The Effectiveness of Using the Edcafe Website in Improving Students’ Learning Outcomes in Visual Arts At UPT SMP Negeri 2 Kulo

Abstract

The integration of digital learning platforms into classroom instruction has become increasingly important for improving students' engagement and academic achievement. However, conventional teaching approaches and limited use of interactive learning media continue to present challenges in visual arts education, particularly in facilitating students' understanding of artistic concepts. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the Edcafe website in improving students' learning outcomes in Visual Arts at UPT SMP Negeri 2 Kulo, Sidenreng Rappang Regency, Indonesia. A quantitative approach employing a one-group pretest–posttest design was implemented. The research participants consisted of 42 eighth-grade students from classes VIII.1 and VIII.2, selected through total sampling. Data were collected through achievement tests, observations, questionnaires, and documentation. The intervention involved integrating Edcafe into visual arts instruction through digital learning materials, visual presentations, interactive quizzes, and learning assessments. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted to compare students' achievement before and after the intervention. The findings revealed that the mean pretest score was 49.64, increasing to 86.19 in the posttest, representing an improvement of 36.55 points. The highest posttest score was 95, while the lowest was 80, indicating that all participants achieved the minimum learning achievement criterion of 80. Students also reported positive perceptions of the platform, particularly regarding accessibility, motivation, and understanding of learning materials. These findings suggest that Edcafe-supported instruction was associated with substantial improvements in students' visual arts achievement. Nevertheless, the absence of a control group limits causal interpretation. The study highlights the potential of interactive web-based learning environments to support visual arts education and recommends further controlled investigations to establish their comparative effectiveness.