Embedding Cultural Heritage in Digital Learning: A Gamified Augmented Reality Ethnomathematics Comic for Improving Primary Students’ Numeracy

Abstract

Strengthening numeracy skills in elementary schools requires contextual, engaging, and culturally-rooted learning innovations. The integration of ethnomathematics and digital technology is a strategic approach to connecting mathematical concepts with students' real-life experiences. This study aims to develop gamified ethnomathematics comics and Augmented Reality (AR) as interactive digital learning media to improve the numeracy skills of elementary school students. The research used the Borg and Gall development method, which includes the stages of needs analysis, design, expert validation, limited testing, revision, and extensive testing. Needs analysis was conducted in three regions—Gresik, Sidoarjo, and Surabaya involving teachers and students from six elementary schools to identify learning media needs that are appropriate to local cultural characteristics. The results of the analysis showed the need for media that is interactive, visual, and able to link the cultural context of the region with numeracy material. Based on these findings, an ethnomathematics comic was developed that combines local cultural narratives with AR technology to display three-dimensional objects and gamification elements to increase learning motivation. Trials were conducted in three schools (SD Hang Tuah X Juanda, SDN Ketintang 4, and UPT SDN 152 Gresik) involving fifth-grade students. Data were obtained through expert validation, implementation observation, response questionnaires, and numeracy tests, which were analyzed descriptively and quantitatively. The results showed that the media had very high validity (average >85%), high practicality, and significant effectiveness in improving students' numeracy skills. The integration of culture, AR technology, and gamification proved to be able to build learning engagement, strengthen conceptual understanding, and foster students' intrinsic motivation. These findings confirm that the development of ethnomathematics-based learning media and digital technology has the potential to be an innovative solution to strengthen 21st-century numeracy literacy in Indonesian elementary schools.