USE OF HERBARIUM MEDIA TO IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING OF THE CLASSIFICATION OF LIVING THINGS

Abstract

This research is motivated by students' low understanding of the classification of living things in science subjects, especially in identifying the characteristics of plants and grouping living things based on their characteristics. The learning process is still dominated by lecture methods, causing students to be less active and have difficulty understanding concrete learning objects. One alternative solution that can be applied is the use of herbarium media as a learning medium that allows students to directly observe preserved plant specimens. This study aims to improve students' understanding of the classification of living things through the use of herbarium media. This study uses a Classroom Action Research (CAR) approach implemented in two cycles, where each cycle consists of planning, action implementation, observation, and reflection. The research subjects were 30 seventh grade junior high school students. Data collection techniques were carried out through tests, observations, interviews, and documentation. Data were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative descriptive techniques. The results showed that the use of herbarium media was able to improve students' understanding, indicated by an increase in the average score from 64.8 in the pre-cycle to 74.6 in the first cycle and increasing to 85.2 in the second cycle. The percentage of learning completion increased from 40% to 86.67%.