Developing Qurban Explorer: An Android-Based Interactive Application to Enhance Religious Literacy in Islamic Religious Education

Abstract

The development of digital technology demands innovative learning media that can bridge the needs of 21st-century learners. Islamic Religious Education, particularly the topic of Qurban, is still largely delivered conventionally, making it less engaging and suboptimal in enhancing religious literacy and understanding the meaning of Qurban. This study aims to develop and test the effectiveness of the Qurban Explorer application as an interactive learning media to improve student learning outcomes, motivation, and engagement. This research employs a research and development (R&D) method using a simplified Borg and Gall model with five stages: (1) drafting the product, including Qurban materials, learning videos, concept maps, Qurban Adventure, quizzes, games, and a digital dictionary of Qurban terms; (2) validation by subject matter and media experts; (3) prototype development; (4) limited testing in two fifth-grade classes at SDN 1 Jenangan (experimental and control classes); and (5) final product refinement. The research design uses a pretest–posttest control group design. Research instruments include validation questionnaires for media and subject matter experts, user experience questionnaires, and student creativity questionnaires. The validation results indicate that the media falls into the “very feasible” category, with a feasibility percentage of 89% from subject matter experts and 87% from media experts. Field testing results showed an improvement in student understanding, with average post-test scores higher than pre-test scores. This Android-based application is considered effective, engaging, and facilitates independent and interactive learning. Therefore, Qurban Explorer is deemed feasible, practical, and effective as a learning media for Islamic Religious Education on Qurban, and it is relevant to the demands of 21st-century education.