The Utilization of Google Earth in Improving Elementary School Students’ Understanding of Environmental Concepts

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the use of Google Earth in improving elementary school students' understanding of environmental concepts. The background of this study is the low level of student understanding of environmental materials due to conventional learning methods that do not use interactive digital media. The use of technology-based media such as Google Earth is expected to provide a more concrete, interesting, and contextual learning experience for students. This study used a quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental method with a pretest-posttest control group design. The subjects were fifth-grade elementary school students who were divided into an experimental class and a control class. The research instruments included an environmental concept understanding test, a student activity observation sheet, and a questionnaire about student responses to the learning media. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests to determine differences in learning outcomes between the two groups. The results showed that the use of Google Earth had a positive effect on elementary school students' understanding of environmental concepts. Students in the experimental class showed a greater increase in learning outcomes than students in the control class. Furthermore, the use of this media increased students' learning motivation, active participation, and the ability to observe environmental phenomena visually and realistically. Based on these findings, Google Earth is effective as an innovative learning medium to improve understanding of environmental concepts among elementary school students. This media can function as an alternative technology-based learning tool that supports interactive, contextual, and meaningful science learning.