Improving Beginning Reading Skills Through the Use of Digital Media Among First-Grade Students at SD Negeri 003 Sandaran, East Kutai Regency

Abstract

This study aimed to improve beginning reading skills among first-grade students through the use of Smart TV-based audiovisual media and to describe changes in students’ participation during the learning process. The study employed Classroom Action Research (CAR) based on the Kemmis and McTaggart model and was conducted in two cycles, each consisting of planning, action, observation, and reflection. The participants were 25 first-grade students at SD Negeri 003 Sandaran, East Kutai Regency, who constituted the action class and unit of analysis. Data were collected through beginning reading assessments, observations of teacher and student activities, and documentation. The data were analyzed using quantitative descriptive analysis by calculating students’ mean scores and the percentage of students who achieved the Learning Objective Achievement Criteria (KKTP) of 75, supported by descriptive observations of classroom participation. The results demonstrated a progressive improvement in students’ beginning reading skills across the action cycles. During the pre-action stage, 4 of 25 students (16%) achieved the KKTP. Following Cycle I, the number increased to 13 students (52%), and by Cycle II, 21 students (84%) had achieved the criterion. Classroom observations also indicated increased active participation during learning activities. These findings indicate that the systematic use of Smart TV-based audiovisual media within the classroom action cycles contributed to improved beginning reading skills and greater student participation among first-grade students at SD Negeri 003 Sandaran.