Penerapan Simulasi Digital PhET untuk Meningkatkan Pemahaman Konsep Konsep IPA pada Siswa Kelas Tinggi Sekolah Dasar

Abstract

Science education in elementary schools requires instructional media capable of visualizing abstract concepts in a concrete and engaging manner. However, in practice, students often remain passive and have limited opportunities for hands-on experimentation. PhET Interactive Simulations offer an alternative that provides an interactive learning experience through virtual experiments. This study aims to identify the challenges associated with implementing PhET Interactive Simulations in elementary science education and to analyze their effectiveness in enhancing students' understanding of science concepts. A literature review of 15 journals published between 2016 and 2025 was conducted to examine how the use of PhET contributes to students' conceptual understanding. The findings indicate that PhET simulations effectively help students grasp abstract science concepts through dynamic visualizations and virtual experiments, thereby improving learning outcomes, scientific literacy, and critical thinking skills. Furthermore, PhET simulations hold significant potential for supporting innovative science instruction. Nevertheless, challenges such as limited technological resources, low teacher digital literacy, and issues regarding student learning autonomy require attention.