Developing Interactive Learning Media by Using Genially for Students’ Reading Comprehension

Abstract

Reading comprehension is an important skill in English learning, but Grade X students may experience difficulties in understanding English texts, particularly in identifying the main idea, finding specific information, understanding unfamiliar vocabulary, identifying relationships between information, and making inferences. This study aimed to develop interactive learning media by using Genially for Grade X students’ reading comprehension. The study employed a Research and Development (R&D) design adapted from Borg and Gall, consisting of six stages: gathering information and data, analyzing data, designing materials, validation by expert, revising materials, and final product. The data were obtained from a needs-analysis questionnaire administered to 30 Grade X students and a semi-structured interview with an English teacher at SMA Santo Yoseph Medan. The questionnaire was organized based on Hutchinson and Waters’ framework of necessities, lacks, wants, and learning needs. The findings showed that students needed support in several reading comprehension skills and wanted clear explanations, vocabulary support, interactive activities, visual materials, and feedback. Based on these findings, the researcher developed “Reading Adventure: Unlock the World,” an interactive Genially-based learning media containing five reading destinations, reading texts, comprehension activities, interactive navigation, visual materials, feedback, reward numbers, and a final challenge. Expert validation resulted in a score of 75 out of 92, or 81.52%, and the media was categorized as “Appropriate.” The product was then revised based on the expert’s suggestions to produce the final version.