The Use of Educaplay Learning Media in Increasing Motivation and Understanding of Islamic Religious Education: A Qualitative Study at SDS 021 Best Agro International

Abstract

The low motivation and understanding of Islamic Religious Education (PAI) material among elementary school students is caused by the use of less engaging and interactive learning media. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of Educaplay learning media in improving motivation and understanding of PAI learning in elementary schools. This study employed a descriptive qualitative approach conducted at SDS 021 BEST AGRO INTERNASIONAL from October 2025 to January 2026. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation involving five fifth-grade students and the principal. The results showed that the use of Educaplay successfully enhanced learning motivation both intrinsically and extrinsically through interactive activities such as quizzes and educational games, with an average observation score of 10.2 out of 12 points. Students' understanding of PAI concepts, particularly worship and morals, also improved with an average assignment score of 82. Interviews with the principal revealed that Educaplay creates enjoyable, participatory, and digitally relevant learning experiences, although its implementation remains limited. Activity documentation shows that Educaplay integration encourages students to be more active and understand Islamic values contextually. These findings confirm that the use of educational game-based media can be a strategic alternative for PAI teachers in increasing students' interest and deepening their understanding of Islamic teachings, while enriching theoretical studies on the effectiveness of interactive media in religious learning at the elementary school level.