet simulation untuk meningkatkan pemahaman konsep fisika mahasiswa pada mata kuliah eksperimen fisika sekolah. Variabel, 4(2), 39–45. https://doi.org/10.26737/var.v4i2.2607

Thees, M., Kapp, S., Strzys, M. P., Beil, F., Lukowicz, P., & Kuhn, J. (2020). Effects of augmented reality on learning and cognitive load in university physics laboratory courses. Computers in Human Behavior, 108, 106316.

Yalcin, O., & Emrahoğlu, N. (2017). Examining the high school students’ transfer levels of modern physics topics to daily life. Pegem Journal of Education & Instruction/Pegem Egitim ve Ögretim, 7(1).

Zahara, L., Suastra, I. W., Atmaja, A. W. T., & Tika, I. N. (2024). Perspektif filsafat pendidikan dalam mengembangkan pemahaman konsep fisika. Journal Education and Counseling, 5(1), 257–267.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20527/jipf.v9i3.16573