Improving understanding of place value of numbers through the STAD type cooperative learning model and media stick box

The background of this research highlights that students often struggle to understand the place value of numbers, as each digit in a number represents a value based on its position. This challenge arises because the learning process lacks the use of engaging media and relies heavily on one-way interactions. To address this issue, a teaching approach that incorporates media and promotes active student involvement is required. This research implements the STAD-type cooperative learning model assisted by a stick box to enhance students' understanding of place value concepts. The study employs a quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group design method, with fifth-grade students from public elementary schools in North Sumedang District as the population. The primary research instrument is an essay test designed to measure conceptual understanding, supplemented by non-test instruments such as observations and questionnaires to collect additional data. The findings indicate that the STAD-type cooperative learning model assisted by a stick box significantly improves students' understanding of the place value concept, with a gain score of 0.746 categorized as high. In contrast, the conventional learning model resulted in a gain score of 0.178, categorized as low. Thus, it can be concluded that there is a significant difference in conceptual understanding of place value between students who learn using the STAD-type cooperative model with stick box assistance and those who engage in conventional learning methods.