Mentoring on the Use of Visual Media to Enhance Teachers' Pedagogical Competence in Science Lesson Design

Abstract

Teachers' limited proficiency in designing visual learning media has resulted in students' poor understanding of abstract Natural Science (IPA) concepts, particularly regarding the human skeletal system. This community service initiative aimed to enhance the pedagogical competence of fifth-grade teachers at SD Negeri Tunggulsari I, Surakarta City, in designing, developing, and implementing visual media for science instruction. The project employed a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach centered on the participating teachers, comprising stages of planning, training (workshops), classroom implementation support, observation, and reflection, conducted across two cycles of assistance. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in the teachers' ability to independently design and utilize visual media. This enhancement in teacher competence directly impacted student learning outcomes, with the class mastery rate rising from 71% in the first cycle to 85% in the second. The initiative concludes that sustained teacher training and mentoring programs are effective in addressing the gap in visual media utilization within primary schools. This community service contributes to the achievement of the fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 4): ensuring inclusive and quality education.