Analysis of the implementation of physics experiment learning from home on dynamic fluid materials in Surakarta during the COVID-19 pandemic

The study objectives are to determine (1) the effect of virtual experiment-based physics learning using PhET on students’ cognitive learning outcomes, (2) critical thinking skills, (3) creative thinking skills, and (4) knowing the differences in students’ cognitive learning outcomes using the PhET simulation learning method with conventional learning. This study uses qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative research by interviewing 10 MGMP Physics Teachers in Surakarta, consists of 125 students from SMA N 1 Surakarta, SMA Al-Islam 1 Surakarta, and SMA IT Nur Hidayah as an initial needs analysis. Then experimental research at SMA Negeri 1 Surakarta. The population is class XI MIPA SMAN 1 Surakarta for the 2021/2022 academic year. The sampling technique is cluster random sampling. The samples were 25 students of class XI MIPA 7 as the control class and 25 students of class XI MIPA as experimental class. The average pretest of experimental group was 67.75, and control group was 38.25, which showed that the student’s initial understanding of the dynamic fluid concept between the two classes was relatively low. Then the result obtained that experimental class students’ critical and creative thinking power is higher than control class. The average posttest of experimental class was 82.75, and control class was 58.25. The N-Gain result for experimental class is 0.52 in the medium, while the control class is 0.34 in low category. Then the implementation of virtual experimental method with PhET Colorado can improve students’ cognitive learning outcomes in Dynamic Fluid Materials are quite well applied compared to conventional methods.