MATHEMAHIKA: Effectiveness of Digital Audio-Animated Comics (DigACom) for Grade 7 Mathematics

This study developed and evaluated Digital Audio-Animated Comics (DigACom), titled Mathemahika, as a supplementary instructional intervention targeting Grade 7 students’ least mastered competencies in Mathematics, specifically operations on integers, operations on rational numbers, and estimation of square roots. Employing a developmental and quasi-experimental research design, 60 Grade 7 students were divided into an experimental group that utilized DigACom and a comparison group that relied on conventional self-learning modules. The developed materials were assessed by seven expert jurors and received passing ratings across content, instructional, and technical quality indicators. Findings revealed that both groups exhibited gains in conceptual understanding, however, the experimental group obtained significantly higher posttest scores than the comparison group, with a statistically significant difference (p < .01) and a large effect size (d = 4.27). In addition, learners exposed to DigACom showed more pronounced improvements in mathematical disposition, particularly in confidence, attitude, perceived usefulness, motivation, and belief. A strong positive association was also identified between conceptual understanding and mathematical disposition (r = .84). These results indicate that DigACom may function as an effective supplementary learning resource for enhancing conceptual understanding while simultaneously supporting the development of favorable mathematical dispositions among Grade 7 learners. Further research is recommended to investigate its applicability across wider learner populations and additional mathematical competencies.