Abstract
Abstract concepts in mathematics, such as probability, often present significant challenges for students, impacting their comprehension and problem-solving abilities. This study investigated the effectiveness of digitized comics as strategic intervention materials (SIMs) to improve students' skills in solving probability-based word problems. The research aimed to make learning accessible, reduce math anxiety, and enhance student motivation by integrating complex mathematical concepts into visually engaging, story-driven comic formats. The study employed a mixed-methods design, collecting both quantitative and qualitative data to examine the impact of comic-based SIMs on student learning outcomes. Quantitative data, gathered from pre-test and post-test scores of control and experimental groups, showed a statistically significant improvement in performance for students utilizing the comics. The experimental group achieved a post-test mean score of 20.07 (Very Satisfactory) compared to the control group’s 11.67 (Fairly Satisfactory). Furthermore, the experimental group’s mean gain score (14.93) was notably higher than the control group’s (6.33), with a statistically significant difference (t=7.82, p<0.001), confirming the SIM's effectiveness in enhancing problem-solving abilities. Qualitative data indicated that students experienced reduced math anxiety and increased interest through comics-based learning, which also facilitated the recall and application of problem-solving strategies. However, challenges in mathematical reasoning persisted, and student feedback highlighted areas for improvement, including the incorporation of more color, summaries, diverse problem types, and additional practice problems. The study concluded that digitized comics are an effective tool for enhancing both cognitive and affective aspects of learning probability. The findings underscored the effectiveness of SIMs that combine visual and narrative elements, validating comics as a powerful tool for supporting learning in mathematics. Integrating comic-based SIMs into the mathematics curriculum presents a promising strategy for improving student engagement and comprehension in challenging subjects like the probability of random variables.
