Implementation of the Ulul Azmi Prophet Story Card Game as a Learning Medium to Strengthen Students’ Understanding of Prophet History in Islamic Religious Education for Eighth-Grade Students at SMPN 4 Jiken

Abstract

This study aims to describe the implementation of the "Stories of the Ulul Azmi Prophets" card game in Islamic Religious Education (PAI) instruction, assess changes in students' understanding following the use of the media, and identify the advantages and challenges associated with its application. A descriptive approach was employed, involving 16 eighth-grade students from SMPN 4 Jiken. Data were collected through pre- and post-instruction tests, observations, and interviews. The results indicate that the "Stories of the *Ulul Azmi* Prophets" card game can be implemented through activities such as grouping, explaining game rules, using cards as information sources, conducting discussions, and performing evaluations. There was a shift in student learning mastery: the number of students achieving the Minimum Mastery Criterion (KKM) rose from 9 (56.25%) before using the media to 13 (81.25%) afterward—an increase of 25 percentage points. The card game media also helped boost student engagement and attentiveness, facilitated material retention, created an enjoyable learning atmosphere, and fostered collaboration. Challenges identified included time constraints, classroom management, disparities in student abilities, and the need for media preparation. Although learning outcomes improved following the media's implementation, these findings do not conclusively demonstrate a strong cause-and-effect relationship, as the study lacked a control group and involved a limited number of participants. Future research is recommended to involve larger samples and utilize comparative or quasi-experimental designs.