This study aims to analyze students' difficulties in understanding algebraic concepts in the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum. This type of research uses a descriptive research method with a qualitative approach. Data collection techniques include interviews, questionnaires, and three written tests. Based on the results of interviews and questionnaires conducted by teachers with the school principal and mathematics teachers, the school has implemented the Merdeka Curriculum despite limitations in resources. The Merdeka Curriculum contributes to teachers in terms of teaching modules and freedom in creativity in learning, although training is still needed. The results of the student questionnaire indicate that the majority of students have difficulty understanding algebra, especially in identifying variables, but the majority of students feel that classroom learning is interactive and enjoyable. Most students feel helped by the example questions provided by the teacher. The written test results show that students have difficulty with the use of positive and negative signs, coefficients, constants, algebraic operations, and determining variable values. This indicates that the majority of students have not yet achieved mastery of the algebra material. It can be concluded that the implementation of the independent curriculum at SMP IT Az-Zahira Khatulistiwa supports teachers in the algebra learning process through the use of teaching modules, but students still struggle to understand algebraic concepts due to the limited use of educational media, which is constrained by the school's facilities.

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan Filter Game Edukasi Berbasis Instagram untuk siswa kelas VII SMP Negeri 2 Ketapang yang mencapai tingkat kevalidan, kepraktisan, dan keefektifan. Penelitian dengan model rancangan pengembangan ADDIE, yang terdiri atas lima tahapan pokok, yaitu analisys (analisis), design (perancangan), development (pengembangan), implementation (penerapan), dan evaluation (evaluasi). Subjek dalam penelitian ini terdiri dari ahli (validator) yaitu validator materi dan validator media. Serta subjek uji coba penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas VII SMP sebanyak 16 orang.Cara pemilihan sampel menggunakan Sampling Purposive. Tingkat kevalidan filter game edukasi berbasis Instagram mencapai kriteria sangat valid dengan kevalidan materi mencapai 87,62% dan kevalidan media mencapai 86,11%. Tingkat kepraktisan filter game edukasi berbasis Instagram mencapai kriteria sangat praktis melalui angketrespon guru yang mecapai 85% dan angket respon siswa mencapai 86%. Selanjutnya tingkat keefektifan filter game edukasi berbasis Instagram melalui validasi empiris dengan kriteria tergolong tinggi dan sangat tinggi, indeks kesukaran dengan kriteria tergolong sedang, daya pembeda dengan kriteria tergolong baik dan sangat baik, dan reliabilitas mencapai 0,84 kriteria tergolong sangat tinggi.
 
 

The research method used in this research is Research and Development. The subjects in this study consisted of validation subjects consisting of material and media validators and test subjects consisting of 23 grade VII junior high school students. The research was conducted at SMP Negeri 10 Sungai Kakap. The instruments used in the study consisted of expert validation sheets, respondent questionnaires, and tests of mathematical understanding abilities. The purpose of this study was to determine the process of developing an Android-based math educational game using software construct 2 on mathematical abilities. The results of the study are as follows: The level of feasibility of an Android-based math education game using software construct 2 on the ability to understand the results obtained is 88.66% with very feasible criteria. The level of attractiveness of an Android-based math education game using software construct 2 on the ability to understand the results obtained is 88.19% with very interesting criteria. Improved mathematical understanding skills after the application of Android-based math education games. There is an increase From the calculation results obtained tcount> ttable = 8.85987> 1.71714, thus Ho is rejected Ha accepted.