Development of Interactive Digital Comics Based on Canva as a Learning Medium for the Theme “Die Schule” for German Reading Skills at High School Level A1

Abstract

Technological developments and the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum demand innovative and student-centered German language learning. Reading skills Lesefertigkeit at the A1 level require media capable of presenting texts contextually and engagingly through dialogues and visual illustrations. This study aims to describe the development process and determine the feasibility of Canva-based interactive digital comics with the theme Die Schule as a learning medium for A1-level German reading in senior high schools. The method used is Research and Development (R&D) with the ADDIE model, limited to the Development stage. The development phases include the analysis of learning needs, the design of the digital comic structure consisting of several episodes, and the development of the Canva-based interactive medium equipped with dialogues, visual illustrations, navigation, and reading comprehension exercises. The feasibility of the media was assessed through validation by material and media experts using a Likert scale. The results show that the medium is categorized as "very feasible," with a percentage of 98% from material experts and 94% from media experts. The media is considered appropriate for student characteristics, engaging, easy to use, and supportive of contextual text comprehension. Thus, Canva-based interactive digital comics can serve as an effective alternative learning medium to enhance A1-level German reading skills in senior high schools.

Keywords: digital comic, Canva, German A1, Reading skills, German as Foreign Language