PERCEPTIONS AND VISUAL EXPERIENCES OF JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS USING DIGITAL COMICS FOR ILLUSTRATION LEARNING

Abstract

The development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has encouraged the use of digital learning media in education. In art education, particularly illustration at the junior high school level, visual media play a crucial role as they relate to students' perceptions and visual experiences. This study aims to analyze the perceptions and visual experiences of ninth-grade students regarding the use of digital comics and to examine the role of digital comics in supporting the understanding of illustration materials. The study employed a qualitative approach with ninth-grade students and art teachers at SMP Negeri 10 Semarang as subjects. Data were collected through questionnaires, observation, interviews, and documentation, and were analyzed using data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results indicate that students' perceptions and visual experiences of digital comics are generally positive in terms of visual appeal and ease of understanding illustration materials, although this interest does not always correspond to increased learning motivation and creative drawing engagement across all students. From the teachers' perspective, digital comics are perceived as a promising medium for supporting illustration learning aligned with students' characteristics, yet their effectiveness depends on the availability of facilities and appropriate teaching strategies.