Deep learning-based e-math comic: Development and its impact on students’ numeracy skills

Mathematics learning in elementary schools still faces obstacles in encouraging students to be actively involved in activities aimed at meaningfully developing numeracy skills. This situation calls for urgent research to develop and test the effectiveness of an E-Math Comic based on deep learning as an innovative learning medium designed to develop numeracy skills contextually and adaptively. This research design is an R&D project using the ADDIE framework. The E-Math Comic media innovation was developed using deep learning principles to adapt the presentation of material, learning activities, and self-reflection based on students’ needs and characteristics. The implementation of E-Math Comic was conducted using a quasi-experimental design with a non-equivalent control group and pretest and posttest. The study included 114 fourth-grade students from 6 schools, with 55 in the experimental group and 59 in the control group. The results showed that E-Math Comic was successfully developed with high validity based on expert assessment and received positive feedback from teachers and students for ease of use and media appeal. Inferential statistical analysis showed an increase in students’ numeracy skills in the experimental group compared to the control group, with the improvement categorized as moderate. The results of this research indicate that the deep learning-based E-Math Comic is an effective digital learning medium and can support more adaptive, reflective, and meaningful mathematics learning. This study recommends the use of modern technology-based learning media as a strategic alternative to strengthen elementary school students' numeracy skills. The findings confirm that integrating digital technology into mathematics learning has the potential to support a more interactive and adaptive learning process, thereby helping students develop numeracy skills more meaningfully, particularly in the context of inclusive mathematics learning involving students with diverse learning characteristics.