Development and Evaluation of Digital Interactive Mendelian Genetics Comic Stories (DIMenGeComs) For Enhancing Conceptual Understanding of High School Students

The goal of this study is to amplify knowledge of Mendelian genetics, a difficult topic in Biology classes. The study used a multi-phase methodology, beginning with a needs assessment to identify teaching and learning challenges using structured surveys with teachers and students. The second phase integrated teacher and student feedback into developing a Digital Interactive Mendelian Comic Stories (DIMen Ge ComS) Intervention, utilizing a sequential explanatory mixed-methods research design following the ADDIE model. In the last stage, the intervention is implemented in a Grade 8 classroom, and the conceptual gain of the students is evaluated. Thematic analysis for qualitative insights, mean computation for rating scales, and normalized gain for quantitative assessment are examples of data analysis techniques used in the study. Moreover, ethically informed permission and participant anonymity were given top priority. The main objective is to develop and provide cutting-edge teaching tool that improves students’ comprehension of and interest in Mendelian genetics. The developed DIMenGeComS received an “Excellent†rating from the 7 Biology and Technology experts indicating that all areas of education and work are sufficiently covered by the DIMenGeComS, and the overall caliber of the material is excellent. Ergo, the current study suggested implementing the material and employing conceptual gains from a pre-and post-test before and after the utilization of the DIMenGeComS to assess students’ understanding of Mendelian genetics.